Ohio driver's license
Get your first license in Ohio after moving to the US.
How it goes
- 1You arriveYou have moved to Ohio and you want to drive here.
- 2Your permitYou practice on the road with a learner permit.
- 3The written testYou take the written test.
- 4Behind the wheelYou take the drive test behind the wheel.
- Your licenseYou pass the tests, and the license is yours.
What it costs
A first license
$27.50
You pay this when you apply.
If you just arrived in the US
Your immigration status
As a temporary resident, you can get a nonrenewable licence by presenting acceptable documents that prove your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number if ever assigned, Ohio street address, legal presence in the United States, and temporary residence in the state.
Foreign documents with no expiry date
If your authorized stay in the United States has no expiration date, your limited-term licence lasts no longer than one year from the date it is issued. If it has an expiration date, the licence lasts until that date or four years from issuance, whichever comes first.
Ohio publishes no rule for a foreign licence that carries no expiration date. The test waiver applies only to a valid, unexpired licence from a country with a reciprocal arrangement, so the decision on your card rests with the deputy registrar.
Your Social Security Number
Giving your number, and who may see it
As a temporary resident, you give a Social Security number only if one has ever been assigned to you.
If you take the test online, you give your full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number, and they are verified electronically.
Tests you take
Eye test
If you fail a written test, you must wait at least one day before retaking it.
If you cannot reach the visual acuity required for a licence without visual restrictions, with or without corrective lenses, you are referred to an ophthalmologist or licensed optometrist of your choice for correction or examination.
The screening checks that you meet Ohio's vision standards for driver licence issuance.
With binocular vision and combined visual acuity of 20/40 or better without corrective lenses, you are issued a licence with no visual restrictions.
If you take the knowledge test online, the vision screening happens at any deputy registrar license agency when you buy the temporary permit.
Drive test
You pass the test for a standard four-wheel vehicle if your minus score does not go over 25 points in either part.
Yes
Tries you get on the written test
If you fail the written test, you must wait at least one day before retaking it.
A failed written test can be retaken after a wait of at least one day.
Practice questions for the written test
The tests draw their material from the official Ohio Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws.
Practising with your permit
Who can sit with you while you practise
If you drive with a bioptic device, your restricted temporary instruction permit is valid only when an employee of a certified driving training and evaluation program or a trained BMV examiner is with you.
With a TIPIC, you can practise driving only when a licensed driver age 21 or older is with you.
If you are 18 or older, you can practise driving only when a licensed driver age 21 or older is in the car with you.
What to bring to the drive test
The car and its insurance
Before the test, the car is inspected: turn signals, brake lights, horn, windshield wipers, and headlights must work, and the front doors must open from inside and outside with the handle. Registration must be current and displayed on the license plate, and automated assistance tools such as automated parking must be turned off.
Where to go
Who gives the tests
If you use a bioptic device, your driver examination is given by at least two BMV examiners trained to administer it.
You can take the CDL skills test at a state CDL examination station or a third-party testing facility.
Ohio Driver Examiner, BMV-authorized Designated Testing Location
Booking an appointment
You can schedule your driving skills test at bmvonline.dps.ohio.gov/dxscheduling.
Office locations
You can find your local BMV license agency, title office, or other location at publicsafety.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odps/local-office.
Other states
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Every source, quoted24 sources
Every fact on this page is quoted from the page that publishes it, in the words it uses.
“First Operator Driver License 4 Year / 8 Year (age 21 or older) $27.50 / $54.00”
bmv.ohio.gov/doc-fees.aspxChecked August 3, 2026
“A nonrenewable license or nonrenewable identification card may be issued to a temporary resident of this state when the applicant presents acceptable documents, including those listed in rule 4501:1-1-21 of the Administrative Code, verifying the following: the applicant's full legal name, date of birth, social security number if ever assigned, proof of Ohio street address and legal presence in the United States, and temporary residence in this state.”
codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/chapter-4501:1-1Checked July 27, 2026
“a limited term license shall not be issued to a temporary resident for a period longer than the expiration date of the temporary resident's authorized stay in the United States, or for four years from the date of issuance, whichever date is earliest. (2) If there is no expiration date for a temporary resident's authorized stay in the United States, a limited term license shall not be issued to the temporary resident for a period longer than one year from the date of issuance. (3) A limited term license may be renewed within ninety days prior to its expiration”
codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-4507.09Checked August 14, 2026
“the registrar may waive the examination of any person applying for a driver's license if the person presents a valid, unexpired license issued by a country with which the registrar has a reciprocal arrangement”
codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/chapter-4507Checked August 9, 2026
“social security number if ever assigned”
codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/chapter-4501:1-1Checked July 27, 2026
“If you choose to test online, applicants will provide their Full Legal Name, Date of Birth, and Social Security Number, that will be verified electronically.”
bmv.ohio.gov/dl-gdl.aspxChecked August 4, 2026
“A person who fails any written test shall be required to wait at least one day prior to retaking such test.”
codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/chapter-4501:1-1Checked August 1, 2026
“persons examined with corrective lenses who are unable to attain the visual acuity required by this rule and persons examined without corrective lenses who are unable to attain the visual acuity required by this rule for the issuance of the appropriate license without visual restrictions on their driver license shall be referred to an ophthalmologist or licensed optometrist of their choice for correction and/or examination”
codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/chapter-4501:1-1Checked July 27, 2026
“You will be asked to complete a vision screening to demonstrate you meet Ohio vision standards for driver license issuance.”
bmv.ohio.gov/new-to-ohio.aspxChecked August 4, 2026
“Persons with binocular vision whose combined visual acuity is twenty/forty or better, without corrective lenses, shall be issued a license without visual restrictions.”
codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/chapter-4501:1-1Checked August 1, 2026
“If testing online, the vision screening will be performed at any deputy registrar license agency at the time of purchasing the temporary permit.”
bmv.ohio.gov/dl-gdl.aspxChecked August 4, 2026
“The applicant shall be considered to have passed the examination for a license to operate a standard type four-wheel vehicle provided the applicant does not receive a minus score in excess of twenty-five points in either part of the examination”
codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/chapter-4501:1-1Checked July 27, 2026
“Schedule and pass the driving test (maneuverability and on-road skills tests) (See Section 11) Purchase your Driver License (See Section 12)”
“wait at least one day prior to retaking such test.”
codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/chapter-4501:1-1Checked July 27, 2026
“The reference document for the material covered in the tests described in part two and three will be the official "Ohio Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws" as prescribed by the director of public safety”
codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/chapter-4501:1-1Checked July 27, 2026
“Upon successful completion of the foregoing examinations, the person may be issued a restricted temporary instruction permit identification card which shall be valid only when the person is accompanied by an appropriate employee of a certified driving training and evaluation program or a trained examiner of the bureau of motor vehicles.”
codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/chapter-4501:1-1Checked July 27, 2026
“Once a driver is issued a TIPIC, he or she can practice driving only if accompanied by a licensed driver age 21 or older.”
bmv.ohio.gov/dl-gdl.aspxChecked August 4, 2026
“Age 18 and over: Practice driving only if accompanied by a licensed driver age 21 or older.”
“A vehicle inspection performed before the test begins will check the working order of turn signals, brake lights, horn, windshield wipers, and headlights. Front doors must be able to open from the inside and outside with the door handle. Vehicle registration must be current and displayed on the license plate. Automated assistance tools, such as automated parking, must be disabled.”
“The comprehensive driver examination shall be administered by at least two examiners employed by the bureau of motor vehicles each of whom are properly trained to administer a comprehensive driver examination in accordance with this rule.”
codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/chapter-4501:1-1Checked July 27, 2026
“Upon successfully obtaining a commercial driver's license temporary instruction permit, the applicant may appear at a state CDL examination station or third party testing facility to take a skills test to determine his ability to drive the type of commercial motor vehicle for which he seeks a commercial driver's license.”
codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/chapter-4501:1-1Checked August 14, 2026
“A Driver Examiner evaluates driving skills while riding as a front-seat passenger.”
“[Schedule a Driving Skills Test](https://bmvonline.dps.ohio.gov/dxscheduling/)”
r.jina.ai/https://www.bmv.ohio.gov/about-contact.aspxChecked August 4, 2026
“To find your local BMV license agency, title offices, or other locations, please click [here](https://publicsafety.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odps/local-office).”
r.jina.ai/https://bmvonline.dps.ohio.gov/bmvonline/Home/ContactChecked August 4, 2026
Applying for a driver's license in Ohio?
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