Ohio Driver Training

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Parents & Teens

Under Ohio law, a young driver must have a minimum of 24 hours of classroom instruction and 8 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction in driver training.

Students may take the 24 hours of education through an online program, but must complete behind-the-wheel training at a traditional driving school. Students also must complete at least 50 hours of in-car practice (10 at night) with a parent or legal guardian.

FIND A DRIVING SCHOOL

Resources

Your Move Ohio – Tips to be safe when you walk, bike, bus or drive.

Give 3 Feet

Did you know? Drivers are required to give bicyclists at least 3 feet of space when passing.

Online Programs

Online driver education providers go through a process that includes a review of security measures, written content and curriculum, and actual student experience to ensure minimum standards are met. Once a program achieves an acceptable rating in all areas of the review process, it is licensed as an Online Driver Education Program in Ohio.

Click HERE to search for an Ohio-approved online provider.

Juvenile Driver Improvement Programs

The Juvenile Driver Improvement Program or Juvenile Remedial is a six-hour course required by courts and Ohio BMV for teens who have received a second or third traffic conviction. The course discusses reasons to modify unsafe driving behaviors and decisions teens make as novice drivers.

Click HERE to search for an approved juvenile remedial provider.

Advanced Juvenile Driver Improvement Programs

State law provides juvenile traffic offenders an opportunity to take a state-approved advanced juvenile driver improvement program (AJDIP) and petition the judge at the sentencing hearing with their AJDIP certificate. AJDIP training provides a hands-on approach to performing emergency maneuvers due to inclement weather and crash avoidance for those not-so-ideal traffic situations.

Click HERE to search for an approved AJDIP provider.

Adult Drivers

Driver training options for adult drivers include abbreviated adult, mature driver and commercial driver training.

Abbreviated Adult Programs

An applicant for an initial driver’s license, who is age 18 or older and who fails the first attempt at the maneuverability or road portion of the driving test, is required to take an abbreviated adult driver training course before attempting the driving test for a second time. The course will consist of one of the following:

  • A 4-hour in-person class followed by 4 hours of behind-the-wheel training with a licensed instructor with a licensed abbreviated adult driver training school.
  • A 4-hour state-approved online course followed by 4 hours of behind-the-wheel training with a licensed instructor affiliated with a licensed abbreviated adult driver training school.
  • A 4-hour in-person class followed by 24 hours of driving with a licensed driver 21 years of age or older*.
  • A 4-hour state-approved online course followed by 24 hours of driving with a licensed driver 21 years of age or older*. 

*Applicants who choose the option for 24 hours of driving with a licensed driver 21 years of age or older cannot complete more than four hours of driving in one day. In addition, applicants who choose this option are required to complete the Twenty-Four Hour Affidavit (BMV 5789).

Click HERE to download Abbreviated Adult Program reference card.

Click HERE to search for an approved abbreviated adult course provider.

Adult Remedial Programs

The adult remedial program is an 8-hour defensive driving program offered in a classroom setting. The course is taken for one of the following reasons:

  • 2-Point Credit – if a driver has 2 to 11 points on their license, this course may apply a 2-point credit. A 2-point credit allows a driver to receive 14 points before having their driver's license suspended. The credit is valid for three years and a driver may only take the course for this purpose five times in their lifetime.
  • Court Ordered – not for credit. The driver was ordered by a court to take the remedial program and will not receive a 2-point credit. The certificate is sent to the court.
  • Juvenile Suspension – The driver is 19 years of age or older and is taking the course because of a juvenile suspension that occurred before the age of 18.
  • Suspension for OVI/OVUAC – The driver's license was suspended due to being under the age of 21 and under the influence of alcohol while operating a vehicle.
  • 12-point suspension – The certificate is provided to the BMV as part of the requirements for being eligible to retain or have the driver's license returned due to a 12-point suspension.

Click HERE to search for an approved abbreviated adult remedial program provider.

Mature Driver Programs

Mature driver courses are designed to update older drivers on new laws and practices in the ever-changing driving environment. Courses include classroom and driving sessions with a certified driving school. A certificate issued at the completion of the program will allow a driver, at least 60 years of age and older, to receive a discount on their insurance (rate of discount determined by the insurance company).

Click HERE for to search for an approved mature driver course provider.

CDL Programs

Commercial Driver License (CDL) programs train drivers interested in the commercial trucking industry.

  • Programs for Class A vehicles consist of at least 80 hours combining classroom, range and road training.
  • Programs for Class B vehicles consist of at least 40 hours combining classroom, range and road training.

Click HERE to search for an approved CDL course provider.

Click HERE for the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) registration needs/requirements, or call toll-free 800-832-5660.