Probationary License

You'll be able to move on to the next step of the Ohio BMV GDL program by obtaining your probationary license if you:

• Are at least 16 years old.

• Have had your temporary instruction permit for at least 6 months.

• Have the certificate proving you completed an OH driver's education course.

• Have completed at least 50 hours of supervised driving with 10 hours completed at night and submit a Fifty Hour Affidavit(Form BMV 5791).

Once you meet the requirements above, contact the Ohio BMV to schedule your driving test, or schedule one online.

For the driving test, you must:

• Provide your own car.

• Bring your Driver's Ed certificate of completion.

• Pass both the driving and maneuverability portions of the test.

  • If you're 18 years old or older and fail the test, you MUST take an abbreviated driver's training course before attempting the test again. 

After you pass the BMV road test, submit the following to your local Ohio deputy registrar office:

• Your OH learner's permit.

• Payment for your first-time probationary driver's license fee (cash, check, or money order) As you can see below, due to Ohio driving laws 16 year old drivers pay slightly more for their licenses:

• 16 years old: $24.25. 

• 17 years old: $23.

• 18 years old: $21.75

Driving Restrictions

During the first 12 months of holding a probationary Ohio driver's license, you may:

• Drive between 6 a.m. and midnight.

  • You may operate a vehicle outside of those hours when traveling with a parent/legal guardian OR to and from:

    • Work, with an Employer Approval for Probationary Driver License Holders Driving Within Restricted Hours (Form BMV 2825.)

    • A school or church event, with an Event Official Approval for Probationary Driver License Holders Driving Within Restricted Hours (Form BMV 2826.) 

• Not drive with more than 1 passenger who is not a family member without a parent or guardian present.

After the first 12 months, if you're under 18 years old, you may:

• Drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.. 

  • You may operate a vehicle outside of those hours when traveling with a parent/legal guardian OR to and from:

    • Work, with an Employer Approval for Probationary Driver License Holders Driving Within Restricted Hours (Form BMV 2825.)

    • A school or church event, with an Event Official Approval for Probationary Driver License Holders Driving Within Restricted Hours (Form BMV 2826.)

Full Unrestricted Ohio Driver License

You must follow the Ohio BMV probationary license driving restrictions until you are at least 18 years old. See “Ohio GDL Program & Restrictions" above for details. When you turn 18 years old, these driving restrictions will be lifted and your probationary driver's license will convert to a full, unrestricted OH driver's license. Track and share your progress when you follow our new license checklist for Ohio.