I'm an international student in Ohio and I've never had a driver's license before, not even in my home country. What are the steps to take driving lessons, pass the required tests, and get an Ohio driver's license?
Yes, you can get an Ohio driver's license as a non-citizen beginner driver, even without a Social Security number or prior driving history. The rule for international students requires you to prove your legal presence using your school and immigration documents, and you only need to provide a Social Security number if you have actually been assigned one.
You do not need any prior driving experience to start this process. As a beginner, you will first get a temporary permit ({"term": "tipic", "text": "TIPIC"}) which allows you to practice driving with an adult before you take the final road test. If you are under age 18, the timeline changes: you must hold the temporary permit for at least six months and have a parent or guardian co-sign your application.
You explicitly asked if you need specific immigration documents like an I-20 and I-94. Yes, you do. To prove your lawful presence as an F-1 student, you must bring your valid passport, visa, a printed copy of your I-94, and your I-20.
You also asked if you can apply without a Social Security number. Yes. The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) only requires proof of a Social Security number "if ever assigned." If you have never been employed in the US and do not have one, you are still eligible.
You will also need to bring proof of your Ohio residency. For new students, an Ohio State letter of admission meets this requirement.
Because you are a non-citizen, your license will be a {"term": "limited-term", "text": "limited-term"} license. It will expire on the exact same date as your I-20 document.
