OHIO — Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 30, Ohio’s youngest drivers will face new requirements before earning their licenses.
Under the updated rules, anyone under 21 seeking a driver’s license must complete a state-approved driver education course, which includes 24 hours of classroom instruction and eight hours of behind-the-wheel training with a certified instructor.
In addition, they must log 50 hours of supervised driving practice with a licensed adult.
Gov. Mike DeWine and other state officials are expected to introduce a new app Monday to help families track supervised driving hours and support new drivers as they prepare for licensing.
Driving schools across the state are preparing for higher demand and exploring ways to serve more students.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is also urging schools to use its “Drive to Live” safety presentations, while parents can access resources on the Department of Public Safety’s “Teach Your Teen to Drive” website.
Officials say the changes are aimed at reducing crashes among young drivers. Between 2023 and 2024, motorists ages 15 to 24 were involved in nearly 155,000 crashes in Ohio, with almost two-thirds of those determined to be their fault. Those crashes led to nearly 400 deaths and more than 40,000 injuries.
