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Under the laws of Ohio, if you operate any motor vehicle on the streets or highways, you must have a driver’s license or learner's permit. To get a license or learner's permit, you must pass a driver knowledge test on Ohio traffic laws and road signs. The questions are multiple choice and are based on the material in the Ohio Driver's Manual. The Ohio DMV written test is designed to check your knowledge of traffic signs, identification of signals and pavement markings, road rules and safe driving practices. The test consists of 40 questions. To pass the Ohio DMV written test, you are allowed to miss 5 of the 20 questions about road signs, and 5 of the 20 questions about road rules.
1. This sign means:
traffic signal ahead sign
Traffic signals ahead
You must stop ahead
Speeding is not allowed
You must yield the right-of-way ahead
2. This sign indicates:
do not enter2
that you must not drive past this sign.
the entrance to a dead-end street.
that you must yield the right-of-way.
the entrance to a construction site.
3. This road sign means:
y intersection
A road joins from the right
The road ends ahead
“Y” intersection ahead
A four-way intersection is ahead
4. This sign tells drivers:
no turn on red sign
turning right on red is forbidden.
they may not turn right or left during the red light.
they must wait for the traffic signal to turn green before turning right or left.
All of the above.
5. This road sign means:
no u turn sign
No Turning
Side road
No U-Turn
No right turn
6. This sign indicates:
cross road sign
a church zone ahead.
a no passing zone.
a side road.
a cross road.
7. What does this road sign indicate?
hospital
Interstate highway
Area reserved for people with disabilities
Hill area
Hospital service
8. What does a flashing red light mean?
flashing red light
NO TURN ON RED.
Yield.
The same thing as a stop sign.
Drivers may move forward with caution.
9. What does a yellow arrow signal mean?
yellow arrow
The same as a green light.
Vehicles moving in all directions must stop if they can. The light will soon be red.
The same as the yellow light, but applies only to movement in the direction of the arrow.
None of the above.
10. This road sign means:
center lane left turns sign
The center lane in both directions of travel will soon turn left.
Vehicles may only travel in the center lane.
Sharp left turns ahead, in both directions.
The center lane is shared for left turns in both directions of travel.
 
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Frequently Asked Questions

If you are 15 ½, you can get a TIPIC (temporary instruction permit identification card) within 60 days of passing the knowledge and vision tests. After holding the permit for six months and completing your driving instruction, you can apply for a probationary license within 60 days after passing the driving and skills tests. If you're 18 or older, after obtaining the permit, you can obtain a class D driver license without the six-month waiting period.

You have two options:
  • You can visit an Ohio driver exam office. No appointment is required, but check days and business hours of the chosen office.
  • You can take the test online at KnowTo Drive, the official knowledge testing platform. If you are between 15 ½ and 19 years old, you must be supervised by a driver who is at least 19 years old. After passing the test, you are still required to visit a local Ohio BMV office to validate your identity and pass the vision screening.

Applicants can choose between a compliant and a standard license. Ensure you have proof for the following based on your card preference:
  • Full legal name (and proof of name change, if applicable)
  • Date of birth
  • Legal presence in the U.S.
  • Social Security number (SSN)
  • Ohio street address (you'll need two documents for a compliant card and one document for a standard card)

Refer to the acceptable documents list for more information.


The BMV written test is offered in multiple languages, including Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Japanese, Russian, Somali, and Spanish. If you speak another language or are hearing impaired, you may use an interpreter

The BMV written test covers road rules, safe driving practices, and road signs. Studying the official Ohio Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws is the first step to pass the exam because it contains all of this information. Once you've read it, you can take our free practice tests!
The Ohio BMV written test consists of 40 multiple-choice questions and is based on the information provided in the manual. Remember, you have 60 minutes to complete the online test. Taking numerous practice tests and thoroughly studying the handbook will increase your chances of success.

To pass the Ohio BMV written test, you need to reach a score of 75%. This means that you must correctly answer 30 questions and can miss up to 10 questions. Sign up for DMV Premium to test your preparation and check if you are ready for the real exam.

With a permit in Ohio, the following restrictions apply:
  • You must have your permit while driving.
  • If you are under 16, a parent/guardian, or a licensed driving instructor must be in the passenger seat. If you are 16 or older, driving is allowed with any licensed driver over 21 in the passenger seat, except between midnight and 6 a.m. During this time you must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, custodian, or an approved driver aged 21 years or older (form BMV 2438).
  • Everyone in the vehicle must use safety belts.

With a probationary license, these restrictions apply:
  • Driving is prohibited from midnight to 6 a.m., unless accompanied by a parent, guardian, or custodian, or an approved driver aged 21 years or older. Exceptions for driving during restricted hours include employment activities and school-sponsored or religious events (form BMV 2826).
  • You can transport only one non-family member unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
  • Everyone in the vehicle must use safety belts.
  • The driver is prohibited from using any mobile devices, including cellular phones.
If you are under 18, during the first 12 months of holding a license, you cannot drive from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., unless accompanied by a parent/guardian or an approved driver aged 21 years or older, authorized by the BMV 2438 form, or for employment activities and school-sponsored or religious events (form BMV 2826).

In Ohio, an instruction permit is valid for a period of one year. If you are under 18, use this time to complete a driver education class (24 hours of instruction and 8 hours of driving time) at a training school and accumulate 50 hours of driving before scheduling the road test to obtain a probationary driver license.

If you don't pass your BMV written test, you'll need to wait for 24 hours before attempting it again. There's no restriction on the number of retests available in person. However, if you opt for the online permit test, you're allowed a maximum of two attempts within a six-month period.

OH BMV Permit Practice Test

Number of questions: 40
Correct answers to pass:30
Passing score:75%
Signs questions:20
Signs - Correct answers to pass:15
Minimum age to apply: 15 ½
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