Everything a Ohio parent needs in one place — required practice hours, night-driving rules, permit age, and what the written test looks like — plus a free log that keeps the hours straight.
Requirements summarized from the official Ohio driver handbook.
Requirements: Pass the knowledge and vision tests. Enroll in driver education and log 50 supervised hours, including 10 at night.
Restrictions: A licensed driver 21+ must be in the front seat. Under 16: no driving midnight-6 a.m.
Requirements: Hold the permit 6 months, complete driver education and the 50 logged hours, and pass the driving test.
Restrictions: Age 16: no driving midnight-6 a.m. and only one non-family passenger. Age 17: no driving 1 a.m.-5 a.m.
Requirements: Probationary restrictions end at 18.
Restrictions: None specific to age.
Ohio's mandatory safety belt law covers the driver and front-seat occupants of most passenger vehicles, and a probationary driver may never carry more people than the vehicle has belts. Air bags only work properly when belts are also used.
Ohio law says you may never drive faster than lets you stop within the distance you can see ahead - the posted limit is a ceiling, not a target. In rain, heavy traffic, or poor road conditions a reasonable speed is slower than the sign.
In Ohio, a chemical test showing a BAC of .08 or higher means the officer takes your license on the spot under Administrative License Suspension. For drivers 18 and older it is illegal in most cases to use, hold, or physically support a phone while driving - and that includes sitting at a red light.
Drivers must yield to pedestrians, including when turning, and obey crossing guards and slower speed limits when school-zone lights are flashing or children are present. School buses are required to stop at railroad crossings.
When approaching an authorized vehicle stopped on the roadside, move into a lane not next to it if safety and traffic conditions permit; if changing lanes is unsafe, slow down and proceed cautiously at a safe speed for traffic conditions.
Yield to whoever arrives first at an intersection; if two drivers arrive at a four-way intersection at the same time, yield to the driver on your right. Also yield when turning left to opposing traffic, and at roundabouts to traffic already circulating.
When does Ohio law require a driver to turn on the vehicle's headlights?
Headlights are required from sunset to sunrise, whenever visibility is poor, and whenever precipitation requires use of the windshield wipers.
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