How to Pass Your Ohio Driving Test- A Quick Guide

Requirements Before Taking Your Ohio Driving Test

Depending on your age, you will have to satisfy different requirements to be eligible to take the road test.

If You’re Under 18

1. Visit the Ohio BMV to take your written knowledge test and vision test
2. Complete a driver’s education course
3. Complete 50 hours of driving (including at least 10 hours of night driving)
4. Hold TIPIC for at least six months, or until you turn 18 (whichever comes first)
5. Schedule a driving test online
6. Take the driving test at your local Ohio BMV

If You’re Over 18

1. Visit the BMV to take your written knowledge test and vision test
2. Practice with a licensed driver on TIPIC for 6 months
3. Schedule a driving test online
4. Take the driving test at your local Ohio BMV

Make Sure You Have the Following on the Day of the Driving Test

Applicants must bring the following things with them:

• A TIPIC
• A driver education certificate (if under 18 years old)
• A vehicle in good condition

Your vehicle will also be inspected before the start of your exam. Ensure that these components operate properly beforehand, or you will not be allowed to take your test.

• Properly inflated tires
• Running headlights and taillights
• Active, valid Ohio registration
• Working horn
• Working turn signal
• Full functional car doors
• No cracks or other obstructions on windshield

What’s Tested on the Ohio Road Test

Ohio is one of the few states that splits the driving test into driving and maneuverability tests.

1. Driving Part

During the driving portion of the exam, you will be tested on your general driving skills. Your instructor will specifically be monitoring your performance doing the following:

• Multi-point turns
• Turning around and reversing
• Staying in your lane
• Maintaining safe following distance

2. Maneuverability Part

The maneuverability portion of the driving test comes in two parts: moving forward through markers and moving backward through markers.

1. For the first part, you will simply drive forward through a 9’ by 20’ box and your instructor will direct you to drive towards the left or right of the center marker. You should steer straight and stop when your bumper is parallel with the course.
2. The second part of the maneuverability test will have you reversing from your stopped position, straight through the box back into its starting position. To pass this portion of the exam, you must also remove the vehicle from the test area without bumping any markers in order to receive a passing grade.

What Happens if You Fail Your Ohio Driving Test?

If you happen to fail the driving test, you will have to wait seven days before performing a retest. If you pass one portion of the test and not the other (e.g. pass driving, fail maneuverability), you will only need to retake the portion that you failed. If you fail more than 4 consecutive times, you will be prompted to wait 6 months before retrying.