What to bring to the Ohio BMV permit test

For the learner's permit and knowledge test

• Documents proving full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number (if assigned), citizenship or legal presence, and Ohio street address (two address documents for a federally compliant card)
• A parent or guardian with ID to co-sign if under 18

Fees

• Temporary instruction permit (TIPIC), operator (deputy registrar fee included): $26.50
• Temporary permit, operator, when license expired more than 6 months but within 2 years: $29.50
• Temporary permit, motorcycle or moped: $25.50
• First operator driver license, age 16 (4-year): $28.75
• First operator driver license, age 17 (4-year): $27.50
• First operator driver license, age 18 (4-year): $26.25
• First operator driver license, age 19 (4-year): $25.00
• First operator driver license, age 20 (4-year): $23.75
• First operator driver license, age 21+ (4-year / 8-year): $27.50 / $54.00
• Renewal operator license (4-year / 8-year): $30.25 / $59.40

The vision test

Binocular vision: 20/40 or better (both eyes together) for a license without vision restrictions; poorer than 20/40 but not worse than 20/70 allows daylight-only driving; worse than 20/70 is denied. Monocular vision (one eye 20/200 or better): 20/30 for no restriction; poorer than 20/30 but not worse than 20/60 daylight only; worse than 20/60 denied. Visual field: 70 degrees on both sides of center for an unrestricted license; at least 70 degrees on one side and 45 on the other qualifies with a mirror restriction. If you need glasses or contacts to meet the standard, you get a corrective-lens restriction.

Bring your glasses or contact lenses if you wear them to see clearly.

For the road test

• TIPIC
• Driver Education Certificate
• Completed BMV 5791 Fifty-Hour Affidavit
• A vehicle in good condition with current registration; turn signals, brake lights, horn, wipers and headlights must work; front doors must open from inside and outside; automated assistance such as self-parking must be disabled

What happens on the road test

After you pass: your permit

• Hold it for at least 6 months (under 18); 14 days for temporary residents 21 and older before the road test.
• Log 50 hours of supervised driving, 10 of them at night.
• Under 16: a parent, guardian, custodian, licensed driving instructor, or a person 21 or older acting in loco parentis in the front passenger seat
• Age 16-17: any licensed driver 21 or older in the front seat, except from midnight to 6 a.m., when a parent, guardian or custodian with a valid license, or a licensed driver 21 or older named on a notarized form BMV 2438, must be in the front seat
• Age 18 and older: practice only with a licensed driver 21 or older
• All ages: carry the TIPIC; the supervising adult must not be intoxicated; the driver and all passengers must be belted; no more occupants than safety belts; no use of any mobile electronic device

Before you go

Take a practice test or two the day before, and the exam simulator to check you can pass in the real format. Bring originals, not photocopies, unless the BMV says copies are accepted.