Ohio’s House Bill 96 introduces more strict requirements for getting a driver’s license, targeting 18–20-Year-Olds. These requirements will be introduced starting at the end of September 2025.
Initially, adults who were 18 years and above the formal driver’s education, could bypass formal driver’s education and attempt to take the driver’s test directly, but that has changed. Everyone who is below the age of 21 years must complete the new education requirements.
What’s Changing in Ohio’s Driver’s Licensing Law
The new law now requires individuals who are aged between 18 years to 20 years to follow the same training process as younger teens before earning their license. They must complete 24 hours of classroom or online classes for driver’s education instead of going straight to the exam.
They must also complete eight hours of behind-the-wheel instruction with a certified instructor. This also includes 50 hours of supervised driving with a guardian, including at least 10 hours at night. They are also required to hold a temporary permit for six months before taking the driving test.
Adults over 18 could have bypassed these steps under the old system. If by any chance they failed the test, they were only asked to take a short course, taking four hours and a limited amount of training before trying again.
The newly updated law eliminates that shortcut, making sure that all the students under the age of 21 receive more comprehensive preparation.
The Alarming Data Behind Ohio’s Teen Driving Law
The reason behind the new law is to enhance safety on the road. The state data shows that 58% of fatal crashes involving teen drivers last year were caused by 18- and 19-year-olds. Since 2020, accidents involving young drivers have taken 600 lives and led to 200,000 crashes across Ohio.
Governor Mike DeWine has pushed for stronger driver’s education after seeing troubling numbers. “We know that young people who go through driver’s training become safer drivers, safer for themselves and safer for everyone else on the road,” said DeWine.
A Step Toward Safer Roads
The Challenges, Including the Access and Costs
While the new rules aim to improve safety, many worry they could make it harder for young adults to get a license. Driver’s education often costs between $300 and $600, a price that pushes some teens to wait until they can skip training at 18.
Now that the requirement extends to 21, critics say some may delay even longer, even though driving is often essential for work or independence. The Columbus Dispatch reports that in the past five years, more adults than teens under 18 have gotten their first license in Ohio. This shows that cost is already a problem.
Some fear the law could lead to more unlicensed, uninsured drivers, creating a different kind of risk. Governor DeWine once proposed a plan to make training cheaper by linking schools with driving programs, but lawmakers rejected it.
What Ohioans Think and What Comes Next
The new driving law has received mixed reactions. Some, like Oakwood resident Otto Smith, supported the changes saying they are a bit fair. “People on the road should always be trying to be safe on the road and try and get their driver’s license, you know, out of utility. So I think it’s pretty fair,” Otto said.
Others, like Bill Borden of Washington Township, worry it could discourage young workers. “People who are using their license to work — energetic hard working young people — I wouldn’t want to discourage them so there are exceptions,” Bill said.
Conclusion
As the law rolls out, driving schools expect higher enrollment, and the state is urging young adults to plan and use the Bureau of Motor Vehicles website to find approved programs. While the goal is safer roads, the real test will be making sure the system stays affordable and fair.
Still, questions of cost and access remain, and Ohio’s ability to balance safety with equity will ultimately shape the law’s long-term impact. The new state law marks an important step toward improving road safety by requiring stronger training for drivers under 21.