Ohio Traffic Laws For Drivers Under 18

For most teens, you are looking forward to getting behind the wheel of a vehicle and getting your driver's license for the first time. According to the CDC, the crash rate for 16-year-old drivers is 1.5 times that of drivers aged 18 to 19. To keep teen drivers safe in Ohio, several traffic laws have been put in place specifically for drivers under 18. Find out those Ohio traffic laws for drivers under 18 below.

Graduated License Laws In Ohio

Once you pass the driving test, you'll receive a probationary Ohio drivers license and can drive without supervision. However, there are some restrictions if you are 16 years old:

• You can't drive between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. unless:

1. Accompanied by a parent or guardian
2. Driving to or from work with documentation from the employer (see form BMV 2825)
3. Driving to or from an official school-sponsored event or a religious event with appropriate documentation from the event official (see form BMV 2826)

• You can't have more than one non-family passenger in the car unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
• Driver and all passengers must wear safety belts.
• Driver may not use any mobile devices, including cellular phones.

A conviction of a traffic offense within the first six months of having a license may result in a parent or guardian having to accompany the driver for six months or until the driver reaches age 17.

After 12 Months

After holding the probationary license for 12 months and if you are under the age of 18, the following restrictions apply:

• You can't drive between 1 a.m. to 5 a.m unless:

1. Accompanied by a parent or guardian
2. Driving to or from work with documentation from the employer (see form BMV 2825)
3. Driving to or from an official school-sponsored event or a religious event with appropriate documentation from the event official (see form BMV 2826)

• Driver and all passengers must wear safety belts.
• Driver may not use any mobile devices, including cellular phones.

Multiple traffic convictions before the driver’s 18th birthday may result in a license suspension. For alcohol-related convictions, the driver license will be suspended for at least six months (see Ohio Revised Code 4511.19).

Distracted Driving Laws In Ohio

The data shows that texting while driving is extremely dangerous. Because of that, Ohio has put distracted driving laws in place to stop the use of devices while behind the wheel. The distracted driving laws do not ban cell phones for adults entirely, but the rules are different for teens.

Drivers under the age of 18 cannot use a cell phone or other handheld device for any purpose while driving. For violations of these rules, you would receive a 60-day license suspension and a $150 fine for a first offense. For your second offense, you’ll lose your license for a year and face a fine of $300. Exceptions include emergency calls to the police or fire department.

DWI Laws In Ohio

The legal drinking age in Ohio is 21. Ohio has almost a zero-tolerance stance for teens driving while intoxicated. The blood alcohol content (BAC) for adults in Ohio has to be below 0.08%, but for drivers under the age of 21 the legal maximum BAC is 0.02%. If you blow above 0.02%, you will be charged with Operation of a Vehicle after Underage Consumption (OVUAC). This includes the following penalties:

• You will have a suspended license for a minimum of 90 days
• A fine of up to $250
• A possible jail sentence for up to 30 days
• Retesting for your license (both written and driving exams)
• Required completion of an eight-hour remedial driving class (no BMV credit)
• Requirement to maintain an SR 22 insurance bond on file with the BMV

While it is exciting that you have your driver's license, these Ohio traffic laws are put in place to protect you and other drivers on the road. It takes time to master driving, so these restrictions give teens that extra practice time they need behind the wheel.

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 license journey with Coastline Academy, make sure to sign up for Drivers Ed and book your driving lesson today.