Getting Your Ohio Drivers Permit

The Key Requirements

What do you need to get a permit from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV)? You must be prepared with everything you need before you venture to your local BMV. You don’t want to wait in a long line only to discover that you forgot an essential document and must return it another day. To sit for your permit test, you must:

• Be 15 years and 6 months or older.
• Visit an Ohio BMV office in person.
• Bring your certificate of completion for your Driver’s Ed courseOhio Drivers EdOhio Drivers Ed.
• Provide proof of your identity, where you live, your birth date, and your legal presence in the US.
• Take and pass the written permit test.
• Pass a visual exam (don’t worry, corrected vision is A-ok).
• Pay the $22 learner's permit fee.

Heads up: As of September 30, 2025, Ohio now requires all first-time drivers under 21—including 18- to 20-year-olds—to complete a full drivers ed course before they can earn a license. That means if you're 18, 19, or 20, you’ll need to take 24 hours of classroom or online instruction and 8 hours of behind-the-wheel training, just like teen drivers.

The Details on the Documents You Need

The easiest way to guarantee that you can verify your identity and legal presence in the US is to bring your Social Security Card and birth certificate. You can use a bank statement, credit card record, or a school-certified record to prove where you live. If you are under 18, your legal guardian must go to the BMV to prove your identity (e.g., present a driver’s license).

If you don’t have these documents, some alternatives are available. Your social security number can also be verified through a certified school record, a W-2 statement from your job, or an official medical record. Name, birth date, and legal residency in the US can also be proven through a passport if you have one. To see the complete list of approved document options, visit this listStatic Bmv2424.pdf Publicsafety.ohio.gov.

The Big Test

Once you have all studied and have your documents in line, you can take your official Driver’s Ed exam and get your permit. There are two sections of 20 questions each = 40 questions total. You must score 70% or above on each section to officially “pass” and get your permit. That means you should aim to get 15 or more questions right per section. This is the magic number.

Many new drivers may fail the test their first time around--so don’t fret too much; you will have a 24-hour waiting period before being able to try again. To avoid taking the test more than once, sign up for your online prep course through Aceable nowOhio Drivers EdOhio Drivers Ed. If you want extra study material and something to help you sleep at night, you can get an unrestricted driver’s handbook from your local Deputy Registrar’s Office or download a PDF versionStatic Hsy7607.pdf Publicsafety.ohio.gov. The Ohio BMV also offers free practice tests to help ensure you are fully prepared.

Test. Check! What’s Next?

You are ready for the driving portion once you have passed the permit test. You MUST sign upWhat We Do Our Programs Ohio Driver Training Publicsafety.ohio.gov for 8 hours of driving with a certified instructor. Make sure you bring your Aceable Certificate of Enrollment (or other Drivers Ed certificate) and present it before you begin driving lessons!

You must also complete 50 hours of supervised driving practice (including 10 hours at night) with your legal guardian in the passenger seat. You don’t need to log these 50 hours. Instead, your parent/guardian will fill out a Fifty Hour AffidavitStatic Bmv5791.pdf Publicsafety.ohio.gov and get it notarized. When you test for your license, you must present the affidavit at the Driver Exam Station.

Driving Restrictions Once You Have Your Permit

Remember that having a permit doesn’t mean you’re ready to spread your wings and go out on your own. The BMV outlines the below regulations for permit holders:

• 15 1/2-16 years old: You are only allowed to drive when a licensed parent, guardian, or certified driving instructor is in the passenger seat.
• 16 years old: You must have a valid licensed driver who is 21 years old or older in the passenger seat.
• Under 18 years old (even with a license): You cannot drive between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. unless your guardian/parent is with you.

When can I get my Probationary Driver's License?

You can get your probationary drivers license once you have:

• Held your permit for 6 months at least
• Completed your 8 hours with a certified instructor
• Completed 50 hours (10 at night) with a parental unit