Is Driver's Ed Required in Ohio?
Yes! Ohio now requires driver’s ed for all first-time drivers under 21, including teens and adults ages 18 to 20.
The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV)Dl Gdl.aspx has specific requirements for first-time drivers under 21. That means whether you’re a 16-year-old just starting or a 20-year-old getting your license for the first time, you’ll need to complete the same drivers ed program.
Before You Start Your Driver’s Ed in Ohio
Here’s what every first-time driver under 21 needs to know before starting drivers ed in Ohio:
- You must be at least 15 years and five months old to sign up for your course.
- Your course must be taken through one of the BMV-approved driving schools in OhioOhio Teen Drivers Ed.aspx Driversed.com.
- You’ll be required to take both “classroom instruction” (which can be completed online; it doesn’t have to be in a physical classroom) and behind-the-wheel driving instruction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do You Have to Take Drivers Ed in Ohio?
Yes. If you're getting your first Ohio driver's license and you're under 21, you have to take drivers ed — there's no exception based on where in that age range you fall. This has been the rule since September 30, 2025. The only people who don't have to take it are first-time applicants who are already 21 or older.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Start Drivers Ed in Ohio?
You can sign up for the classroom portion at 15 years and 5 months old. You'll need to wait until you're 15 years and 6 months old to begin the behind-the-wheel portion, so pace your classroom hours accordingly if you start right at the minimum age.
How Long Does Ohio Drivers Ed Take?
The coursework itself is 32 hours total — 24 classroom hours plus 8 behind-the-wheel hours — and has to be completed within six months of starting. If you move through it as quickly as the BMV allows (two hours per day), you can finish in under three weeks.
What Happens If You Don't Complete Drivers Ed in Ohio?
You won't be able to schedule your BMV road test. Completing both the classroom hours and the behind-the-wheel training is a prerequisite the BMV checks before it lets you book that appointment — there's no way to test around it.
Does the Ohio Drivers Ed Requirement Apply to Adults, Not Just Teens?
Yes. As of September 30, 2025, first-time drivers ages 18, 19, and 20 have to complete the same Class D course as 16- and 17-year-olds. Before that date, adults could skip driver's ed and go straight to the BMV.
Get Started with your Ohio Online Drivers Ed Course Today
24 Hours of Drivers Ed
The state of Ohio requires 24 hours of classroom instruction from one of the BMV-approved driving schools in Ohio. This comes with good news and bad news:
Bad news: You can’t cram these hours into a single (very long!) day. The BMV only allows you to take up to two hours per day.
Good news: With online Ohio driving school options, you can work at your own pace. Thirty minutes here and there adds up quickly! If you’re highly ambitious, you can knock these hours out in under two weeks.
But you should know, you’ll have to be at least 15 years and six months old to start the behind-the-wheel phase of your required driver’s, so if you started your classroom instruction at exactly 15 years and 5 months, you may want to take a little longer to move through your classroom instruction.
Once you complete your 24-hour Ohio driver’s ed course, you’ll be eligible to take your written permit test at your local BMV site. According to Mary at the Ohio BMV, “the test can be difficult for applicants, so it’s best to study and take a practice test.” She recommends taking the Sample Knowledge Test available through the BMV’s websiteDl Sample Test.aspx Bmv.ohio.gov.
When you pass your exam, you can apply for your Temporary Instruction Permit Identification Card (TIPIC)Ohio Drivers Ed How To Get Temporary Instruction Permit.aspx Driversed.com, and get ready to get behind the wheel!
8 Hours of Behind-the-Wheel Instruction
The state of Ohio requires eight hours of driving instruction through one of the BMV-approved driving schools in Ohio. This will teach you the practice of safe driving, as opposed to the theory of safe driving, which you learned through your classroom instruction.
As with the classroom instruction portion of your driver’s ed requirement, the BMV only allows you to take up to two hours per day of driving instruction. So you’ll need at least four days to meet this requirement. You’ll need to complete all 32 hours of required driver’s ed training within six months of starting the program.
50 Hours of Driving Practice
While this isn’t technically part of the driver’s ed requirement, you should know you’ll need to spend at least 50 hours driving with a licensed adult before you can get your own Ohio driver’s license. At least 10 of these hours must be completed after dark.
Final Thoughts
So is driver’s ed required in Ohio? Yes. As of September 30, 2025, it’s required for all first-time drivers under 21. You’ll be required to take a 24-hour classroom courseOhio Teen Drivers Ed.aspx Driversed.com (in a physical classroom or a virtual one) plus an eight-hour behind-the-wheel driving course.
If everything goes smoothly, meaning you complete the coursework as quickly as legally allowed, you pass your permit exam on the first try, and a driving instructor is available when you need them, you could complete your required Ohio driver’s ed in under three weeks.
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