Quick Answer: In Ohio, drivers ed takes 24 hours of online coursework plus 8 hours of behind-the-wheel training. You can’t do it all in one go—state law limits online learning to 4 hours per day. So the fastest you can finish the classroom portion is 6 days, with the driving portion depending on your school’s availability.
How long does it take to obtain a license in Ohio? The timeframe depends largely on how quickly you complete the necessary steps outlined by the state. This article will guide you through all the requirements and time it typically takes to fulfill them.
Step 1: Get a Temporary Permit
If you’re between 15 years & 6 months and 18 years old, you can get a temporary permit. You’ll need to pass a knowledge test and a vision test to get a permit. You can complete the Ohio BMV knowledge test online or at a driver exam station. You’ll also need to have your vision tested. If you take the knowledge test in person, you can then knock out the vision test. If you opt to take the knowledge test online, you can have the vision screening done at any deputy registrar license agency when you purchase your temporary permit. If you’re between 18 and 20, you’re still required to get a temporary permit—but you don’t have to hold it for 6 months. You do, however, need to complete an Ohio drivers ed course to qualify for your drivers license.
The knowledge test is 40 multiple-choice questions about traffic laws and signs. You must answer 75% of the questions correctly to pass. Study the Ohio Digest of Motor Vehicles before taking the test, and you’ll do great! You can even take a sample test to ensure you’re ready for the real thing.
Step 2: Sign up for Drivers Ed
You have options for which driving school you pick. You’ll want to choose a drivers ed course approved by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). But you don’t have to spend time bored in a classroom. Today, teens can take courses online wherever they want. Aceable offers a fun, interactive course on your phone or computer. It’s popular among teens because it’s funny, interactive, and teaches you everything you need to know to be a safe, confident driver.
Step 3: Complete Drivers Ed
The state of Ohio requires drivers ed to be 24 hours long, and you can’t breeze through the whole thing on one energy drink and a dream. State law says you can only knock out four hours of instruction in a 24-hour period. After two hours, the course gives you a 10-minute break—then you’re good to go for two more hours.
An Ohio drivers ed course is a little like earning different colored belts in karate - but it doesn’t take nearly as long. You’ll start as a white belt (a.k.a. complete newb) and work your way through 10 levels.
Using the Aceable app, you can knock out up to four hours a day and finish the course in as little as six days. Once you complete all 24 hours and pass the final exam (right in the app), you’ll get your Driver Education Certificate. You’ll need that certificate when it’s time to get your license!
Step 4: Complete 8 Hours of Behind-the-wheel Training
The next step involves getting behind the wheel. Once you have your temporary instruction permit, you can hop into the driver’s seat - with a professional driving instructor in the vehicle.
Note: You have to be 15 years and 6 months old to get behind the wheel.
Over eight hours of instruction, the driving instructor will teach you the fundamentals of driving safely. Like the online courses, Ohio state law limits each driving session to two hours.
How quickly you can line up the four 2-hour driving sessions depends on the availability of your school’s driving instructor.
Step 5: Complete 50 hours of Driving Practice with a Parent or Guardian
This is where you fine-tune your driving skills! You’ll need to practice everything you’ve learned with a parent or guardian in the car beside you. Ten of the 50 hours need to be done at night.
No need to rush through this part of your driver education! If you’re under 18, you must hold your temporary permit for at least six months before you're eligible to get your probationary license. If you're 18 to 20, you still need to complete drivers ed—but the 6-month holding period doesn't apply.
Step 6: Pass the Driving and Skills Tests
This is the last step standing between you and your license! When you go to the BMV to take your driving test, bring the Driver's Education Certificate you got when you completed driver's ed, your vehicle, and your temporary permit with you.
Your driving test will test your ability to do the following:
Stop and start
Turn around and back up
Perform turns
Use vehicle turn signals
Drive in the correct lane
Maintain a safe following distance
Drive forward through markers
Drive backward through markers
Step 7: Purchase Your Probationary Driver License
Now, all left to do is head to your nearest deputy registrar license agency with all the necessary documentation and purchase your probationary driver license!
Note: You must purchase your license within 60 days of passing your driving test.
So, how long does drivers ed take?
Let’s do a quick recap of the steps:
Study for your knowledge test and purchase your temporary instruction permit.
Complete 24 hours of drivers ed online or in a classroom.
Complete 8 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction at a driving school.
Complete 50 hours of driving practice with a parent or guardian.
Pass the driving and skills test.
Purchase your probationary driver license!
Given that you must hold your permit for six months before you can get your license, the full process will take at least that long. The drivers ed course itself takes 24 hours, and due to state limits of 4 hours per day, can be completed in as few as 6 days.
Updated 09/30/2025