Ohio Driver's License Study Guide

About This Manual

• The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) provides the Ohio Driver Manual as a study guide for obtaining an Ohio Driver License.
• The manual explains the process for obtaining a Driver License and summarizes motor vehicle laws.

How to Get Your Driver License

• To get a Driver License, you must:
  • Read the manual in its entirety
  • Gather proof of identity documents
  • Study the manual to pass the knowledge test (Sections 2-10)
  • Get a Temporary Instruction Permit Identification Card (TIPIC)
  • Complete a driver education course (if under 18)
  • Schedule and pass the driving test
  • Purchase your Driver License

Vision Screening and Knowledge Testing

• Vision screening is required to meet vision standards
• The knowledge test is 40 multiple-choice questions (75% passage rate needed)
• The test is available in various languages, including Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Japanese, Russian, Somali, and Spanish

Temporary Instruction Permit Identification Card (TIPIC)

• A TIPIC is required after passing the vision screening and knowledge test
• Must be purchased within 60 days of passing the test
• Requires proof of identity documents and social security number
• Restricts driving to certain hours and requires accompaniment by a licensed driver

Driver Education Requirements (Under Age 18)

• Complete a driver education class with 24 hours of classroom/online instruction and 8 hours of driving time
• Complete 50 hours of driving with a parent or guardian, including 10 hours of night driving
• Hold the TIPIC for at least six months

Motorcycle Ohio

• Obtain a motorcycle license or endorsement by completing a motorcycle skills test or the Motorcycle Ohio's Basic Rider Course

Inspecting Your Vehicle

• Ensure your vehicle is safe to drive by checking:
  • Tires (tread depth, no major damage)
  • Lights (headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals)
  • Safety restraints (air bags, seat belts)
  • Driver position and mirror adjustments
  • Windshield wipers and horn

Tire Safety

• Check tire pressure regularly
• Maintain the correct tire pressure level recommended by the vehicle manufacturer
• Avoid underinflated or overinflated tires, and tires with low tread### Tire Safety
• A tire in safe condition has a minimum of 1/16-inch tread depth on the road surface and is free of major bumps or bulges, breaks, or tread damage.
• Use a U.S. penny coin to check tire tread depth: place the coin with President Abraham Lincoln's head into the tire's deepest groove. If you see all of the President's head, your tires are too worn and should be replaced.

Headlights and Lights

• Ohio law requires headlights to be on:
  • From sunset to sunrise
  • When visibility is poor (rain, snow, fog, etc.)
  • When the windshield wipers are in use due to precipitation
• High beam headlights can be used at any time, except when an oncoming vehicle is approaching
• Turn signals should be used to:
  • Show intention to turn right or left
  • Change course of direction
  • Change lanes on a multi-lane road
• Turn signals should be activated at least 100 feet prior to changing direction
• Hazard lights should be used to increase visibility of a vehicle stopped on or near a roadway

Driver Position and Mirror Adjustments

• Adjust the driver's seat to:
  • Have a clear view through the windshield
  • Have full control of the vehicle's foot pedals and steering wheel
  • Leave appropriate space for airbag deployment
• Ensure:
  • Foot pivots smoothly from brake to accelerator while heel is kept on the floor
  • Top of the steering wheel is no higher than the top of your shoulders and below chin level
  • There is at least 10 inches between your chest and the steering wheel
  • Head restraints are adjusted so the head restraint contacts the back of your head and not below the level of your ears
• Adjust the mirrors for the best view towards the vehicle's sides and rear:
  • Inside rear-view mirror: frames the rear window, and traffic flow to the vehicle's rear appears in the mirror
  • Outside mirrors: reduce blind spots and provide maximum visibility to the side and rear on both sides of the vehicle

Safety Restraints

• Air bags are supplemental restraints and are designed to work best in combination with safety belts
• In a crash, air bags and safety belts reduce the chance that your head and upper body will strike some part of the vehicle interior
• Safety belts should be worn even if the vehicle is equipped with air bags
• Always fasten your safety belt and make sure all passengers are using safety belts or child restraints
• For drivers under age 18, the number of vehicle occupants is limited to the number of safety belts originally installed, and all occupants must wear safety belts

Being Alert

• Fatigue can affect your vision and decrease your reaction time
• Aggressive driving occurs when an individual intentionally commits an action that endangers other persons or property
• Distracted driving can result in crashes causing serious harm to you, passengers, pedestrians, or other motorists
• Avoid all types of distraction, including cell phone conversations, text messaging, arguments or emotional conversations with passengers, or eating while driving

Rules of the Road

• Speed limits are considered reasonable speeds based on the road's design, expected traffic volume, and dry weather without fog or other issues affecting visibility
• Right-of-way describes the priority of traffic flow, and drivers should yield the right-of-way to:
  • The driver who is at or arrives before you at an intersection
  • Drivers in the opposing traffic lane when you are making a left turn
  • The driver on your right at a four-way intersection if both of you arrive at the intersection at the same time
• Traffic signals are lights that tell you when to stop and go
• Traffic signs indicate traffic rules, hazards, roadway location, roadway directions, and the location of roadway services
• Lane pavement markings are lines, arrows, words, or symbols painted on the roadway to divide lanes, indicate where you may pass other vehicles, and define pedestrian walkways### Road Markings and Signs
• Yellow solid double line: do not drive to the left of the center line, unless turning left or passing a slow-moving vehicle
• Yellow solid line with a broken (dashed) line: passing is allowed for motorists traveling in the lane with the broken line
• Yellow broken (dashed) line: vehicles traveling in either direction may pass when safe to do so

Two-Way Left Turn Only Lane

• Marked with a broken yellow line and a solid yellow line on each side of the lane
• Also marked with white two-way left-turn lane arrows
• Center lane is only for left turns, not for traveling or passing
• Vehicles from either direction may use the center lane immediately prior to making a left turn

Crosswalks

• Define areas where pedestrians may cross the roadway
• Must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians entering or in a crosswalk
• Stop line must be obeyed if present

Starting and Stopping the Vehicle

• Check the vehicle owner's manual for instructions
• Start the engine by placing the right foot on the brake pedal, checking the gear selector for park, and inserting the key into the ignition or pushing the Start button
• Move the gear selector to "D" (drive) and check for a safe path forward
• Signal and accelerate gradually and smoothly

Steering and Backing Up

• Turn the steering wheel in the direction you want the vehicle to move
• Place both hands on the outside of the steering wheel on opposite sides
• To back up safely, check behind the vehicle, use mirrors and backup cameras, and accelerate gently and smoothly
• Continue looking to the rear until coming to a complete stop

Intersections and Turning

• Reduce speed and search for traffic control devices, oncoming and cross traffic, pedestrians, roadway conditions, and areas of limited visibility
• Signal intentions and enter and maintain proper position in the lane
• Look through the turn to the farthest point possible along the intended path
• Accelerate smoothly to appropriate speed, cancel turn signal, and check traffic to the rear

Roundabouts or Traffic Circles

• Yield to the traffic already in the roundabout
• Slow down to enter the roundabout or traffic circle
• Enter a roundabout or traffic circle in a counterclockwise direction
• Look to the left for traffic and enter when the lane is clear
• Keep moving and do not stop or change lanes
• Proceed to the appropriate exit, turn on signal, and exit

Lane Travel

• Drive on the right half of the roadway, except when:
  • Overtaking and passing another vehicle
  • Driving on a road divided into three or more marked lanes
  • Driving on a road designed and posted for one-way traffic
  • Otherwise directed by a police officer or traffic control device
  • An obstruction makes it necessary to drive left-of-center
• Yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic
• When driving on a road with four or more lanes, drive in the right lane
• Use the lane just right of center to pass and make left turns

Changing Lanes

• Check mirrors and "blind spots" or areas around the vehicle that cannot be seen
• Identify a gap in traffic, signal, and look again in the direction of the lane change
• Adjust speed and steering into the lane
• Cancel turn signal

Passing

• Check for oncoming traffic
• Check mirrors and over the shoulder for following or passing vehicles
• Signal intentions when it is safe to pass
• Steer smoothly into the passing lane
• Maintain or adjust speed as necessary
• Continue to pass until both headlights of the passed vehicle are visible in the rear-view mirror
• Signal intention to return to the lane
• Steer smoothly into the lane, maintaining or adjusting speed as appropriate

Railroad Crossings

• Be aware of round, yellow warning signs with an "X" symbol and "RR" letters, or white, X-shaped (crossbuck) signs with the text "Railroad Crossing"
• Stop no closer than 15 feet from the crossing when a train is approaching
• Wait until the train has passed and any warning signals have stopped before crossing the tracks
• Do not stop on the tracks and do not attempt to cross the tracks when a train is approaching

Stopping for a School Bus

• Must stop for a school bus when the bus is dropping off or picking up students
• Stop at least 10 feet from the front or rear of the bus and remain stopped until the bus begins to move or the bus driver signals motorists to proceed
• If the bus is stopped on a street or road with four or more lanes, only traffic proceeding in the same direction as the bus must stop at the rear of the bus

This study guide provides essential information for obtaining an Ohio Driver's License, as required by law to drive a motor vehicle in Ohio. It is offered by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) to make the licensing process more convenient and efficient.