What Are The Driving Age Requirements In Ohio?

If you are wanting to get behind the wheel in Ohio and start your driver's license journey, you may be wondering what are the driving age requirements in Ohio? Coastline Academy takes on that question, so find out the Ohio teen driving laws right here!

Getting an Ohio Teen Driver's License

For those teens wanting to get a driver's license in Ohio, you must take the following steps:

1. At 15½ years old, you can officially apply for a Temporary Instruction Permit Identification Card (TIPIC). With your TIPIC in hand, you are allowed to drive as long as you have a supervising driver 21 years or older in the front passenger seat with you.
2. All teens under the age of 18 must complete a Driver's Ed course. This course includes 24 hours of in-class instruction and eight hours of instruction on the road.
3. On top of that, you must also complete a minimum of 50 hours of supervised behind-the-wheel driving practice. With those 50 hours, 10 of them must be dedicated to night driving.

When all of those steps have been completed and you are at least 16 years old and have had your TIPIC for at least six months, then you can officially apply for an Ohio driver's license.

Ohio Teen Driver's License Restrictions

For an Ohio driver's license, you will receive a probationary license if you are under 18. This probationary license will be subject to certain laws under Ohio's Graduated Driver Licensing program. This means the teen driver will have certain restrictions to follow until they reach full driving privileges (18 years or older).

For those teen drivers that are 16 years old, these are the restrictions you must follow in Ohio:

• You are not allowed to drive between midnight and 6 a.m. for the first 12 months, except when you are accompanied by a parent or guardian. You are allowed to drive during that time if you are driving to and from school, work, religious event or during an emergency. If it is a school or work commitment, you must keep paperwork with you at all times proving it.
• Only one non-family member is allowed as a passenger.
• Everyone in the car, including passengers, must wear a seat belt.
• Cell phone use while driving is prohibited.

When the teen driver turns 17, restrictions are eased:

• The driving curfew changes to between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.
• Passengers are allowed. 

When you reach the age of 18, full driving privileges are granted, provided you have no traffic violation. 

Summary: For Ohio, you can get your Temporary Instruction Permit Identification Card at 15½ years old, which allows you to drive with a licensed driver over 21 years old. Get ready, as this exciting time in your life is about to begin!

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our friendly support staff. If you want to start your driver's training journey with Coastline Academy, make sure to sign up for Drivers Ed and book your driving lesson today.