Ohio driver's license
Get your first license in Ohio after moving to the US.
The short answer
In Ohio you pass a knowledge test and a vision screening, then both parts of the driving test.1, 2 If you fail the knowledge test you wait one day before you retake it, and Ohio sets no limit on the number of attempts.1 The knowledge test has 40 multiple-choice questions and a 75% pass mark.1 Ohio offers that test in Arabic, Chinese, Spanish and other languages.1 If your stay in the United States has an end date, Ohio issues a limited-term license that lasts for the duration of that stay and cannot be renewed.3
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.
- 5Your licenseYou pass the tests, and the license is yours.
If you just arrived in the US
Your immigration status
If you are a temporary resident, you may receive a nonrenewable driver license or identification card by presenting documents that verify your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number if ever assigned, Ohio street address, and legal presence in the United States.4
Temporary residents with lawful presence receive a nonrenewable, nontransferable limited-term driver license valid for the duration of their stay, while permanent residents who present a green card receive a regular driver license.3
If your license from another state has expired
If your out-of-state driver license is expired, you cannot transfer it and must complete the testing process to obtain an Ohio driver license.5
If your out-of-state driver license has been expired for more than six months, you do not qualify for a test waiver and must complete the full testing process for an Ohio license.6
Documents you need
- Documents that are still validAn Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766 or I-688B) must be valid and unexpired.7
- An Ohio credential that is current or expired less than six months proves your identity for all BMV transactions if your Social Security number is already verified in state records; a permanent resident must still present a valid Form I-551 at every renewal.8
Your Social Security Number
Giving your number, and who may see it
If you take the test online, you give your full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number, and they are verified electronically.9
Tests you take
Eye test
If you cannot reach the required visual acuity without restrictions, you are referred to an ophthalmologist or licensed optometrist of your choice, and you get no further examination until you submit adequate evidence that your vision has improved enough.12
You get a license with no vision restrictions with 20/40 acuity in both eyes together or 20/30 in one eye, and a 70-degree visual field on both sides. Weaker acuity, up to 20/70 in both eyes or 20/60 in one eye, or a 70/45 degree field, brings daytime or mirror restrictions. Acuity worse than 20/70 in both eyes or 20/60 in one eye is denied.13
If you take the knowledge test online, the vision screening happens at any deputy registrar license agency when you buy the temporary permit.14
Drive test
You must schedule and pass both parts of the driving test, the maneuverability test and the on-road skills test, to obtain a driver license.2
Tries you get on the written test
If you fail the written test, you must wait at least one day before retaking it.15
There is no limit on the number of tries. If you fail a written test, you must wait at least one day before retaking it.16
If you fail, you must wait at least one day before retaking the test; in-person testing at a BMV Driver Examination Station allows unlimited attempts at one per day, and online testing allows two attempts in a six-month period.1
Practice questions for the written test
The official study resource for the written knowledge tests is the Ohio Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws prescribed by the director of public safety.17
Practising with your permit
Who can sit with you while you practise
A temporary permit holder must be accompanied while driving by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old, seated in the front passenger seat, and not intoxicated.18
What to bring to the drive test
Who comes with you
A driver license examiner rides as a front-seat passenger and evaluates your driving skills during the road test.19
The car and its insurance
The test vehicle must be in good condition with current registration displayed on the license plate, functioning turn signals, brake lights, horn, windshield wipers, and headlights, and front doors that open from both inside and outside. Automated driving assistance tools like automated parking must be disabled.20
Where to go
Other states
U
Sources
Every numbered fact above is quoted from the page that publishes it, in the words it uses.
- 1
“Vision Screening You must meet vision standards before you can get a Driver License. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them with you. Driving restrictions could apply based upon vision screening results. Knowledge Testing Study and learn all materials in this manual for the knowledge test. Use the online Sample Knowledge Test to see how the questions are asked. The test is 40 multiple-choice questions (with a 75% passage rate needed) and is available in American Sign Language (ASL), Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Haitian Creole, Japanese, Russian, Somali, and Spanish. You may use your own interpreter for all other languages by scheduling an appointment at a Driver Exam Station only. If you pass – Go to a Deputy Registrar License Agency to purchase a Temporary Instruction Permit Identification Card (TIPIC) within 60 days of passing the test (see TIPIC information). If you fail – You must wait one day before retesting. There is no limit on how many times you can take the knowledge test, but you can only take it once in a day. Knowledge Testing is available in the following ways: Online through BMV Online Services (two attempts permitted in a six-month period). In-person at a BMV Driver Examination Station (unlimited attempts, one per day).”
codes.ohio.gov/…/chapter-4501:1-1Checked August 2, 2026
- 2
“Schedule and pass the driving test (maneuverability and on-road skills tests) (See Section 11) Purchase your Driver License (See Section 12)”
publicsafety.ohio.gov/…/section-1-how-to-get-your-driver-licenseChecked July 26, 2026
- 3
“A non-renewable, non-transferrable (limited term) license is the form of driver license issued to temporary residents in the United States that is valid for the duration of their stay. A temporary resident is a person who is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident under U.S. immigration laws, but who does have legal presence in the country.”
otso.ohio.gov/…/limited-term-licensesChecked July 28, 2026
- 4
“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/…/chapter-4501:1-1Checked July 27, 2026
- 5
“If you are a first-time driver or your out-of-state driver license is expired, you must complete the testing process to obtain your Ohio driver license.”
bmv.ohio.gov/new-to-ohio.aspxChecked July 26, 2026
- 6
“the license is unexpired or expired not more than six months.”
codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-4507.10Checked August 1, 2026
- 7
“EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION DOCUMENT – Valid and unexpired EAD issued by DHS, Form I-766 or Form I-688B.”
dam.assets.ohio.gov/…/bmv2430.pdfChecked August 1, 2026
- 8
“shall constitute acceptable evidence of the person's identity for all transactions conducted by the registrar or any deputy registrar except that a permanent resident shall present his or her valid USCIS form I-551 upon every renewal of credential, and except that if the social security number has not been verified in the records of the BMV, then the person shall be required to present a second acceptable document verifying the person's social security number”
codes.ohio.gov/…/rule-4501:1-1-21Checked August 2, 2026
- 9
“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
- 10
“social security number if ever assigned”
codes.ohio.gov/…/chapter-4501:1-1Checked July 27, 2026
- 11
“if the applicant has previously established their social security number with the Ohio BMV and the social security number verifies electronically with the SSA at time of application.”
codes.ohio.gov/…/chapter-4501:1-1Checked August 1, 2026
- 12
“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/…/chapter-4501:1-1Checked July 27, 2026
- 13
“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/…/chapter-4501:1-1Checked August 1, 2026
- 14
“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
- 15
“wait at least one day prior to retaking such test.”
codes.ohio.gov/…/chapter-4501:1-1Checked July 27, 2026
- 16
“A person who fails any written test shall be required to wait at least one day prior to retaking such test.”
codes.ohio.gov/…/chapter-4501:1-1Checked August 1, 2026
- 17
“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/…/chapter-4501:1-1Checked July 27, 2026
- 18
“TIPIC Restrictions Under age 16: If under age 16, the driver must have a parent, guardian, custodian, licensed driving instructor, or a person age 21 or older, who acts in loco parentis, occupying the front passenger seat beside the permit holder. Age 16 to 17: Driving with any valid licensed driver, age 21 or older, in the front passenger seat is permitted, except from midnight to 6 a.m. when the driver must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or custodian who holds a valid Driver License. Age 18 and over: Practice driving only if accompanied by a licensed driver age 21 or older. All ages: Drivers must carry the TIPIC at all times when driving. The eligible adult in the front passenger seat shall not be intoxicated. The driver and all passengers must wear safety belts. Use of any mobile electronic device is prohibited while driving. Total number of occupants in the vehicle cannot exceed the total number of safety belts installed in the vehicle. Driver Education Requirements (Under Age 21) To obtain a Driver License, a driver under age 21 must meet these requirements: Complete a driver education class at a licensed driver training school with 24 hours of classroom or online instruction, and 8 hours of driving time. Complete and log 50 hours of driving with an eligible licensed driver (see TIPIC Restrictions on previous page), with at least 10 hours of night driving.”
bmv.ohio.gov/dl-gdl.aspxChecked August 1, 2026
- 19
“A Driver Examiner evaluates driving skills while riding as a front-seat passenger.”
publicsafety.ohio.gov/…/section-11-taking-the-driving-testChecked August 1, 2026
- 20
“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.”
publicsafety.ohio.gov/…/section-11-taking-the-driving-testChecked August 1, 2026
- 21
“Upon obtaining a temporary instruction permit identification card, the applicant may appear at a examination station to take a road and a maneuverability test to determine the applicant's ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle under the supervision of an examiner.”
codes.ohio.gov/…/chapter-4501:1-1Checked July 27, 2026
- 22
“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).”
bmvonline.dps.ohio.gov/bmvonline/Home/ContactChecked August 4, 2026
Applying for a driver's license in Ohio?
Answer a few questions and see the steps that apply to you.