The holder of a Temporary Permit purchased at 15 ½ must have completed fifty (50) hours of supervised driving, at least ten (10) of those at night, with a parent or legal guardian prior to getting a license. Parents or legal guardians must confirm the fifty (50) hours in writing under penalty of falsification.

Teens under the age of 16 who hold a Temporary Permit must be accompanied by a licensed parent, legal guardian or legal driving instructor seated next to them in the vehicle.

Learners under 18 must have their Temporary Permit for a minimum of six (6) months before obtaining a license.

Drivers with a Temporary Permit issued on or after July 1, 1998, cannot drive between hours of 1:00 AM and 5:00 AM unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Drivers under age 17 who hold a driver license with valid proof of work school functions or an emergency, can be exempt from the curfew.

Total occupancy of a vehicle driven by an individual with a Temporary Permit or license by a driver under 18, must be no greater than the number of originally installed safety belts.

New drivers must also observe the already-mandated driver education training in addition to the 50 hours of supervised driving.

This program was designed to provide new drivers under age 18 with additional experience and skills when behind the wheel of a motor vehicle; skills that may one day help save lives.

If you turn 15 ½ on or after July 1, 1998 (born on or after January 1, 1983), follow these steps to obtain an Ohio Driver License:

• Purchase Temporary Packet at age 15 ½ from Deputy Registrar on or after July 1, 1998.

• Pass written and vision tests at Driver Examination Station. Receive Temporary Permit.

• When driving with Temporary Permit, you must drive with licensed parent, guardian or certified driving instructor seated beside you. When you turn 16, you may drive only with licensed driver 21 or older. (Restriction: No driving if under 17 between 1:00 AM and 5:00 AM unless with parent, guardian or custodian who holds a valid drivers license.)

• Obtain either commercial or high school driver education requirement consisting of 24 hours classroom instruction and 8 hours of driving if you apply for your license before you turn 18.

• Obtain 50 hours of actual driving experience, certified by your parent, with at least ten (10) of those hours at night, before obtaining license under age 18. These hours are in addition to the driver education requirements.

• Temporary Permit must be held for at least six (6) months before obtaining license under the age of 18.

• At age 16, make an appointment at Driver License Examination Station and pass the driving and maneuverability tests.

• Return to Deputy Registrar and purchase license. (Restriction: No driving if under 17 between the 1:00 AM and 5:00 AM unless with parent or guardian, with exceptions for work, school or emergency.)

• Safety belts must be available to all passengers and everyone must be buckled up for all holders of Temporary Permits and those licensed drivers under 18.

 
Graduated Driver License Hotline
1-800-462-2269