Harder to Get a License in Ohio? Here's Why It Might Be a Good Thing

Ohio is eliminating an exemption that permitted adults to obtain driver's permits with limited schooling.
A recent state budget in Ohio mandates that anyone younger than 21 must finish a comprehensive driver education program.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has previously considered integrating driver education into the public school curriculum, but this initiative is not taking place at present.

Due to a recently approved state budget in Ohio, individuals seeking a driver's license must now finish a driver training course, much like the one mandated for underage drivers. If you aren’t living in Ohio, this might be unexpected since it was previously not necessary, yet it’s accurate. Previously, If you postponed obtaining your driver's license from age 16 to 18, your only requirements were passing a practical exam or finishing a four-hour training program.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has been advocating for reform of this exception for several months and recently included in the budget a provision requiring all individuals under age 21 in Ohio to complete an entire driver education program. He points to regional accident data as evidence that present driver instruction is insufficient: in 2024, over half of deadly collisions involving teenage drivers occurred with those who were 18 or 19 years old. According to these numbers, younger drivers might have received more effective training.

For young drivers under 18 years old in Ohio, mandatory driver education typically mirrors requirements found in several other states: 24 hours of classroom learning (which can be completed online) must be followed by eight hours of practical driving experience behind the wheel, along with an additional 50 hours of guidance from a parent or legal guardian. Drivers must hold a provisional license for a minimum period of six months.

Since it's so simple to just wait until turning 18 and then try their luck, many new drivers take the easiest option. However, this choice is now unavailable, though it isn't entirely positive for road safety.

Governor DeWine also sought to include driver education within the state budget as part of the public school program. However, other lawmakers rejected this proposal, maintaining driving schools as privately operated entities. Nevertheless, students will now be permitted to miss school during non-core subjects to take a driving course.

If you reside in a remote area of Ohio, the updated regulations could prove somewhat inconvenient due to the scarcity of driving schools nearby. Nevertheless, the online portion should be relatively easy to manage, and mandating additional training and practice on the road is certainly beneficial for overall traffic safety.

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