Your Guide to the Ohio Driving Test

The Ohio driving test includes two sections: a maneuverability test and a road test. Pass both parts to receive your Ohio driver’s license.
Written by John Davis
Edited by Sarah Gray
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You must pass a two-part driving test to get your license in Ohio. The test includes a maneuverability skills exam and a road test. 
  • Ohio drivers must pass a two-part driving test to receive a driver’s license. 
  • The exam includes a maneuverability and road test. 
  • Before you can take the driving test, you must pass a vision test and a written exam.
  • If you fail the driving test, you can reschedule after two days have passed, or you take an Abbreviated Adult Driver Training Course. 

You must complete a driving test to get an Ohio driver’s license

Before taking the driving test, first-time drivers in
Ohio
must pass a knowledge test and a vision test. 
The vision test is conducted by the Ohio BMV and is a basic eye exam—you must read a combination of letters and numbers correctly to demonstrate you can see well enough to drive.
The knowledge test is a 40-question written exam covering
traffic laws
, road signs, vehicle regulations, and more. The exam is available in English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Japanese, Russian, Somali, and Spanish. 
You can take the knowledge test online using the
Ohio BMV online services
or in person at a
driver exam station
Prior to taking the knowledge test, it’s a good idea to prepare by studying your
driver's manual
and taking a few
practice tests
. Your driver’s manual will help you learn common road signs and how to navigate standard driving situations, while the sample tests will help you familiarize yourself with the exam format and style of questions. 
Keep in mind: You must have at least 75% correct answers to receive a passing score on the written test. 
If you fail the written exam, you can schedule another attempt after 24 hours elapse. If you pass, you will receive your temporary instruction permit identification card (TIPIC) or
learner’s permit
Drivers over 18 are eligible to take the driving test once they pass the vision test and obtain a TIPIC. However, in addition to passing the vision test and
obtaining a TIPIC
, drivers under 18 must complete the following:
  • 32 hours of
    driving school
    and present a driver education certificate
  • Complete 50 hours of practice driving with a licensed adult over 21 (including 10 hours of nighttime driving) and turn in the
    50-hour affidavit
      
Key Takeaway Before you can take the driving test, you must pass a vision and knowledge test—drivers under 18 must also complete a 32-hour driver education course. 

The road test includes a maneuverability and driving test

After passing the vision test and knowledge test—and completing the driver education course, if you’re under 18—you can take the Ohio driving test. We can break Ohio’s road test down into two parts:
  • Maneuverability test: This section measures your ability to navigate obstacles and tight spaces in your car. The instructor will ask you to move forward through a set of markers and then move in reverse through the markers. If you run over or knock over any of the markers or barriers, the instructor will deduct points from your final score.
  • Driving test: The road test analyzes your driving skills, including your ability to brake, accelerate, turn around, back up, use turn signals, maintain a safe following distance, and drive in the correct lane. You should also demonstrate a sufficient understanding of traffic signals, including stop signs, and when it’s safe to pass large vehicles, like a school bus. 
If you pass the driving and maneuverability tests, you can
visit a deputy registrar
to receive your license. 
If you fail the test and are under 18, you can try again after two days. If you’re over 18 and fail, you must take an Abbreviated Adult Driver Training Course before you can try again—unless you’ve completed an approved driver education course in the last 12 months. 
If you have to take an Abbreviated Adult Driver Training Course, you have the following four options:
  • Take a four-hour in-person class followed by four hours of behind-the-wheel instruction with a licensed teacher.
  • Take a four-hour online course approved by the state, followed by four hours of behind-the-wheel instruction with a licensed teacher.
  • Take a four-hour in-person course followed by 24 hours of practice driving with a licensed adult over 21.
  • Take a four-hour online course approved by the state, followed by 24 hours of practice driving with a licensed adult over 21. 
If you choose either of the 24-hour options, you must submit the
24-hour affidavit form

Book an Ohio road test through the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV)

New Ohio drivers must use the
Ohio BMV online services
to schedule a driving test or visit a local
exam station
in person. 
When you’re ready to take the test, you’ll need to bring the following:
  • Proof of identity, like a state-issued ID card or passport
  • Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal immigration status, like a birth certificate or green card
  • Your social security number
  • Proof of Ohio residency
    , like a utility bill
  • The car you plan to take the test in, plus valid proof of
    car insurance
    , current registration, and license plates
  • For drivers under 18, a parent or legal guardian

FAQs

No—unlike some states, Ohio does not require license applicants to parallel park as part of the driving test. However, the state does require drivers to pass a maneuverability test, which includes driving forward through a set of curved markers and then reversing through the same set of markers. 
The difficulty of the Ohio driving test varies from person to person, depending on their level of preparedness and driving experience. 
That said, the test includes two sections: a maneuverability test and a road test. The maneuverability test analyzes your ability to navigate obstacles, while the road test is designed to measure your driving skills, including your knowledge of right-of-way, traffic signs, and your ability to follow the speed limit. 
Neither section of the test includes parallel parking, which many students find to be one of the most challenging parts of traditional driving tests. As long as you take a few practice tests and study your driver’s handbook, you should have no issues passing. 
The state of Ohio requires you to use your own vehicle for the driving test. Your car must be in good working condition, free of any defects or safety issues, and you must have valid car insurance, current registration, and license plates.
While the Ohio driving test does not feature parallel parking, it does include a maneuverability and road test. The maneuverability section includes driving forward through markers and “parking” and then reversing through the same markers and “parking” again. 
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