With the signing of Ohio's biennial budget, state law requirements are changing for driver training requiring more Ohioans to receive the training they need to be safer drivers.
The budget goes into effect 90 days from when it was signed, which means beginning September 30, 2025, new drivers aged 18, 19, and 20 will have to complete a full driver education course:
- 24 hours of classroom education
- 8 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction
- 50 hours of practice with an eligible adult
According to the Ohio Traffic Safety Office, this change is a data-driven approach to make Ohio's roads safer for all. Crash data compiled by the Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) shows that:
- In 2024, 58% of fatal crashes in Ohio caused by teen drivers involved 18 or 19-year-olds.
- Last year, 97 fatal crashes involved a teen, about 70% of which were the fault of a teen driver.
- Of those drivers, 49% had their driver's license for a year or less and 34% did not receive driver's ed at all.
- A study of Ohio drivers by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia showed that 18–19-year-olds were more likely to be in a serious injury or fatal crash during their 1st months of licensure compared to those licensed for the first time at 16-17, when driver education has been required. OTSO believes there will be similar safety benefits for 18–20-year-olds.
This change is expected to impact about 36,000 people in Ohio each year. Driving schools will be ramping up to meet this increasing demand. Those who are interested in becoming driving instructors can find more information and look for job postings with private driver training schools at https://otso.ohio.gov/programs/ohio-driver-training/for-instructors/instructor-opportunities.
Learn more from these resources:
- Adults in Ohio will soon need more driving training to get a license
- Ohio will require full driver's education course for people under 21
- One-on-one interview with Gov. Mike DeWine: How a new law is prioritizing driver safety training | 10tv.com
In addition to this significant change, there are two other driver education amendments in the budget which will also take effect on September 30, 2025:
- Excused Absences for Driver Education: High school students will now be permitted excused absences from school for the sole purpose of attending a driver education course, up to a maximum of 8 hours (no more than two hours per day for up to four nonconsecutive days).
- New Driver Education Course Regulations: New rules will allow beginning drivers of noncommercial motor vehicles to complete the driver education course at any point while holding a valid temporary instruction permit.
