State Guide
Ohio BMV Permit Test 2026
A complete walkthrough of everything involved in getting your Ohio TIPIC (Temporary Instruction Permit Identification Card) — Ohio's official name for a learner's permit. This guide covers driver education, documents, fees, the 40-question knowledge test (with online option), and Ohio's Graduated Driver Licensing program. Ready to start practicing? Take a free Ohio BMV practice test.
Who Can Get a TIPIC
To apply for a TIPIC (Temporary Instruction Permit Identification Card) in Ohio, you must be at least 15 years and 6 months old. The TIPIC is Ohio's official learner's permit.
If you're under 18, you must go through Ohio's Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program, which includes driver education, supervised driving practice, and a probationary license with restrictions.
Under 16: If you're under 16, you can only practice driving when accompanied by a parent, guardian, or certified driving instructor.
Adults 18+: If you're 18 or older, driver education is not required, and there's no minimum time you must hold your permit before taking the road test.
Driver Education Requirements
Ohio requires driver education for all applicants under 18. The course must be completed at a licensed driver training school and includes:
Classroom instruction
24 hours of classroom or online instruction covering traffic laws, road signs, safe driving practices, and the effects of alcohol and drugs on driving. Online driver education is accepted in Ohio.
Behind-the-wheel training
8 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction with a certified driving instructor.
You must complete driver education before you can take the road test for your probationary license.
Adults 18+: Driver education is not required if you're 18 or older.
Fees and What You Pay For
The Ohio TIPIC costs $23.50. This is paid when you pick up your permit at a deputy registrar's office after passing the knowledge test.
Driver education costs: The driving school course is a separate expense and varies by school. Expect to pay $300 to $500 for the full program (24 hours classroom + 8 hours behind-the-wheel).
Retakes: If you fail the knowledge test, you can retake it the next business day. There may be a small retest fee depending on where you take the test.
Documents You Need
To get your TIPIC, you'll need to bring:
1. Proof of full legal name
A certified birth certificate, U.S. passport, or other approved identity document.
2. Social Security card
Your original Social Security card.
3. Two proofs of Ohio residency
Two documents showing your Ohio address: utility bill, bank statement, school enrollment document, etc.
4. Proof of legal presence
If you're not a U.S. citizen, you'll need documents proving your legal presence in the United States.
The Knowledge Test
The Ohio knowledge test consists of 40 multiple-choice questionscovering:
Ohio traffic laws and regulations
Road signs, signals, and pavement markings
Safe driving practices
Right-of-way rules
Vehicle regulations
Alcohol and drug laws
You need to answer at least 30 questions correctly (75%) to pass. This is one of the more forgiving passing thresholds — you can miss up to 10 questions.
The test is available in 8 languages: English, Spanish, Somali, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Russian.
Where to Take the Test
Ohio offers multiple options for taking the knowledge test:
Option 1: Online
Take the test online through Ohio BMV Online Services. This is convenient and can be done from home.
Option 2: Deputy Registrar Location
Visit select deputy registrar locations to take the test in person.
Option 3: Driver Exam Station
Visit any Ohio driver exam station to take the test and complete the vision screening.
Note: Regardless of where you take the test, you'll still need to visit a deputy registrar's office within 60 days to pick up your TIPIC.
Passing Score and Results
Ohio Knowledge Test
40 questions
You must answer at least 30 correctly (75%) to pass. You can miss up to 10 questions.
When you finish the test, you'll receive your score immediately. If you pass, you'll receive a receipt that you must take to a deputy registrar's office within 60 days to get your TIPIC.
Ohio does not have a separate road signs test — sign questions are mixed into the main 40-question exam.
If You Don't Pass
If you fail the knowledge test, you can retake it the next business day. There is no limit to the number of attempts.
Use the Ohio Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws and practice tests to review before your next attempt.
The Two-Step Process
Ohio uses a two-step process for getting your TIPIC:
Step 1: Pass the knowledge test and vision screening
Take the test online, at a deputy registrar, or at a driver exam station. Also complete a vision screening (at a driver exam station or eye doctor). You'll receive a receipt when you pass.
Step 2: Visit a deputy registrar's office
Within 60 days of passing the test, bring your receipt and required documents to a deputy registrar's office to pay the $23.50 fee and receive your TIPIC.
Important: Your receipt is only valid for 60 days. If you don't pick up your TIPIC within that time, you'll need to retake the knowledge test.
TIPIC Driving Rules
While driving with an Ohio TIPIC:
Supervision required: You must have a licensed driver at least 21 years old (or a parent/guardian) in the front passenger seat.
Under 16: You can only drive with a parent, guardian, or certified driving instructor.
All passengers must wear seat belts.
No mobile device use while driving.
Your TIPIC is valid for 1 year. If it expires before you get your probationary license, you'll need to start over with the knowledge test.
Getting Your Probationary License
After holding your TIPIC for at least 6 months and completing all requirements, you can take the road test for your probationary license (if under 18).
Requirements:
Be at least 16 years old
Have held TIPIC for at least 6 months
Complete driver education (24 hrs classroom + 8 hrs BTW)
Complete 50 hours of supervised driving (10 at night)
Pass the behind-the-wheel driving skills test
Have parental approval
Probationary License Restrictions
Curfew (under 17)
No driving between midnight and 6 AM unless driving to/from school events, religious events (with documentation), work, or accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Curfew (age 17)
No driving between 1 AM and 5 AM unless accompanied by a parent/guardian or driving to/from school activities, work, or an emergency.
Passenger restriction
No more than 1 non-family member in the vehicle unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. Immediate family members don't count against this limit.
Cell phone ban
All mobile device use is prohibited while driving.
Seat belts
Driver and all passengers must wear seat belts.
Penalties: A traffic conviction in the first 6 months may require parental supervision until age 17. Multiple violations can result in license suspension.
Getting Your Full License
Your probationary license automatically becomes unrestricted when you turn 18. The physical license doesn't need to be replaced until you turn 21.
Once you're 18, all GDL restrictions (curfew, passenger limits) are lifted, and you have full driving privileges.
The Driver's Manual
The Ohio Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws is the official study guide for the knowledge test. It's available online on the Ohio BMV website.
The manual covers Ohio traffic laws, road signs and signals, right-of-way rules, safe driving practices, and special situations. All test questions are based on this material.
The manual is available in multiple languages. Focus especially on road signs, right-of-way rules, and Ohio-specific laws.
Practice Tests
Taking practice tests is an effective way to prepare. With a 75% passing threshold, the Ohio test is more forgiving than many states, but you should still study thoroughly.
DMV Question Bank: For thorough preparation, take Ohio BMV practice tests on DMV Question Bank. Practice until you're consistently scoring above 85% to ensure a comfortable margin.
Study strategy: Read the manual, take practice tests, identify weak areas, review those sections, and test again until you're confident.
Supervised Driving Requirements
Before taking the road test for your probationary license, you must complete:
50 hours of supervised driving practice (in addition to driver ed)
At least 10 hours must be at night
Your supervising driver must be at least 21 years old (or a parent/guardian of any age).
Keep a driving log to document your practice hours. You'll need to certify completion when you apply for your probationary license.
Quick Reference
| Minimum permit age | 15 years and 6 months |
| Permit name | TIPIC (Temporary Instruction Permit ID Card) |
| TIPIC fee | $23.50 |
| TIPIC validity | 1 year |
| Knowledge test questions | 40 |
| Passing score | 30 correct (75%) |
| Online test available | Yes |
| Test languages | 8 (English, Spanish, others) |
| Wait after failure | 1 business day |
| Max attempts | Unlimited |
| Min. holding period | 6 months |
| Supervised driving hours | 50 total (plus driver ed) |
| Night driving hours | 10 hours minimum |
| Supervising driver age | 21+ (or parent/guardian) |
| Driver's ed required | Yes, if under 18 |
| Driver's ed classroom | 24 hours |
| Driver's ed BTW | 8 hours |
| Online driver's ed | Accepted |
| Curfew (under 17) | Midnight–6am |
| Curfew (age 17) | 1am–5am |
| Passenger restriction | 1 non-family member |
| Cell phone use | Prohibited |
| Full license | At age 18 |