Frequently Asked Questions
What training is required for teen drivers in Ohio?
To take the driver’s license exam, teens under 18 years old are required to complete 24 hours of classroom training, pass the final exam with a minimum score of 75%, and complete 8 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction.
Teens are also required to complete 50 hours of supervised practice driving, 10 of which must be at night.
When can I start taking my driver education course?
You must be at least 15 years and 5 months old to begin the classroom portion of the course. To begin the in-car training, you must have your temporary driving permit, which you can get at 15 years and 6 months old.
What do I need to do to begin my driver training at Your Turn Driving Academy?
You must have a certificate of completion of the teen online driver education course and a valid Ohio driver’s permit
How does an online class work?
We provide a link on our website to a course provided by an affiliated online school, but you can complete the requirement with any driving course approved by the State of Ohio. Here is a link to schools approved by the State of Ohio to offer teen online classes: DETS Search Schools (ohio.gov), scroll down and select teen online courses. You complete the online class at your own pace but the sites will not allow you to do more than 4 hours of training in any day and will require a break after 2 continuous hours of instruction. You must complete the online course within 6 months.
When can I begin my in-car training?
We can schedule your drives once you have completed the online course and have a valid Ohio driver’s permit. Depending on the time of year, there may be a waiting list for drives.
How many in-car sessions do I have to take to complete my behind-the-wheel training? We offer the training in four 2-hour sessions.
What do you need to bring for an in-car session?
You must have a valid driving permit with you. If the student does not have an original, valid permit on hand, we cannot do the in-car session and a rescheduling fee will apply. The interim paper permit is valid for up to 90 days or until you receive the plastic ID card permit, whichever comes first. A photo or photocopy of the paper permit is not sufficient; you must have the original.
Whether the permit is valid is also subject to any restrictions. If the permit has a corrective lenses (B) restriction, it is not valid unless the student is wearing eyeglasses or contact lenses.
For safety, we also require that students wear closed-toe shoes for in-car sessions. Sandals, flipflops, and slippers are not allowed.
How much prior driving experience am I required to have before my first in-car?
You are not required to have any prior driving experience. However, you will get more out of your in-car training, and will be more likely to complete all of the planned training, if you have at least a basic feel for vehicle control.
If your first in-car will be your first time behind the wheel or your first time on the road, we need you to let us know this so we can plan accordingly.
How much driving practice should I do outside of my in-car sessions?
The state of Ohio requires that drivers who take the driving test before they turn 18 have at least 50 hours of supervised driving time ( in addition to the 8 hours with a driving school). At least 10 of those hours must be a night. More is better. Like any new skill, it takes practice to become proficient.
What if I need to reschedule an in-car or classroom session?
If you must reschedule an in-car session, please notify us as soon as possible so that we can offer the time slot to another student. Please leave a message on the answering machine if no one answers the phone. We need notice of at least 24 hours notice to ensure the best chance of scheduling another student into the slot. For this reason, if we receive less than 24 hours notice that you need to cancel, we do need to charge a cancellation fee. The cancellation fee will also apply if a student does not show up at all for a scheduled lesson, arrives more than 10 minutes late, or arrives unprepared (for example, is not carrying a temporary permit).
What happens when I finish all of my in-car training requirements?
Once you have completed all of your required training, our office will verify that all of your paperwork is in order. If it is all good, we will issue your final Certificate of Completion. This is the certificate you will need to present at the exam station when you take your driving test. Allow 3 business days for the issuance of the certificate of completion. If we have a valid e-mail address on file, we will email the certificate. If we do not have an email address, it will be mailed.
What do I need to take with me to my driving test?
If you are under 18, you will need the final Certificate of Completion from us, a notarized 50-Hour Affidavit ( bmv5791.pdf (ohio.gov ) completed by a parent or guardian, and a valid temporary permit. You will also need to have a suitable vehicle when you go for the test, and have your vehicle registration and proof of insurance on hand. (They will do a vehicle inspection.)
If you are 18 or older and taking your first driving test, you do not need a Certificate of Completion nor a 50-hour affidavit.