I'm a new resident in Ohio: what do I do with my license?

Compare with the state you moved from

Choose the state you came from to see the main differences from Ohio. Every value comes from that state's official manual (with the page number) or from its license guide. Where a manual does not state a rule, we say so instead of guessing.

Key rules in Ohio

Each rule comes from the Ohio driver manual or from the license guide, with its source.

Licensing and paperwork

• Deadline to switch your license

  Within 30 days of establishing residency, transfer your out-of-state license, vehicle title and registration.

  What the manual says

  • Deadline: 30 days

    You are an Ohio resident once you take a job, sign a lease, buy a home or enroll children in school. Within 30 days of establishing residency, you must transfer your out-of-state driver license or ID card, vehicle title and vehicle registration to Ohio.

  Source: [1]

• Tests when you transfer a license

  You complete a vision screening; only first-time drivers or those with an expired out-of-state license must test.

  What the manual says

  • Getting your Ohio license

    If you are at least 16 and have an unexpired out-of-state, non-CDL driver license, you can apply for an Ohio driver license.

    • Present your unexpired out-of-state license and acceptable documents at any Deputy Registrar License Agency.
    • You are asked to complete a vision screening.
    • You are asked to complete form BMV 5745 (Application Information). You can fill it out before your visit.
    • A new resident under 18 needs a cosigner (a parent or legal guardian) at issuance who is willing to assume financial responsibility.

  • When you must test

    First-time drivers and people whose out-of-state license is expired must complete the testing process to get an Ohio license.

  Source: [1]

• Liability insurance

  Required. Minimum liability: $25,000 one person, $50,000 two or more people, $25,000 property damage.

  What the manual says

  • The minimum requirement is $25,000 for injury or death of one person.
  • The minimum requirement is $50,000 for injury or death of two or more people.
  • The manual lists $25,000 for property damage in an accident as the minimum.

  Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 24

• How long the license lasts

  4 years; qualified drivers aged 21 to 64 may choose 8 years. Under 21: expires on 21st birthday.

  What the manual says

  • Qualified applicants age 21 or older but not yet 65 may purchase an 8-year license; otherwise a 4-year license is issued.
  • If you are under age 21, your Ohio Driver License expires on your 21st birthday.

  Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 47

Road rules

• Teen driving hours

  Under 18: no driving midnight-6 a.m. in first 12 months of licensure, then 1-5 a.m.; exceptions apply.

  What the manual says

  • During the first 12 months the restricted hours are midnight to 6 a.m.
  • After the first 12 months the restricted hours are 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.
  • The restriction does not apply when the driver is accompanied by a parent or guardian.

  Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 47

• Passengers for teen drivers

  Under 18, first 12 months: one non-family passenger at most, unless a parent or guardian rides along.

  What the manual says

  • The driver may not operate a vehicle with more than one non-family member as a passenger, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

  Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 47

• Alcohol limit under 21

  Under 21: .02% BAC or higher is illegal; a conviction can bring a three-month to two-year suspension.

  What the manual says

  • The limit for drivers under age 21 is .02% or higher.
  • An OVUAC can result in a license suspension of three months to two years.

  Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 25

• Refusing a chemical test

  Refusal brings license suspension: one year for a first refusal, two years with one prior refusal or conviction.

  What the manual says

  • The officer confiscates the license and sends the BMV a sworn statement attesting to the refusal.
  • A first refusal brings a one-year license suspension.
  • One prior refusal or OVI/drug conviction leads to a two-year license suspension for a refusal.

  Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 25

• Seat belts

  Drivers and front-seat occupants of most passenger vehicles must wear belts; with a new driver under 18, everyone must.

  What the manual says

  • The manual says the law requires drivers and front-seat occupants of most passenger vehicles to wear safety belts.
  • The driver and all passengers must wear safety belts, and occupants cannot exceed the number of safety belts originally installed.

  Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 6, 47

• Child safety seats

  Under age 4 or under 40 lb: child seat; ages 4-7: booster unless 4 ft 9 in tall.

  What the manual says

  • Infants and children under age 4 and/or under 40 pounds must be restrained in a child safety seat.
  • Children at least age 4 but less than age 8 must be in a booster seat unless 4-foot 9-inches or taller.

  Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 27

• Phone use while driving

  Drivers 18+: holding a phone is illegal in most cases; hands-free allowed. Under 18: no devices, even hands-free.

  What the manual says

  • The manual says it is illegal in most cases to use, hold, or physically support a cell phone or electronic wireless communications device while driving.
  • The manual says drivers over 18 may use hands-free technology as long as they do not hold or support the device or manually enter letters, numbers, or symbols.
  • The manual says it is illegal for drivers under 18 to use any electronic device while driving, even hands-free, or while sitting at a traffic light or in a traffic jam.

  Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 8

• School buses

  Stop for a school bus loading or unloading; four or more lanes: only same-direction traffic stops.

  What the manual says

  • The manual says a driver must stop for a school bus when it is dropping off or picking up students.
  • The manual says that with fewer than four lanes, all traffic approaching the bus from either direction must stop.
  • The manual says that with four or more lanes, only traffic proceeding in the same direction as the bus must stop at the rear of the bus.

  Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 22

• Move Over law

  Move to an adjacent lane and/or slow down for stopped police and other covered vehicles with warning lights on.

  What the manual says

  • Ohio law requires all drivers to move to an adjacent lane and/or slow down when approaching a stopped police or other listed vehicle with its warning lights activated.
  • The Move Over law covers police, emergency, road service, waste collection, highway maintenance, and public utility commission vehicles with warning lights activated.

  Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 38

• Headlights

  Between sunset and sunrise, whenever wipers run for precipitation, and when objects are unclear 1,000 feet ahead.

  What the manual says

  • Lights must be on between sunset and sunrise.
  • Lights must be on when natural light does not make it possible to clearly see objects 1,000 feet ahead.
  • Lights must be on any time windshield wipers are in use because of precipitation.

  Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 28

• Right turn on red

  Allowed after a complete stop, once all crossing traffic and pedestrians have cleared the intersection.

  What the manual says

  • The manual says you must come to a complete stop and allow all crossing traffic and all pedestrians to clear the intersection before proceeding.

  Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 17

• Left lane and keeping right

  Drive on the right half; the left-most lane is for passing; slower-than-traffic vehicles use the right lane.

  What the manual says

  • The manual says to drive on the right half of the roadway except in certain listed situations.
  • The manual says the left-most lane on multi-lane roads is intended for passing slower vehicles.
  • Vehicles moving slower than the traffic flow must use the available right lane or stay as close as possible to the right-hand curb or edge of the highway.

  Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 18, 21, 38

• Points and suspension

  Six points in two years: warning letter; 12 or more points in two years: license suspension.

  What the manual says

  • At six points in two years the BMV sends a six-point warning letter.
  • At 12 or more points in two years the BMV imposes a 12-point suspension.

  Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 26

Official steps for moving to Ohio

• Deadline: 30 days

  You are an Ohio resident once you take a job, sign a lease, buy a home or enroll children in school. Within 30 days of establishing residency, you must transfer your out-of-state driver license or ID card, vehicle title and vehicle registration to Ohio.

  Source: [1]

• Getting your Ohio license

  If you are at least 16 and have an unexpired out-of-state, non-CDL driver license, you can apply for an Ohio driver license.

  • Present your unexpired out-of-state license and acceptable documents at any Deputy Registrar License Agency.
  • You are asked to complete a vision screening.
  • You are asked to complete form BMV 5745 (Application Information). You can fill it out before your visit.
  • A new resident under 18 needs a cosigner (a parent or legal guardian) at issuance who is willing to assume financial responsibility.

  Source: [1]

• When you must test

  First-time drivers and people whose out-of-state license is expired must complete the testing process to get an Ohio license.

  Source: [1]

• No out-of-state license? Vehicle?

  • Without an out-of-state driver license to transfer, you can get an Ohio ID card for identification purposes.
  • Before registering a vehicle in Ohio, you must transfer the out-of-state title at a County Clerk of Courts Title Office.

  Source: [1]

Sources

1. New Ohio Residents (New to Ohio) (bmv.ohio.gov) — Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles