Ohio learner’s permit requirements
Everything here comes from Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (Ohio Department of Public Safety) pages, handbooks or state law, and each fact links to its source. Where Ohio doesn’t publish something, we say so rather than guess.
Last checked September 22, 2026.
At a glance
- Minimum age
- 15 years, 6 months
- To pass the knowledge test
- 30 of 40 correct (75%)
- Fees
- $26.50 total
- Supervised driving
- 50 hours (10 at night)
- Where you take the test
- Online or in person
The knowledge test and your permit
- Time limit
- None published
- Permit and test fees
- $26.50 totalThe temporary instruction permit costs $26.50, including the deputy registrar fee; there is no separate knowledge-test fee.Sources 123
- Minimum age for a permit
- 15 years, 6 monthsAt age 15 years and six months an applicant may complete the vision screening and knowledge test and purchase a TIPIC.Sources 124
- Test languages
- 10 languagesEnglish, Arabic, Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Japanese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, American Sign LanguageSources 123
From permit to full license
- TIPIC at 15.5 (under 16: parent/guardian/instructor or in-loco-parentis adult 21+ in front seat; 16-17: any licensed driver 21+, but parent/guardian midnight-6 a.m.). Under 21 must complete driver education (24 h classroom/online + 8 h driving) and log 50 hours (10 at night); under 18 must hold the TIPIC at least six months before the driving test.
- Probationary license under 18: for the first 12 months no driving midnight-6 a.m. and no more than one non-family passenger unless with a parent or guardian; after 12 months no driving 1-5 a.m. (exceptions for work or a school or religious event with documentation, or with a parent or guardian).
Before you go
Rules and fees change. Confirm appointments, documents and current fees on the official Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (Ohio Department of Public Safety) website: bmv.ohio.gov.