The following Frequently Asked Questions for Teen Driving are from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles website.
Legislation which places certain restrictions on the operation of motor vehicles by probationary license holders and temporary instruction permit holders who are less than 18 years of age was signed into law January 4, 2007 and took effect April 6, 2007.
No, the ages remain the same: 15½ years old for a permit, and 16 years old for a driver license.
A temporary permit can be obtained at age 15 years 6 months. The permit is valid for one year. The permit holder must be accompanied by an eligible adult, which is defined as a parent, guardian, legal custodian, licensed driver age 21 or older acting in loco parentis, or licensed driving instructor. The eligible adult must hold a valid driver license and occupy the front passenger seat.
In order to be eligible for a probationary driver license, a temporary permit holder must be at least 16 years old and have completed the driver training certification requirement (complete 50 hours of driving with a parent or guardian, including 10 hours of nighttime driving, in addition to the driver education requirement of 24 hours of classroom instruction and 8 hours behind the wheel) and have held a temporary permit for at least six months. The permit holder must also complete the BMV driving and maneuverability test prior to issuance of a probationary license. The probationary license is valid until age 18, at which time the license becomes a full driver license.
Only one passenger, who is not a family member, would be allowed to ride in the vehicle. It is based upon who is operating the vehicle.
Family member of a probationary license holder includes any of the following: a parent, step-parent, grandparent, or parent-in-law, a sibling, whether of the whole or half blood or by adoption, a brother-in-law or sister-in-law, a spouse, a child or step-child, an aunt or uncle, a son or daughter of the probationary license holder’s step-parent if the step-parent has not adopted the probationary license holder.
No, they are not. The law changes apply to permit holders and driver license holders under the age of 18.
No, the age of the passenger does not matter. If the passenger is not a family member, they can only have one passenger in the vehicle, unless the driver’s parent or guardian is in the vehicle.
Statistics indicate a higher rate of accidents/fatalities to and from school when groups of teenagers are riding in one vehicle.
No, 16-year-old licensed drivers are not permitted to transport more than one person who is not a family member at any time, unless the driver’s parent or guardian is in the vehicle as well.
Proof of relationship is not required by law, but it could be helpful to avoid being charged with a violation.
Statistics indicate more accidents/fatalities occur during these hours.
Yes, the BMV 2825 provided by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, located on the Internet, in the left navigation column under the “Download BMV Forms” topic. If you do not have this form, written documentation from the employer shall be accepted.
Yes, the written documentation must be in your immediate possession when driving during restricted hours.
Whoever violates having more than one passenger in the vehicle, who is not a family member, is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. It is a primary violation, meaning law enforcement can pull over a vehicle solely for violating the passenger limit law; they do not have to see any other violations. A restricted nighttime hours violation is secondary, so law enforcement would need another reason to pull the vehicle over.
The offense date must be within six months of the date the person received the probationary license, but the restriction runs six months from the date of conviction. Also, the law is not retro-active, so it only applies to a conviction date of April 6, 2007 or later.
The restriction is only for individuals less than 17 years of age. Therefore, if the violation occurred less than six months from an individuals 17th birthday, the restriction would end on their 17th birthday, unless the restriction is a court-ordered restriction.