Ohio Drivers Ed Requirements & FAQ

Ohio Drivers Ed Requirements

Who is required to take drivers ed in Ohio?

If you're under 18, Ohio requires a BMV-approved drivers education course before you can get your temporary instruction permit (TIPIC). As of September 2025, Ohio expanded that requirement to cover 18 to 20 year olds who have never held a license, not just teens. If you're 21 or older, drivers ed isn't required, though you'll need to complete an abbreviated adult training course if you fail your first driving test. Full details are on the Ohio BMV's licensing requirements pageDl Gdl.aspx.

What age can you start Ohio drivers ed?

You can start our course at 15 years and 5 months, which gives you time to finish the 24 hour requirement before you're eligible to apply for your permit at 15 years and 6 months (15½). See our full walkthrough of how to get an Ohio drivers licenseOhio Drivers Ed How To Get Drivers License Driversed.comOhio Drivers Ed How To Get Drivers License Driversed.com for the complete timeline.

How many hours is Ohio drivers ed?

Ohio requires 24 hours of classroom instruction, which you can complete entirely online with DriversEd.com at your own pace. Most students finish in 2 to 4 weeks working in 20 to 30 minute sessions. You'll also need 8 hours of in-car training with a licensed instructor, which is separate from the online course and happens after you finish it.

What's the difference between drivers education and drivers training?

Drivers education is the 24 hour classroom course, which you can take online, that teaches Ohio traffic laws and prepares you for the written permit test. Drivers training is the 8 hours of in-car instruction with a licensed instructor that Ohio requires before your road test. You need both to get licensed, and you can't start training until you've finished education and have your Certificate of Completion.

Does the DriversEd.com course meet Ohio BMV requirements?

Yes. Our course is equivalent to the standard 24 hour, in-classroom course and is BMV-approved. You'll get a BMV-accepted Certificate of Completion once you finish, which you'll need to sign up for in-car training and to take your driving test if you're under 21.

Ohio Permit Test

How many questions are on the Ohio permit test, and what's the passing score?

The Ohio knowledge test has 40 multiple-choice questions on traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices, drawn from the Ohio Digest of Motor Vehicle LawsForms General.aspx. You need 30 correct, or 75%, to pass. Most people finish in 20 to 30 minutes.

Can I take the Ohio permit test online?

Yes, if you're at least 15½. Ohio now offers online knowledge testing through BMV Online Services, with a supervising adult required for applicants under 19. You can also test in person at a deputy registrar or driver exam station. Either way, the vision screening happens in person when you pick up your TIPIC.

What happens if I fail the Ohio permit test?

You wait at least 24 hours before retesting. There's no limit on in-person attempts, but online testing is capped at two tries in a six month period. Our free Ohio practice permit testsOhio Practice Permit Test Driversed.com are built to mirror the real exam, and the BMV's own sample knowledge testDl Sample Test.aspx is a good second gut check before test day.

How much does the Ohio permit cost?

The Ohio temporary instruction permit (TIPIC) currently costs $26.50, per the Ohio BMV fee scheduleDoc Fees.aspx. If you retake the test, additional fees may apply depending on location.

Getting Your Ohio License: Step by Step

1. Complete a BMV-approved drivers ed course. Required starting at age 15 years, 5 months if you're under 18, and also required for 18 to 20 year olds who haven't been licensed before.
2. Pass the knowledge test and vision screening at 15½ or older to get your TIPIC.
3. Hold your permit for at least 6 months while completing 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night.
4. Complete 8 hours of in-car training with a licensed instructor.
5. Pass the driving and maneuverability test at 16 or older to get your license.

For a closer look at each step, see how to get your Ohio drivers licenseOhio Drivers Ed How To Get Drivers License Driversed.comOhio Drivers Ed How To Get Drivers License Driversed.com.

What documents do I need for the Ohio permit application?

• Proof of full legal name and date of birth
• Social Security number, if you have one
• Proof of citizenship or legal presence
• Two documents proving Ohio residency
• If you're under 18, a parent or guardian must co-sign and provide their own ID

Full document requirements are listed on the BMV's acceptable documents pageDl Identity Documents.aspx.

What are the restrictions on an Ohio TIPIC?

If you're under 16, a parent, guardian, or certified instructor must be in the passenger seat. If you're 16 or older, any licensed driver over 21 can supervise, except between midnight and 6 a.m., when it has to be a parent, guardian, or someone named on a notarized BMV 2438 form. Everyone in the car needs a seatbelt on, and the supervising adult can't be impaired.

In-Car Training and the Driving Test

Do I need in-car lessons after finishing the online course?

Yes. Ohio requires 8 hours of in-car training with a professional instructor for anyone under 21. Your Certificate of Completion from our course is what you'll use to enroll at a licensed Ohio driving schoolDETS Public Schools Apps.dps.ohio.gov for that training.

What's on the Ohio driving test?

The road test covers basic vehicle control, on-road driving for 15 to 20 minutes, and a two-part maneuverability test where you drive forward and back through a marked box. Bring your TIPIC, your Certificate of Completion if you're under 21, a properly insured vehicle, and a licensed adult (21+) to drive you there. For tips on passing the first time, see how to pass your Ohio driving testOhio Drivers Ed How To Pass Driving Test Driversed.com.

Certificates and Course Access

When do I get my Certificate of Completion?

As soon as you finish the course and pass the final test, we email your certificate. You can also download it anytime from your DriversEd.com account, and if you ever lose it, you can redownload it there for free.

Can I get my certificate faster?

Yes, for an additional fee we can deliver your certificate by email within a few hours instead of the standard turnaround.

How long do I have to finish the course?

Ohio requires the course to be completed within 180 days of registration. Most students finish in a few weeks, well within that window.

Can I use the course on my phone?

Yes. The course works on desktop, laptop, or mobile, and you can switch between devices freely. Log out anytime and we'll pick up exactly where you left off.

Payment and Roadside Assistance

What payment methods do you accept?

Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Google Pay. Prepaid debit or gift cards from Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Chime, and Cash App can't be used.

What is DriversEd.com Roadside Assistance?

Every course comes with the option to add a free month of roadside assistance through Allstate, covering towing, fuel delivery, and lockout service anywhere in the U.S. for your whole family. You have to opt in at checkout. After the free month, it's $5/month and you can cancel anytime by calling 1 (888) 289-2816 or emailing roadside@driversed.com.

Refund Policy

If you change your mind, we'll refund the full course cost within 30 days of purchase, as long as you haven't completed the course. Refunds are issued within 30 days of your request.