Ohio DMV Permit Practice Test 2026

This page covers what you need to know for the Ohio driver's license knowledge exam: how the test works, the Ohio-specific rules that often show up on it, and sample questions with explained answers. Everything here is based on the official Ohio driver's manual and state traffic code (sources are listed at the bottom). The real Ohio test has 40 questions and you need 30 correct (75%) to pass.

When you're ready, take a free 25-question practice test that mixes Ohio-specific questions with general driving questions, with an explanation after every answer. Each attempt draws a new set. No signup needed.

Ohio Permit Test and Licensing Facts

Knowledge Test	40 questions, must score 30/40 (75%) to pass
Minimum Permit Age	15 years 6 months
Minimum License Age	16
Speed Limits	Highway: up to 70 mph \| Residential: 25 mph \| School Zone: 20 mph
OVI Law	BAC limit: 0.08% (Under 21: 0.02%)
Point System	Points range from 2 to 6. 12 or more points in 2 years triggers a suspension.

Rules Specific to Ohio

Ohio uses the unique term OVI (Operating a Vehicle Impaired) instead of DUI or DWI
Ohio requires 50 hours of supervised driving including 10 at night for drivers under 18
Ohio requires 75% to pass the knowledge test — lower than most states

Sample Ohio Permit Test Questions

These questions cover rules that are specific to Ohio. They're the ones people most often miss, because the answer differs from state to state.

What is the per se BAC limit for most adult (21+) drivers?
- A. 0.05%
- B. 0.08%
- C. 0.10%
- D. 0.16%
Answer: 0.08%. A BAC at or above this level can support an OVI charge based on alcohol concentration. Impairment can still be charged at lower BACs.
Ohio’s “underage OVI” threshold for drivers under 21 starts at what BAC level?
- A. 0.00%
- B. 0.02%
- C. 0.05%
- D. 0.08%
Answer: 0.02%. Drivers under 21 can face underage OVI consequences at very low BAC levels. The safest choice is to never drive after drinking.
In Ohio, booster-seat use is commonly required until which threshold is met, whichever comes first?
- A. Age 6 or 4'0"
- B. Age 8 or 4'9"
- C. Age 10 or 5'0"
- D. Age 12 or 5'4"
Answer: Age 8 or 4'9". Children should be properly restrained in the appropriate seat for their size. A seat belt should fit correctly before switching to belt-only use.
Unless otherwise posted, what is the typical speed limit in Ohio municipal business districts?
- A. 15 mph
- B. 20 mph
- C. 25 mph
- D. 35 mph
Answer: 25 mph. Urban and business areas commonly have lower default limits unless signs show a different speed. Always slow further for pedestrians and traffic.
Ohio law prohibits stopping or parking within what distance of a fire hydrant?
- A. Within 5 feet
- B. Within 10 feet
- C. Within 15 feet
- D. Within 20 feet
Answer: Within 10 feet. Hydrants must remain accessible for emergency use. Keep extra space if curb markings or signs indicate a larger no-parking area.
At what age can you take the vision screening and knowledge test for an Ohio temporary instruction permit (TIPIC)?
- A. 15
- B. 15 years and 6 months
- C. 16
- D. 16 years and 6 months
Answer: 15 years and 6 months. You meet the minimum age for the vision screening and knowledge test at 15 years and six months.
How many questions are on the Ohio knowledge test, and what score do you need to pass?
- A. 20 questions, 70%
- B. 30 questions, 80%
- C. 40 questions, 75%
- D. 50 questions, 80%
Answer: 40 questions, 75%. The Ohio knowledge test has 40 multiple-choice questions and you need 75% to pass.
If you fail the Ohio knowledge test, how long must you wait to retake it?
- A. One day
- B. One week
- C. Two weeks
- D. 30 days
Answer: One day. You must wait one day. There's no limit on total attempts, but you can only test once a day.
After passing the Ohio knowledge test, how long do you have to buy your TIPIC at a Deputy Registrar?
- A. 14 days
- B. 30 days
- C. 60 days
- D. 90 days
Answer: 60 days. Visit a Deputy Registrar License Agency within 60 days of passing to purchase the TIPIC.
How much supervised driving must an Ohio driver under 21 log before the driving test?
- A. 30 hours, 5 at night
- B. 40 hours, 10 at night
- C. 50 hours, 10 at night
- D. 60 hours, 15 at night
Answer: 50 hours, 10 at night. Drivers under 21 must log 50 hours with an eligible licensed driver, including at least 10 hours at night, on top of driver education.
How long must an Ohio driver under 18 hold a TIPIC before getting a license?
- A. 14 days
- B. 3 months
- C. 6 months
- D. 1 year
Answer: 6 months. Drivers under 18 must hold the TIPIC for at least six months. Temporary residents 21 and older need only 14 days.
What does Ohio driver education require for applicants under 21?
- A. 8 hours of classroom only
- B. 24 hours of classroom or online instruction and 8 hours of driving
- C. 30 hours of classroom and 6 hours of driving
- D. No formal course, just 50 logged hours
Answer: 24 hours of classroom or online instruction and 8 hours of driving. Driver education must include 24 hours of classroom or online instruction and 8 hours of driving time at a licensed school.
A 16- or 17-year-old Ohio TIPIC holder may practice with any licensed driver 21 or older, except during which hours, when a parent or guardian must be with them?
- A. 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- B. 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- C. Midnight to 6 a.m.
- D. 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.
Answer: Midnight to 6 a.m.. From midnight to 6 a.m., a 16- or 17-year-old permit holder must be accompanied by a licensed parent, guardian, or custodian.
During the first 12 months with an Ohio license, when may a driver under 18 not drive, unless an exception applies?
- A. 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- B. 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- C. Midnight to 6 a.m.
- D. 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.
Answer: Midnight to 6 a.m.. In the first year the restricted hours are midnight to 6 a.m. After 12 months they narrow to 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. Exceptions include work, school or religious events, and a parent riding along.
During the first 12 months with an Ohio license, how many non-family passengers may a driver under 18 carry without a parent or guardian?
- A. None
- B. One
- C. Two
- D. Three
Answer: One. Newly licensed teens may not carry more than one non-family passenger unless a parent or guardian is in the car.
A school bus is stopped to load students on an Ohio road with fewer than four lanes. Where must traffic from either direction stop?
- A. Right beside the bus
- B. At least 10 feet from the front or rear of the bus
- C. At least 25 feet away
- D. Only traffic behind the bus must stop
Answer: At least 10 feet from the front or rear of the bus. On roads with fewer than four lanes, traffic in both directions must stop at least 10 feet from the bus until it moves or the driver signals you on.
A school bus is stopped on an Ohio road with four or more lanes. Who must stop?
- A. All traffic in both directions
- B. Only traffic moving in the same direction as the bus
- C. No one, if there is a median
- D. Only traffic in the lane next to the bus
Answer: Only traffic moving in the same direction as the bus. On roads with four or more lanes, only traffic going the same direction as the bus must stop behind it.
When a train is approaching an Ohio railroad crossing, where must you stop?
- A. Right at the tracks
- B. No closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet
- C. At least 100 feet back
- D. Wherever the gate is
Answer: No closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet. Stop between 15 and 50 feet from the crossing, and wait until the train has passed and the signals stop.
In Ohio, you may not park within how many feet of an intersection or crosswalk?
- A. 10 feet
- B. 15 feet
- C. 20 feet
- D. 30 feet
Answer: 20 feet. Parking is prohibited in or within 20 feet of an intersection or crosswalk.
When does Ohio law require headlights?
- A. Only from sunset to sunrise
- B. Sunset to sunrise, when visibility is poor, and when wipers are on because of precipitation
- C. Only in fog
- D. Only on highways
Answer: Sunset to sunrise, when visibility is poor, and when wipers are on because of precipitation. Headlights are required from sunset to sunrise, whenever visibility is poor, when you can't see 1,000 feet ahead, and whenever wipers are in use because of rain or snow.
What following distance does the Ohio Driver Manual recommend?
- A. 1 second
- B. 2 seconds
- C. 4 seconds, or one car length per 10 mph
- D. 8 seconds
Answer: 4 seconds, or one car length per 10 mph. Keep at least one vehicle length per 10 mph, or four seconds, behind the vehicle ahead.
For drivers 18 and older in Ohio, what is the penalty for a first distracted-driving (handheld device) offense in two years?
- A. A warning only
- B. 2 points and up to a $150 fine
- C. 4 points and a $500 fine
- D. A license suspension
Answer: 2 points and up to a $150 fine. A first offense is 2 points and up to $150, which a distracted driving course can help avoid. A second offense is 3 points and up to $250.
What happens when an Ohio driver accumulates 12 or more points within two years?
- A. A warning letter
- B. A 12-point license suspension
- C. Mandatory retesting only
- D. A higher insurance rate only
Answer: A 12-point license suspension. 6 points in two years brings a warning letter. 12 or more points in two years brings a license suspension.
What is the Administrative License Suspension (ALS) for a first refusal to take a chemical test in Ohio?
- A. 90 days
- B. 6 months
- C. One year
- D. Two years
Answer: One year. A first refusal brings a one-year suspension. One prior refusal or OVI conviction in 10 years raises it to two years.
What must Ohio drivers do when approaching a stopped police car, fire truck, tow truck, or snowplow with flashing lights?
- A. Speed up to pass quickly
- B. Move to an adjacent lane and/or slow down
- C. Stop in the lane
- D. Honk to alert the workers
Answer: Move to an adjacent lane and/or slow down. Ohio's Move Over law requires moving to an adjacent lane if possible and/or slowing down for stopped emergency, road service, and similar vehicles.
How much space must you keep between your vehicle and a bicycle when passing in Ohio?
- A. At least 2 feet
- B. At least 3 feet
- C. At least 5 feet
- D. One car width
Answer: At least 3 feet. Maintain a safety zone of at least three feet when passing a bicyclist.

Ohio Permit Test FAQ

How many questions are on the Ohio permit test?

The Ohio knowledge test has 40 multiple-choice questions. You need at least 30 correct answers (75%) to pass.

How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in Ohio?

The minimum age for a learner's permit in Ohio is 15 years 6 months. The minimum age for a driver's license is 16.

What is the legal blood alcohol limit in Ohio?

Ohio calls impaired driving OVI. The limit is 0.08% BAC for drivers 21 and over, and 0.02% for drivers under 21.

How does the Ohio driver point system work?

Points range from 2 to 6. 12 or more points in 2 years triggers a suspension.

What are the default speed limits in Ohio?

Typical limits in Ohio are up to 70 mph on highways, 25 mph in residential areas and 20 mph in school zones. Posted signs always take priority.

Sources

The facts and questions on this page are based on the following official Ohio government sources:

Facts and questions last checked against the Ohio Driver Manual (Digest of Ohio Motor Vehicle Laws) on September 24, 2026.

Laws change. Always check the current Ohio driver's manual before your test. This site is unofficial and not affiliated with any Ohio government agency.