When is an appropriate time to get a driver’s license? Is it better to wait until the ownership of a vehicle or as soon as someone is old enough? Whatever the case, it is good to have one, as it comes in handy. It is up to the individual to decide when it will be needed. To get the license, it is important to consider the process of receiving it. Every state has different rules for getting a license. This is the process to get one in Ohio:
The youngest age in Ohio anyone can start the process of attaining a driver’s license is 15 ½ years. The first step is gaining a driver’s permit. First, there is an online handbook with the rules of the road. Here is a link to it: https://m.driving-tests.org/ohio/oh-bmv-drivers-handbook-manual/
Someone who is trying to get a permit is expected to know these rules before actually driving on the road. Once the information from this book is understood, a person must be tested on it. Currently, it is a 40-question test that can be passed if the test taker misses fewer than 11 questions. This test can be taken in person at a place often called the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. To keep it simple, I’m calling it the nearest driving center since some places have different names for it. After the test is passed, the driver can receive a permit.
Before even taking the test, the person must have possession of proper identification forms and must take a brief test to check vision. Keep in mind that attaining a driver’s license is not free. There will be a small fee for the permit after the test is passed. The nearest driving center and the handbook should have more information about costs and what type of paperwork is required to obtain a permit.
Once a permit is obtained, the owner of the permit is officially allowed to practice driving a vehicle. This person may only drive with the appropriate type of licensed adult in the passenger seat. The specifications for this adult are in the handbook. The next step to get the license is to practice driving. 50 hours of driving is the next step to getting a license. 10 of these hours need to be nighttime driving, and the other 40 hours must be during the day. Overall, this is for the permit driver to become more experienced and improve driving skills.
During the time of practice with a permit, it is also required that the permit driver must take a Driver’s ED course. This course has 2 parts. It provides a bookwork part of the course that discusses more rules, laws, and situations. It also has a driving part of the course to learn and practice driving. This course can be taken at any point during the 50 hours of practice. Keep in mind that there is a fee for these courses. It is currently around a few hundred dollars.
Once the 50 hours are over, Driver’s ED is complete, and the permit driver is very capable of driving in a safe and skilled manner, it is time for the final step to get the license. This step is a different test. The license test is a test taken while driving a vehicle. To take it, the permit driver must be at least 16 years of age. To take this test, the permit driver must provide a vehicle that meets the standards specified in the handbook. This test examines the driver’s ability to drive. Anyone who passes this test and meets all prerequisites may purchase a renewable license from the driving center. The nearest driving center and the handbook hold more information about this test.
The process of getting a license is long, but it is all for the safety of the road. It is important to understand the long process because you cannot simply go in and buy a license. There are rules and regulations for driving to keep everyone safe. So to answer, “When is a good time to get a license?” It is wise to start the process long before you need it.
