Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles · 2026
Ohio BMV Test Cheat Sheet
Every number and rule you need to memorize — all on one page. Print this out.
Speed Limits
| Location | Speed |
|---|
| Rural interstate | 70 mph |
| State routes/through highways outside business districts | 35 mph |
| Freeways with paved shoulders inside municipal corporations | 55 mph |
| State routes within municipal corps outside urban districts | 50 mph |
| Streets within a municipal corporation (city/town) | 25 mph |
| School zone (children present) | 20 mph |
| Mobile home parks | 15 mph |
| School bus (non-interstate roads) | 40 mph |
Parking Clearances
| Object | Minimum Distance |
|---|
| Fire hydrant | 10 feet |
| Crosswalk at intersection | 20 feet |
| Fire station driveway | 20 feet |
| Stop sign / yield sign / traffic signal | 30 feet |
| Railroad crossing (nearest rail) | 50 feet |
| Parallel parking (from curb) | 12 inches max |
OVI / Alcohol Laws
| Rule | Value |
|---|
| BAC limit (21+) | 0.08% |
| BAC limit (under 21) | 0.02% |
| High-tier OVI penalties | 0.17%+ BAC (doubled minimums, mandatory IID) |
| Refusing chemical test | 1-year suspension |
| 1st OVI (BAC under .17%) | 1st degree misdemeanor — up to 6 months jail, minimum fines + possible suspension |
| 1st OVI (BAC .17%+) | High-tier OVI — enhanced minimum jail, mandatory IID |
| 4th OVI within 10 years | Felony OVI charge (Ohio's lookback = 10 years) |
| Cannabis | Legal in Ohio — but driving impaired = OVI |
Teen / GDL Rules
| Rule | Value |
|---|
| TIPIC permit minimum age | 15½ (15 years, 6 months) |
| Driver education (under 21) | Required for ALL first-time applicants under 21: 24 hrs classroom + 8 hrs BTW |
| Permit hold period | 6 months (180 days) (6 months) |
| Required practice hours | 50 hours (10 at night) |
| Supervisor age (under 16) | Parent, guardian, custodian, licensed instructor, or person 21+ acting in loco parentis (in front passenger seat) |
| Probationary license age | 16 years old (after 6-month TIPIC hold + completed driver ed) |
| Curfew Phase 1 (first 12 months) | Midnight – 6:00 AM — exceptions: work (Form BMV 2825), school-sponsored or religious event (Form BMV 2826), or accompanied by parent/guardian |
| Curfew Phase 2 (after 12 months) | 1:00 AM – 5:00 AM — same exceptions apply (ORC 4507.071) |
| Full license at | Age 18 |
| texting banned for all; under-18 may not use ANY phone while driving |
Distances & Equipment
| Rule | Value |
|---|
| Following distance | 4 seconds minimum (Ohio BMV manual — increase in adverse conditions) |
| Signal before turning | 100 feet (ORC 4511.39) |
| Dim high beams — oncoming | 500 feet |
| Dim high beams — following | 300 feet |
| Headlights on when | Sunset to sunrise + any time wipers are on |
| Headlights visibility required | 500 feet |
| Horn audible from | 200 feet |
| Turn signals visible from | 300 feet |
| Passing clearance for cyclists | 3 feet minimum |
| Stop from railroad tracks | 15–50 feet from nearest rail |
| License valid (under 21) | Expires on 21st birthday |
| License valid (21–64) | 4 years (or 8-year option for qualified applicants) |
| Retake exam after fail | Next business day |
| Retake driving test after fail | Under 21: wait 2 days; 21+: complete Abbreviated Adult Driver Training Course first |
Print tip: Press Ctrl+P (or Cmd+P on Mac) to print this page. Keep it by your desk while studying, then leave it home on test day — you've got this.