Instructions for First License Applicants

(Excerpted from the Digest of Ohio Motor Vehicle Laws)

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1. Study and learn all material in the Digest of Ohio Motor Vehicle Laws .

2. Visit the nearest deputy registrar office where driver licenses are issued (listed under License Services in your yellow pages). You must bring documentary proof of your age, identity, and social security number. A certified birth certificate and social security card are normally required, but other documents may be acceptable (see acceptable identification documents list).  After checking your certified birth certificate, the deputy registrar will complete your application, collect a fee (see driver license and identification card fees list), and give you a temporary permit application packet. All temporary permit packets consist of a red and white temporary permit and a blue and white application (Examiners Driving Permit). All drivers obtaining a temporary permit packet will also be issued a photo temporary instruction identification card. This packet is not a driving permit. You may not drive (even accompanied by a licensed driver) until you have passed the vision and written tests. Do not fold, tear off, or write on any of the forms in your application packet. These forms must be retained and taken with you through each step of the licensing process. If you lose any of these forms, you will have to purchase additional forms and begin the process over again. 

*IMPORTANT: If you are under 18 years of age, your application must be co-signed by a parent or legal guardian at the time you apply. A cosigner must present two forms of acceptable documents verifying identification (see acceptable identification documents list). This means that a parent or guardian must accompany any applicant who is under 18 years of age to the deputy registrar agency.

3. Take your complete temporary permit application packet to the nearest Ohio State Highway Patrol driver license examination station (see list of branch office locations). No appointment is necessary to take the written and vision tests, but be sure to double-check what particular days certain exam stations are open for business.

4. At the exam station, your vision will be tested to determine if it meets minimum standards established by law. If you need corrective lenses to meet these standards, your license may be restricted to driving only when you are wearing such lenses. In certain cases, persons with substandard vision may qualify for a restricted license which permits them to drive during daylight hours only.

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