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 Vehicle and License Plate Sanctions
    .17 90 days After 15 days Impoundment, vehicle confiscation or immobilization, restricted plates

    Ignition Interlocks

    Mandatory for repeat convictions.

    Other

    Open Container Laws Repeat Offender Laws Alcohol Exclusion Laws Limiting Treatment
    Yes No Yes

     

  • Bicyclists and Pedestrians

    No bicycle helmet laws.

  • Child Passenger Safety

    Child Restraint Required

    Under 4 yrs or under 40 lbs in child safety seat

    4-7 yrs and over 40 lbs and under 4'9" tall in booster seat

    Adult Safety Belt Permissible

    8-14 yrs

    Maximum Fine for 1st Offense

    $75

  • Distracted Driving

    Hand-Held Ban?

    No

    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 Universal helmet law repealed 1978.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?

    Riders 8 and over

    In What Seat?

    Riders 8-14: All

    Riders 15 and over: Front

    Maximum Fine for 1st Offense

    $30 if in driver's seat; $20 if in passenger's seat

  • Sobriety Checkpoints

    Checkpoints are conducted year-round. Their legality is upheld under state and federal Constitution.

  • Speed and Red Light Cameras

    Speed Cameras

    Officer must be present

    Red Light Cameras

    Officer must be present

  • 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)

    		 No more than 1 unless supervised
  • Work Zones

    Violations Affected

    Speeding

    Enhanced Penalties

    Double original fine

    Workers Must Be Present?

    Must be during hours of actual work

    Signs Must Be Present?

    Yes