OH Practice Permit Test

The Ohio Graduated Driver’s Licensing Program requires teens to complete a series of steps to earn their full, unrestricted license. This process is designed to help teens gain valuable experience and knowledge so that the are prepared to an expansion of their driving privileges. The age requirements and levels of Ohio’s GDL program are:

• 15 ½ years old – Learner’s Permit (TIPIC – Temporary Instruction Permit Identification Card)
• 16 years old – Probationary Driver’s License
• 18 years old – Full, Unrestricted Driver’s License

Plan to present all of the following:

• Proof of identity
• Proof of birth date
• Proof of Social Security Number
• Proof of legal presence
• $22 permit fee

Here is what Ohio considers acceptable documents to submit as proof of the above. In addition to you submitting proof, your parent or legal guardian will also need to submit two proofs of identity.

You should file your application at a local office of the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).

Call (844) 644-6268 or visit https://bmv.ohio.gov/about-contact.aspx to find office locations and contact information.

Yes, Ohio requires new teen drivers to complete a driver’s ed course that has 24 hours of classroom instruction and 8 hours of behind-the-wheel training.

To transfer an out-of-state driver’s license to Ohio, visit a local BMV office with proper identification, your out-of-state license, proof of driver’s ed completion and cash for the license fee, which can range from $24.25 if you are 16 to $23 if you are 17 to $21.75 if you are 18.

The Ohio written test covers state driving regulations and road signs. All questions are derived from the state Driver’s Manual, which is officially called The Digest of Ohio Motor Vehicle Laws. Here are two examples of content from the manual that might be tested for on the written exam:

• A left turn on red may be made only from the extreme left lane of a one-way street to the extreme left lane of another one-way street, providing there is no sign posted forbidding a left turn on red.

• The importance of merge and pavement width transition signs is to warn traffic by the use of arrows to illustrate the changes in traffic patterns.

The test is presented in multiple choice format.

There are no trick questions on the test, only questions designed to ensure you have the knowledge to drive safely in the state of Ohio. All questions are drawn from the state Driver’s Manual so you should study the digest thoroughly.

There are two sections consisting of 20 questions each. You must get at least 15 questions (75%) correct in each section to pass. The two sections are traffic laws and road signs.

Study every page of the Ohio Digest to ensure you have the knowledge to pass. To verify your knowledge level, take practice tests online. This can be a great way to identify weak areas so that you can devote more study time to getting stronger in those areas.

Click on the following link to get a free copy of The Digest of Ohio Motor Vehicle Laws.

When studying the digest take special note of distances, lengths and measurements and try to memorize them. Also, be sure to study the driving under the influence section and memorize the meaning of road signs. To better familiarize yourself with what is on the test, take a practice test.

Read over the digest one more time and study the road signs to be sure you have them all committed to memory. You can then take a practice test or tests to verify your knowledge. Finally, you should try to get a good night’s sleep so that you are well-rested and thinking your best come test time.

Contact your local BMV office to see if appointments are accepted and, if they are, it is recommended that you make one.

You will take the test at a local BMV office.

• Proof of identity
• Proof of birth date
• Proof of Social Security Number
• Proof of legal presence
• $22 permit fee

Here is what Ohio considers acceptable documents to submit as proof of the above.

You should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Yes, you will need to pay a $22 permit fee.

You will be given two sets of 20 questions each. One set of questions will be on road signs and the other set will be on traffic laws. You need to answer at least 15 questions in each section correctly in order to pass. When taking the test you cannot refer to any notes or to the driver’s manual. To better familiarize yourself with the test, take a practice test.

You will receive your Learner’s Permit and can begin supervised driving practice. You need to complete 50 hours of driving practice, with 10 of those hours coming at night.

You can retake the test.

You must wait at least 24 hours before retaking the test.

You can now begin supervised driving practice with a parent, guardian or licensed driving instructor. You must log 50 hours of driving practice in all, with 10 of those hours completed at night.

You can apply for a probationary license when you are at least 16; when you’ve had your Learner’s Permit for at least six months; when you have completed driver’s ed; and when you have logged 50 hours of supervised driving practice.

Yes, you can drive on any Ohio public road or street. Remember, you must be accompanied by a licensed supervising driver.

No, Ohio also requires you to log at least 10 hours of driving practice at night.

You must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or licensed driving instructor.

To replace a lost or stolen permit, visit your local BMV office with proper identification. You will also need $24.50 for the permit replacement fee.

Practice both common driving maneuvers as well as driving defensively in traffic. When you can do both of these things with skill you will be prepared to pass the test. This means you should practice stopping, backing, turning and parking. You should also regularly use defensive driving skills like checking mirrors, signaling and following at a safe distance.

Yes, the driving test may include such maneuvers as stopping and starting; turning around; backing; making proper left and right turns; giving hand signals or using mechanical turn signals; driving in the proper lane; and maintaining a safe following distance.

If you cones or something similar and access to a vacant parking lot you can set up your own maneuverability course. See pages 9 and 10 in The Digest of Ohio Motor Vehicle Laws to see how to set up the course. You should also practice driving in traffic, where you should be focused on safe driving techniques and obeying road signs.

A driving test can be scheduled Online, by contacting a driver exam station or by calling (614) 752-7600.

You will take the test a local driver exam station.

Bring the following to your driving test:

• A well-maintained car with registration and proof of insurance
• A driver’s education completion certificate
• Your Learner’s Permit (TIPIC)

Once you’ve passed the test, bring the following to any deputy registrar license agency:

• Learner’s Permit
• Probationary Driver’s License fee (16 – $24.25; 17 – $23; 18 – $21.75)

A licensed parent or legal guardian should bring you.

The driving test has two parts – driving and maneuverability. During the driving part you will be asked to stop and start; turn around and back up; perform turns; use vehicle turn signals; drive in the correct lane; and maintain a safe following distance. During the maneuverability part you will be asked to move forward and backward in a marked course.

Failure to maintain control of their vehicle in the maneuverability course; inability to back up in a straight line; nerves; distracted driving; and not listening to the examiner are all common reasons for failure.

• Not checking mirrors when turning or changing lanes
• Knocking over markers in the maneuverability course
• Failure to properly complete a three-point
• Failing to obey a road sign
• Following too closely

You will be allowed to retake the test.

You must wait seven days before retesting. After your fourth failure you will be asked to wait six months before retesting.

You will receive your Probationary Driver’s License.

• If you are 17 or 18, you can drive unsupervised except between the hours of 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.

• If you are under 17, you can drive unsupervised except between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m.

• If you are under 17, you can have no more than one passenger in your vehicle who is not a family member unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian

Minimum coverage required by Ohio’s Financial Responsibility Law is:

• Bodily injury – $12,500 per person and $25,000 per accident

• Property damage – $7,500 per accident

Note: These amounts are the bare minimum allowed by law in most cases you would need significantly more coverage to pay for a serious crash.

An Ohio Class D (operator) Driver’s License can be renewed at anytime; however, you renew more than 90 days in advance of the expiration date, the license will only be valid for three years instead of four. If you are under 21, your license will be valid until you turn 21 and then must be renewed within 30 days.

To replace a lost or stolen license, visit your local BMV office with proper identification. You will also need $24.50 for the license replacement fee.

You must renew your Ohio license in person at a local BMV office. The renewal fee is $25.75.

Yes, you are required to pass a vision test when renewing. when renewing in person you will need to take a vision test.

The minimum vision for most drivers to qualify for an unrestricted license is 20/40. The minimum requirement for an unrestricted license is 70 degrees of side vision in each eye.