How long does it take to get a license in Ohio? Well, that depends on how quickly you move through the steps the state of Ohio requires you to take.
This article will walk you through all the requirements, and roughly how long they take to complete.
Step 1: Get a Temporary Permit
If you’re between the ages of 15 years and 6 months and 18 years old, you are eligible to get a temporary permit. To get a permit, you’ll need to pass a knowledge test and a vision test. You can complete the Ohio BMV knowledge test either online or at a driver exam station. You’ll also need to have your vision tested. If you take the knowledge test in person, you can knock out the vision test then. If you opt to take the knowledge test online, you can have the vision screening done at any deputy registrar license agency when you go to purchase your temporary permit.
The knowledge test is 40 multiple-choice questions about traffic laws and signs. You must answer 75% of the questions correctly to pass. Study the Ohio Digest of Motor Vehicles before taking the test, and you’ll do great! There’s even a sample test you can take to make sure you’re ready for the real thing.
Step 2: Sign up for Drivers Ed
You have options for which driving school you pick. You’ll want to choose a drivers ed course that’s approved by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). But you don’t have to spend time bored in a classroom. Today, teens can take courses online wherever they want. Aceable offers a fun, interactive course you can take on your phone or computer. It’s a popular choice among teens because it’s funny, interactive, and teaches you everything you need to know to be a safe, confident driver.
Step 3: Complete Drivers Ed
The state of Ohio requires drivers ed to be 24 hours long.
Sorry, you can’t breeze through the whole thing in one Redbull-fueled day. State laws mandate that only two hours of instruction time can be done in a 24-hour period.
An Ohio drivers ed course is a little like earning different colored belts in karate - but it doesn’t take nearly as long. You’ll start out as a white belt (a.k.a. complete newb) and work your way through 10 levels.
If you use the Aceable app, you can knock out two hours each day and be done in less than two weeks. Once you complete the course and pass the final exam (taken in the app if you’re taking an Aceable course), you’ll receive your Driver Education Certificate. You’ll need this certificate when you go to get your license!
Step 4: Complete 8 Hours of Behind-the-wheel Training
The next step involves getting behind the wheel. Once you have your temporary instruction permit, you can hop into the driver’s seat - with a professional driving instructor in the vehicle, of course.
Note: You have to be 15 years and 6 months old to get behind the wheel.
Over the course of eight hours of instruction, the driving instructor will teach you the fundamentals of driving safely. Like the online courses, Ohio state law limits each driving session to two hours.
How quickly you can line up the four 2-hour driving sessions depends on the availability of your school’s driving instructor.
Step 5: Complete 50 hours of Driving Practice with a Parent or Guardian
This is where you really fine-tune your driving skills! You’ll need to practice everything you’ve learned with a parent or guardian in the car next to you. Ten of the 50 hours need to be done at night.
No need to rush through this part of your driver education! You must hold your temporary permit for at least six months before you are eligible to get your probationary license.
Step 6: Pass the Driving and Skills Tests
This is the last step standing between you and your license! When you go to the BMV to take your driving test, be sure to bring the Driver Education Certificate you got when you completed drivers ed, your vehicle, and your temporary permit with you.
Your driving test will test your ability to do the following:
Stop and start
Turn around and back up
Perform turns
Use vehicle turn signals
Drive in the correct lane
Maintain a safe following distance
Drive forward through markers
Drive backward through markers
Step 7: Purchase Your Probationary Driver License
Now, all that’s left to do is head to your nearest deputy registrar license agency with all the necessary documentation and purchase your probationary driver license!
Note: You must purchase your license within 60 days of passing your driving test.
So, how long does drivers ed take?
Let’s do a quick recap of the steps:
Study for your knowledge test and purchase your temporary instruction permit.
Complete 24 hours of drivers ed online or in a classroom.
Complete 8 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction at a driving school.
Complete 50 hours of driving practice with a parent or guardian.
Pass the driving and skills test.
Purchase your probationary driver license!
Given that you must have your permit for six months before you can get your license, expect the whole process to take six months at a minimum, with the drivers ed course only taking 24 hours (spread out over at least 12 days).
Ready to get in the driver’s seat? Check out Aceable’s drivers ed course and buckle up for a fun and educational ride!
Updated 11/15/23