Ohio

GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of Ohio. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.

  • Alcohol Impaired Driving

    Penalties

    Increased Penalty for High BAC Administrative License Suspension on First Offense Limited Driving Privileges During Suspension
    .17 90 days After 15 days

    Ignition Interlocks

    Mandatory for repeat convictions.

    Other

    Open Container Laws Repeat Offender Laws
    No No

     

  • Child Passenger Safety

    Child Restraint Required

    Under 4 yrs or under 40 lbs in child safety seat, following manufacturer instructions
    4-8 yrs, over 40 lbs and under 4'9" tall in booster seat, following manufacturer instructions

    Adult Safety Belt Permissible

    8-15 yrs

  • Distracted Driving

    Hand-Held Ban?

    Yes. Primary law.

    All Cell Phone Ban?

    School Bus Drivers

    No

    Novice Drivers

    Drivers under 18. Primary law.

    Text Messaging Ban?

    All drivers. Primary law.

  • Drug Impaired Driving

    DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs

    • Per se >0 for some drugs

    Marijuana-Specific Laws

    • Possession and Use: Decriminalized and legal for medical use
    • Impaired Driving: THC per se (2 ng)
  • Mature Drivers

    Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

    4 years

    Provisions for Mature Drivers

    None

  • Motorcyclists

    Helmets required for riders under 18 or who have been licensed for less than one year as well as for all passengers when the operator is required to wear a helmet. Universal helmet law repealed 1978.

  • Seat Belts

    Type of Law

    Secondary

    Who Is Covered?

    8 and over

    In What Seat?

    8-14 yrs: All (primary enforcement)

    15 and over: Front

  • Speed and Red Light Cameras

    Speed Cameras

    State Law

    Permitted by state law

    Where Permitted

    Statewide; not permitted on interstates when operated by townships

    Red Light Cameras

    State Law

    Permitted by state law and city ordinance

    Where Permitted

    Statewide

  • Speeding and Aggressive Driving

    Rural Interstates

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    70 70

    Urban Interstates

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    65 65

    Other Limited Access Roads

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    70 70
  • Teen and Novice Drivers

    Full Privilege Minimum Age

    Nighttime driving: 18 years

    Driving with passengers: 17 years

    Learner Stage

    Minimum Age (Years/Months)

    Minimum Duration (Months)

    Required Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours)
    15 / 6 6 50 (10)

    Intermediate Stage

    Minimum Age (Years/Months)

    		 Nighttime Driving Restriction

    Passenger Restriction (except family, unless noted)
    16

    Age 16: Midnight - 6 a.m.

    Age 17: 1 a.m. - 5 a.m. (secondary enforcement)

    		 First 12 months, no more than 1 unless supervised