Ohio Driver's Handbook 2026

i For additional information about Ohio’s BMV services, visit the BMV website at www.bmv.ohio.gov. ABOUT THIS MANUAL The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) oversees driver and motor vehicle licensing and registration among other services. We strive to make your experience with the BMV more convenient and efficient. The BMV offers the Ohio Driver Manual as a study guide for those needing an Ohio Driver License, required by law to drive a motor vehicle in Ohio, and sets out guidance on motor vehicle laws. This manual alone may not cover all applicable motor vehicle laws. The Ohio Driver Manual explains the general process for obtaining a Driver License and provides a summary of laws and safe driving practices. The manual is not a substitute for, and does not supersede, the Ohio Revised Code or the Ohio Administrative Code. The information in this manual is subject to change. Use the links provided throughout the manual to access additional resources. • Complete the knowledge test • Schedule a driving test • Save your place in line at a Deputy Registrar License Agency • Renew or reprint your Ohio Driver License or ID Card* BMV ONLINE SERVICES *Fees apply OHIO DRIVER MANUAL ii S ECTION 1: H OW TO G ET YOUR D RIVER L ICENSE Vision Screening and Knowledge Testing ....... 1 Temporary Instruction Permit Identification Card (TIPIC) ............................................................ 2 Driver Education Requirements (Under Age 21)....................................................... 3 Driver Education Requirements (Temporary Resident Age 21 and Older) .......... 3 Motorcycle Ohio.................................................... 3 S ECTION 2: B EFORE YOU D RIVE Inspecting Your Vehicle ....................................... 4 Driver Position: Seat and Mirror Adjustments .............................................. 5 Safety Restraints................................................... 6 S ECTION 3: B E A LERT Vision ...................................................................... 7 Fatigue .................................................................... 7 Aggressive Driving ............................................... 7 Distracted Driving ................................................. 7 Alcohol, Drugs, and Driving................................ 8 S ECTION 4: R ULES OF THE R OAD Speed Limits .......................................................... 9 Right-of-Way ........................................................ 10 Traffic Signals ...................................................... 10 Traffic Signs ......................................................... 11 Lane Pavement Markings.................................. 13 Two-Way Left Turn Only Lane .......................... 14 Crosswalks ........................................................... 14 S ECTION 5: L EARNING TO D RIVE Starting the Engine ............................................. 15 Moving the Vehicle ............................................. 15 Stopping the Vehicle .......................................... 15 Steering ................................................................ 16 Backing Up ........................................................... 16 Intersections and Turning ................................. 16 Roundabouts or Traffic Circles ......................... 18 Lane Travel ........................................................... 18 Changing Lanes .................................................. 19 Entering a Multi-Lane Highway ........................ 19 Exiting a Roadway .............................................. 19 Passing ................................................................. 20 Railroad Crossings.............................................. 21 Stopping for a School Bus ................................ 22 Parking .................................................................. 23 S ECTION 6: S TATE L AWS AND P ENALTIES Insurance - Financial Responsibility ................ 24 Alcohol, Drugs, and Driving.............................. 24 Penalties ............................................................... 26 Riding on the Outside of a Vehicle................... 27 Child Passenger Restraints/Safety Laws........ 27 S ECTION 7: S PECIAL D RIVING S ITUATIONS Police and Traffic Stops ..................................... 28 When to Use Headlights.................................... 28 Night Driving ....................................................... 28 Driving in Fog ...................................................... 29 Winter Driving ..................................................... 29 Work Zones .......................................................... 29 S ECTION 8: S AFE D RIVING T IPS Visual Search ....................................................... 30 Speed Management........................................... 30 Space Management ........................................... 31 Communicating .................................................. 32 Preventing Injury from Hot Vehicles ............... 33 S ECTION 9: S HARING THE R OAD Pedestrians .......................................................... 34 Motorcyclists ....................................................... 34 Bicyclists............................................................... 35 Commercial Vehicles ......................................... 36 Emergency Vehicles (Police, Fire, Medical Vehicles) ......................... 38 Move Over Laws ................................................. 38 Slow Moving Vehicles........................................ 38 S ECTION 10: E MERGENCY S ITUATIONS Avoiding Crashes ................................................ 39 Vehicle Malfunctions .......................................... 40 In the Event of a Crash ....................................... 41 S ECTION 11: TAKING THE D RIVING T EST Maneuverability and On-Road Skills Testing ........................................................ 42 Abbreviated Adult Driver Training Course .....44 S ECTION 12: PURCHASE YOUR D RIVER L ICENSE Purchasing Your Driver License ....................... 45 Renewing Your Driver License ......................... 47 Driver License Classes ....................................... 47 S ECTION 13: W HAT E LSE S HOULD I K NOW ? New Ohio Residents........................................... 50 Save Our Sight Fund .......................................... 50 Organ Donor Registry/Second Chance Trust Fund ............................................................ 50 Voter Registration ............................................... 50 ID R Kids ............................................................... 50 Next of Kin – Emergency Contact Information ............................................. 51 Living Will Designation...................................... 51 Armed Forces Designation ............................... 51 OHIO DRIVER MANUAL CONTENTS 1 OHIO DRIVER MANUAL • Read this manual in its entirety • Gather proof of identity documents using the Acceptable Documents List • Study this manual to pass the knowledge test (See Sections 2 through 10) • Get a Temporary Instruction Permit Identification Card (TIPIC) (See next page) • Complete a driver education training course and all required driving hours if one of the following applies: – Under age 21 – Temporary resident age 21 and older • Schedule and pass the driving test (maneuverability and on-road skills tests) (See Section 11) • Purchase your Driver License (See Section 12) VISION SCREENING AND KNOWLEDGE TESTING At age 15 years and six months, you meet the minimum age requirement to complete the vision screening and knowledge test. Vision Screening You must meet vision standards before you can get a Driver License. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them with you. Driving restrictions could apply based upon vision screening results. Knowledge Testing Study and learn all materials in this manual for the knowledge test. Use the online Sample Knowledge Test to see how the questions are asked. The test is 40 multiple-choice questions (with a 75% passage rate needed) and is available in American Sign Language (ASL), Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Haitian Creole, Japanese, Russian, Somali, and Spanish. You may use your own interpreter for all other languages by scheduling an appointment at a Driver Exam Station only. • If you pass – Go to a Deputy Registrar License Agency to purchase a Temporary Instruction Permit Identification Card (TIPIC) within 60 days of passing the test (see TIPIC information on the next page). • If you fail – You must wait one day before retesting. There is no limit on how many times you can take the knowledge test, but you can only take it once in a day. Knowledge Testing is available in the following ways: • Online through BMV Online Services (two attempts permitted in a six-month period). • In-person at a BMV Driver Examination Station (unlimited attempts, one per day). • In-person at select BMV Deputy Registrar License Agencies (unlimited attempts, one per day). Disability Accommodations: The BMV understands accommodations may be needed for an individual to complete a knowledge or skills test. Accommodations available upon request at the Driver Exam Station include an audio knowledge test, printed paper knowledge test, American Sign Language knowledge test, and visual instructions during driving test (exclusive to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing). To request accommodations not listed, e-mail the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s ADA Coordinators at HRRequestADA@dps.ohio.gov. IN SECTION 1: • VISION SCREENING & KNOWLEDGE TESTING • TEMPORARY INSTRUCTION PERMIT IDENTIFICATION CARD (TIPIC) • DRIVER EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THOSE UNDER AGE 21 • DRIVER EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR TEMPORARY RESIDENTS AGE 21 AND OLDER • MOTORCYCLE OHIO SECTION 1: How to Get Your Driver License 2 TEMPORARY INSTRUCTION PERMIT IDENTIFICATION CARD (TIPIC) – ORC 4507.05 Once you successfully complete the vision screening and knowledge test, visit a Deputy Registrar License Agency within 60 days to purchase a TIPIC. • If a TIPIC is not purchased within 60 days, the applicant must start over with the vision screening and knowledge test. • Applicants must present documents from the Acceptable Documents List to prove the following elements of identity: – Full legal name – Date of birth – Social Security number (if assigned) – Citizenship or legal presence – Ohio street address (two documents proving address are needed for a federally-compliant card) • If the applicant is under age 18, the applicant’s parent or guardian must be present to co-sign the TIPIC application. • If the applicant has an Ohio Identification (ID) card, it will be canceled when the TIPIC is issued. An Ohio resident may hold only one Driver License or ID card at a time. TIPIC Restrictions • Under age 16: If under age 16, the driver must have a parent, guardian, custodian, licensed driving instructor, or a person age 21 or older, who acts in loco parentis, occupying the front passenger seat beside the permit holder. • Age 16 to 17: Driving with any valid licensed driver, age 21 or older, in the front passenger seat is permitted, except from midnight to 6 a.m. when the driver must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or custodian who holds a valid Driver License. • Age 18 and over: Practice driving only if accompanied by a licensed driver age 21 or older. • All ages: – Drivers must carry the TIPIC at all times when driving. – The eligible adult in the front passenger seat shall not be intoxicated. – The driver and all passengers must wear safety belts. – Use of any mobile electronic device is prohibited while driving. – Total number of occupants in the vehicle cannot exceed the total number of safety belts installed in the vehicle. OHIO DRIVER MANUAL SECTION 1: How to Get Your License 3 DRIVER EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS (UNDER AGE 21) To obtain a Driver License, a driver under age 21 must meet these requirements: • Complete a driver education class at a licensed driver training school with 24 hours of classroom or online instruction, and 8 hours of driving time. • Complete and log 50 hours of driving with an eligible licensed driver (see TIPIC Restrictions on previous page), with at least 10 hours of night driving. • Hold the TIPIC for at least six months. (Applicable to drivers under age 18 ONLY.) DRIVER EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS (TEMPORARY RESIDENT AGE 21 AND OLDER) A temporary resident is a person who is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident under U.S. immigration laws, but who does have legal presence in the country. To obtain a Driver License, a driver that is a temporary resident age 21 or older must meet these requirements: • Complete a driver education class at a licensed driver training school with 24 hours of classroom or online instruction, and 8 hours of driving time. • Complete and log 50 hours of driving with a licensed driver age 21 or older, with at least 10 hours of night driving. • Hold the TIPIC for at least 14 days. If you are a temporary resident and currently hold an unexpired out of country license from Canada, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea or Taiwan, you are exempt from these requirements, and may obtain an Ohio driver license by presenting your current license at the time of application. Find a driving school and additional information at Ohio Driver Training (www.drivertraining.ohio.gov). MOTORCYCLE OHIO Obtain a motorcycle license or endorsement by completing a motorcycle skills test at a Driver Exam Station or completing the Motorcycle Ohio’s Basic Riding Skills Course. The Motorcycle Operator Manual (MOP 0001) provides further guidance to obtain a motorcycle endorsement. Enroll in a motorcycle training course and find more information at Motorcycle Ohio (www.motorcycle.ohio.gov). OHIO DRIVER MANUAL Section 1: How to Get Your License 4 OHIO DRIVER MANUAL INSPECTING YOUR VEHICLE When it comes to road safety, you cannot control other drivers or road conditions, but you can control your vehicle’s maintenance. Ensure your vehicle is safe for you and your passengers before you drive. Vehicle Equipment Regulations – ORC 4513 and OAC 4501:2-1 Ohio law states: “No person shall drive or move, or cause or knowingly permit to be driven or moved, on any highway any vehicle or combination of vehicles which is in such unsafe condition as to endanger any person.” Additionally, no vehicle is to be equipped with or permitted to have protruding objects, broken sharp edges, or vehicle parts that would be dangerous to a person coming in contact with them. Ohio law also defines the equipment required for vehicles and the conditions that equipment must meet. The average motor vehicle should have this equipment: • Steering assembly that operates normally, with no excessive play in the steering wheel • Tires with a minimum of 1/16-inch tread depth and no major bumps, bulges, or damage • At least two seat belts in the front seat • Brakes: – Service brake that is adequate to slow, stop, and control the vehicle – Parking brake that is adequate to hold the vehicle on a grade • Lights: – Two headlights, one on each side, in working order – Two red reflectors on the rear of the vehicle, visible from 300 feet – One taillight that emits red light, visible from 500 feet – Two red stop lights (brake lights) visible from 500 feet when the brakes are applied – White light to illuminate the rear license plate, visible from 50 feet • Turn signals in working order, visible from 300 feet: – Two at the front of the vehicle – Two at the rear of the vehicle • Windshield wipers in good working condition, able to clear precipitation from the windshield • Rear-view mirror providing an unobstructed view to the rear of the vehicle • Horn in good working order, audible from 200 feet, and identifiable as a motor vehicle horn • Exhaust system in good working order and constant operation • Window light transmission within the acceptable percentages: – Windshield: 70% light transmission (standard for most new cars) – Side windows of front seat: 50% light transmission, plus or minus 3% Does your vehicle have safety recalls? Search with your vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for recalls at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website: http://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls. IN SECTION 2: • INSPECTING YOUR VEHICLE -TIRES -LIGHTS • DRIVER POSITION: SEAT & MIRROR ADJUSTMENTS • SAFETY RESTRAINTS -AIR BAGS -SAFETY BELTS SECTION 2: Before You Drive 5 Tire Safety Crashes due to tire maintenance are preventable, and simple steps can save lives. Driving on underinflated or overinflated tires or tires with low tread can lead to safety issues on the road. Tire Inflation: • Maintain the tires at the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure level. The vehicle manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure, measured in PSI, is indicated on the door jamb. • Check tire pressure when the tires are the same temperature as the surrounding air. • Remove the cap from the valve stem and use a pressure gauge to check the tire pressure. • If the number is too low, inflate your tires to the correct level. If the number is too high, release air from the tire valve. Tire Tread Depth — A tire in safe condition has a minimum of 1/16-inch tread depth on the road surface and is free of major bumps or bulges, breaks, or tread damage. A common way to check tire tread depth is with a U.S. penny coin. Place the coin with President Abraham Lincoln’s head into the tire’s deepest groove. If you see all of the President’s head, your tires are too worn—don’t drive on them, and make sure to replace them. Studded Tires — In Ohio, studded tires are legal from November 1 through April 15. Know When to Use Your Lights Headlights — Ohio law requires headlights to be on sunset to sunrise, at any time visibility is poor (rain, snow, fog, etc.), and any time the windshield wipers are in use because of precipitation. High beam headlights can be used at any time headlights are used except when an oncoming vehicle is approaching. Turn Signals — Use the turn signals to show intention to turn right or left, to change course of direction, or to change lanes on a multi-lane road. Activate a turn signal at least 100 feet prior to changing direction. Hazard Lights — Use hazard lights to increase visibility of a vehicle stopped on or near a roadway. DRIVER POSITION: S EAT AND M IRROR A DJUSTMENTS Adjusting the Driver’s Seat — Practice good driving posture by sitting upright with your back against the seat and feet on the floor. Before driving, adjust the seat to have a clear view through the windshield and full control of the vehicle’s foot pedals and steering wheel, leaving appropriate space for airbag deployment. When your seat is adjusted properly: • Your foot pivots smoothly from brake to accelerator while your heel is kept on the floor. • The top of the steering wheel is no higher than the top of your shoulders and below chin level. • There is at least 10 inches between your chest and the steering wheel to allow appropriate space for airbag deployment. • Head restraints are adjusted so the head restraint contacts the back of your head and not below the level of your ears, to avoid whiplash. SECTION 2: Before You Drive OHIO DRIVER MANUAL 6 Adjusting the Mirrors — Before driving, adjust the mirrors for the best view towards the vehicle’s sides and rear. • Inside rear-view mirror: The rear-view mirror is the primary mirror for the view to the rear. Adjust so that it frames the rear window, and traffic flow to the vehicle’s rear appears in the mirror. • Outside mirrors: Properly adjusted outside mirrors reduce blind spots and provide maximum visibility to the side and rear on both sides of the vehicle. Reduce blind spots with these adjustments: – Left-side mirror:  Rest your head against the closed driver-side window  Adjust the mirror until the vehicle’s left-edge is barely visible. – Right-side mirror:  Lean to the right so your head is directly above the center console.  Adjust the mirror on the right side so that the rear edge of the vehicle can barely be seen. You will not see the left and right sides of the vehicle when glancing in the outside mirrors; however, this adjustment adds 12 to 16 degrees of additional viewing area to each side of the vehicle. Additionally, this allows the vehicle from the rear-view to move into the side-view mirror, and then when it leaves the side-view mirror, the vehicle is visible in the peripheral view of the driver. SAFETY RESTRAINTS Air Bags — Air bags are supplemental restraints and are designed to work best in combination with safety belts. In a crash, air bags and safety belts reduce the chance that your head and upper body will strike some part of the vehicle interior. Read your vehicle owner’s manual for specific information about the air bags in your vehicle. Safety Belts — Ohio’s mandatory safety belt usage law requires drivers and front-seat occupants of most passenger vehicles to wear safety belts whenever they drive or ride in a motor vehicle on Ohio’s roadways. Safety belts should be worn even if the vehicle is equipped with air bags. Always fasten your safety belt and make sure all passengers are using safety belts or child restraints. Drivers and front seat occupants must wear safety belts. For drivers under age 18, the number of vehicle occupants is limited to the number of safety belts originally installed and all occupants must wear safety belts. It is important to wear the safety belt correctly: • The safety belt should be worn across bony areas (shoulders and hips). • A shoulder belt is worn across the shoulder and chest with minimal, if any, slack. Do not wear the shoulder belt under the arm or behind the back. Wearing the belt the wrong way could cause serious internal injuries in a crash. • Adjust the lap belt so that it is snug and lies low across your hips after fastening. Otherwise, in a crash, you could slide out of the belt, resulting in injury or death. SECTION 2: Before You Drive OHIO DRIVER MANUAL 7 OHIO DRIVER MANUAL Driving is one of the riskier tasks that you will do during your lifetime. Your ability to drive safely depends on good health and making correct decisions. VISION Because seeing well is so important to safe driving, have your eyes checked regularly by an eye doctor. • If you complete the vision screening with corrective lenses, your Driver License will indicate a vision restriction and you must always wear your corrective lenses when driving. • Avoid using dark or tinted corrective lenses at night. For more information about Ohio’s vision standards, refer to Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) Rule 4501:1-1-20. https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/rule-4501:1-1-20 FATIGUE Fatigue is physical or mental tiredness that can be caused by physical or mental strain, repetitive tasks, illness, medications, or lack of sleep. Fatigue can affect your vision and decrease your reaction time. AGGRESSIVE DRIVING Aggressive driving occurs when an individual intentionally commits an action that endangers other persons or property. Aggressive driving examples are speeding, following too closely, unsafe lane changes, improper signaling, and failing to obey traffic signals and warnings signs. DISTRACTED DRIVING A distraction is anything that takes attention away from driving, whether it is physically taking your hands from the wheel, eyes away from the road, or mental activities that take your mind away from driving. Distracted driving can result in crashes causing serious harm to you, passengers, pedestrians, or other motorists. Avoid all types of distraction – cell phone conversations, text messaging, arguments or emotional conversations with passengers, or eating while driving. Make sure children and pets are secured properly. SECTION 3: Be Alert IN THIS SECTION: • VISION • FATIGUE • AGGRESSIVE DRIVING • DISTRACTED DRIVING • ALCOHOL, DRUGS, & DRIVING 8 In Ohio, it is illegal to drive distracted. This includes using an electronic wireless communication device. Drivers Age 18 Years and Older — It is illegal in most cases to use, hold, or physically support a cell phone or electronic wireless communications device while driving on Ohio roads. If an officer sees a violation, they can pull you over. The law allows drivers over 18 years old to make and receive phone calls using “hands-free” technology, and use other device features, as long as they do not hold or support the device or manually enter letters, numbers, or symbols. Drivers may only activate or deactivate their devices with a single touch or swipe. Exceptions Include: • Reporting an emergency to law enforcement, a hospital, health care provider, fire department or similar emergency entity. • Holding a phone to the ear only during phone conversations, if the call is started or stopped with a single touch or swipe. • Holding or using cell phones or other electronic devices while stopped at a traffic light or parked on a road or highway during an emergency or road closure. • First responders (law enforcement, fire, EMS) using electronic devices as part of their official duties. • Utility workers operating utility vehicles in certain emergency or outage situations. • Licensed operators using an amateur radio. • Commercial truck drivers using a mobile data terminal. The penalties, under the law, have been enhanced. • 1st offense in two years: 2 points assessed to Driver License, up to a $150 fine. Completion of a distracted driving course can help avoid the fine and points. • 2nd offense in two years: 3 points assessed to Driver License, up to a $250 fine. • 3rd or more in two years: 4 points assessed to Driver License, up to a $500 fine, possible 90-day suspension of Driver License. • Fines doubled if the violation occurs in a work zone. Drivers Under Age 18 Years — It is illegal to use any electronic device while driving, even hands-free, or while sitting at a traffic light or in a traffic jam. • Exceptions allow use for navigation device purposes, or emergency services calls. • Violation of this law is a ‘primary’ offense (a main cause for a traffic stop): – First violation: 60-days Driver License suspension and a $150 fine. – Second violation: 1-year Driver License suspension and a $300 fine. ALCOHOL, DRUGS, AND DRIVING In Ohio, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Even legally prescribed or over-the-counter medication may affect an individual’s driving ability. Effects of Alcohol and Drugs: • Vision — May cause blurred vision; reduced ability to focus; and reduced ability to judge distance, speed, and the movement of other vehicles • Reaction Time — Slows your ability to process information and respond to the driving task • Judgment — Reduces your ability to perceive surroundings and make quick decisions To further understand the serious consequences of impaired driving, see Ohio’s crashes and crash injuries on the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s OVI Dashboard. SECTION 3: Be Alert OHIO DRIVER MANUAL