Published and prepared by: Ohio Department of Public Safety P.O. Box 182081, Columbus, Ohio 43218-2081 An Equal Opportunity Employer To order additional copies, please call (614) 466-4775, or visit www.publicsafety.ohio.gov DIGEST OF OHIO MOTOR VEHICLE LAWS TO SCHEDULE A ROAD TEST VISIT www.ohiodrivingtest.com TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 - DRIVER LICENSING & VEHICLE REGISTRATION......................................................1 How to Obtain an Ohio Driver License ................................................................ 1 Scoring ................................................................................................................ 7 Renewing Your License..................................................................................... 10 Duplicate License .............................................................................................. 11 Holders of a Foreign Driver License .................................................................. 11 Regulations Regarding License Use ................................................................. 12 Organ Donor Information................................................................................... 12 Living Will .......................................................................................................... 13 Titling a Motor Vehicle ....................................................................................... 13 License Plate Information .................................................................................. 13 2 - DRIVER LICENSING & VEHICLE REGISTRATION....................................................14 Driver License for New Residents ..................................................................... 14 Certificate of Title Issuance ............................................................................... 15 License Plates ................................................................................................... 15 3 - COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSING ..........................................................................17 Classes of Commercial Driver Licenses (CDL) ................................................. 17 Who Needs a CDL............................................................................................. 17 CDL Endorsements and Restrictions ................................................................ 18 CDL Exemptions................................................................................................ 19 Procedures for Obtaining a CDL ....................................................................... 19 Testing............................................................................................................... 20 Fees................................................................................................................... 20 Renewal/Upgrade.............................................................................................. 20 4 - MOTORCYCLE & MOTORIZED BICYCLE REGULATIONS ......................................21 Motorcycle Laws and Regulations..................................................................... 21 Applying for Your Motorcycle License ............................................................... 22 Sharing the Road with Motorcyclists ................................................................. 25 Motorized Bicycles............................................................................................. 25 Applying for Your Motorized Bicycle License .................................................... 26 Special Laws for Motorized Bicycle Riders........................................................ 27 Questions & Answers on Ohio’s Moped Regulations ........................................ 28 5 - VEHICLE EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS.....................................................................30 Items Checked During Inspection...................................................................... 30 Other Equipment ............................................................................................... 32 E-Check Certificate............................................................................................ 33 6 - TRAFFIC LAWS ...........................................................................................................34 Lanes................................................................................................................. 34 Turns ................................................................................................................. 36 Correct Methods of Making Left Turns .............................................................. 37 Stopping ............................................................................................................ 38 Yielding.............................................................................................................. 39 Passing.............................................................................................................. 40 Speed Limits...................................................................................................... 41 Railroad Grade Crossings ................................................................................. 42 Parking .............................................................................................................. 43 Safety Belts ....................................................................................................... 44 Child Restraints ................................................................................................. 45 New Child Restraint Law ................................................................................... 45 Obstruction of Vision ......................................................................................... 45 Riding in the Outside of a Vehicle ..................................................................... 45 Operating a Vehicle While Impaired .................................................................. 46 Drugs ................................................................................................................. 48 False Driver License.......................................................................................... 48 Point Law........................................................................................................... 49 Driving Under Suspension................................................................................. 50 Financial Responsibility ..................................................................................... 50 Suspension of Probationary License ................................................................. 51 i 7 - SIGNS, SIGNALS AND PAVEMENT MARKINGS ...................................................... 52 Special Information Signs...................................................................................52 Warning Signs....................................................................................................53 No Passing.........................................................................................................55 Crossings ...........................................................................................................55 Schools...............................................................................................................56 Merge, Divided Highway ....................................................................................56 Special................................................................................................................57 Construction .......................................................................................................57 Guide Signs........................................................................................................58 Vehicles..............................................................................................................58 Pedestrian ..........................................................................................................59 Regulatory Signs................................................................................................59 Prohibitory Signs ................................................................................................60 Pavement Markings............................................................................................60 8 - TRAFFIC CRASH REPORTING REQUIREMENTS .................................................... 61 What to Do in Case of a Crash...........................................................................61 What to Do in Case You Hit a Deer....................................................................61 9 - SPECIAL CONDITIONS............................................................................................... 62 Night Driving.......................................................................................................62 Winter Driving.....................................................................................................62 Driving in Fog .....................................................................................................63 Freeway Driving .................................................................................................63 If You Feel Tired While You Are Driving.............................................................64 When to Use Lights............................................................................................64