Ohio DMV Permit Test Temporary Permit (TIPIC) and Probationary License Summary

Ohio law allows a temporary instruction permit for a person who is at least 15 years and 6 months old.

Wrong choices

• 14 years: 14 is too young for a permit to drive a car.
• 15 years: At 15 years you are still 6 months too young.
• 16 years: 16 is the youngest age for a probationary license, not the permit.

If you are under 16, you may drive with a permit only when an eligible adult sits beside you: a parent, guardian, or custodian with a valid Ohio license, a licensed driver training instructor, or certain adults 21 or older who act in place of a parent. That adult must not be over the alcohol limit.

Wrong choices

• No one, as long as you carry your permit: A permit holder must always drive with a qualified adult beside them.
• Any licensed driver who is at least 18: Any licensed driver age 18 is not enough for a permit holder under 16.
• Any passenger who is at least 16: A passenger age 16 does not qualify.

Ohio law says a probationary license may be issued to a person at least 16 who has held a temporary instruction permit for at least 6 months.

Wrong choices

• At least 3 months: 3 months is too short.
• At least 9 months: 9 months is not Ohio's rule. Ohio requires at least 6 months.
• At least 12 months: 12 months is longer than Ohio requires. The permit itself is valid for one year.

The Ohio BMV requires a driver under 18 to complete 50 hours of driving, with at least 10 hours at night, in addition to driver education (24 hours of classroom or online instruction and 8 hours of driving with an instructor).

Wrong choices

• 65 hours, including at least 10 at night: 65 hours is not Ohio's number.
• 50 hours, with no night hours required: At least 10 of the 50 hours must be at night.
• 30 hours, including at least 5 at night: 30 hours is too few.

If you are 16 or older, you may drive with a permit when a licensed driver who is at least 21 sits in the seat beside you and is not over the alcohol limit.

Wrong choices

• Any adult, even without a license: The supervising adult must hold a driver's license.
• A licensed driver who is at least 18, sitting anywhere in the car: The supervising driver must be at least 21 and sit beside you.
• A friend who has a probationary license: A probationary license holder is too young to supervise a permit holder.

Ohio law says a permit holder under 18 may not drive between midnight and 6 a.m. unless a parent, guardian, or custodian with a valid Ohio license sits beside them. The BMV also allows a licensed driver 21 or older named on a notarized BMV 2438 form.

Wrong choices

• From 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.: 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. is the limit for probationary drivers after their first 12 months.
• From 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.: 10 p.m. is not when Ohio's permit limit begins.
• After sunset: Driving after sunset is allowed with proper supervision before midnight.

Ohio's probationary license has two night limits:

1. First 12 months: no driving from midnight to 6 a.m.
2. After 12 months (until 18): no driving from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.

Exceptions include driving with a parent or guardian, and driving to or from work, a school event, or a religious event with written documentation.

Wrong choices

• There is no time limit after 12 months: A night limit still applies until the driver turns 18.
• Midnight to 6 a.m.: Midnight to 6 a.m. applies during the first 12 months.
• 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.: 11 p.m. is not part of Ohio's probationary limits.

Ohio law says that during the first 12 months with a probationary license, the driver may not have more than one person who is not a family member in the vehicle unless a parent, guardian, or custodian is along. Every occupant must also wear a seat belt.

Wrong choices

• No more than two: Two is more than the law allows.
• None at all: One non-family passenger is allowed.
• No more than three: Three is more than the law allows.

Ohio law says permit holders under 18 and probationary license holders may not use a phone or other wireless device in any manner while driving, except in an emergency or when stopped outside a lane of travel. A first violation brings a $150 fine and a 60-day suspension. A second violation brings a $300 fine and a one-year suspension.

Wrong choices

• A one-year license or permit suspension: A one-year suspension is the penalty for a repeat violation.
• A warning only: The law sets a fine and a suspension, not just a warning.
• A $50 fine with no suspension: The fine for a first violation is $150, and a suspension is also required.