Office of International Affairs

Driving

If you will be in the United States longer than six months and intend to drive, you are required to get an Ohio driver's license, regardless of whether you have an International Driver's License.

Getting an Ohio driver license

  1. Read and study "The Digest of Ohio Motor Vehicle Laws." If you already have a valid driver's license from another U.S. state, please skip to step three. You will surrender your old driver's license and take the written test and eye exam without needing a road test.
  2. To get a temporary driving permit, obtain an application packet from one of the license agencies. You must show the following documentation to get the temporary permit application:
    • Required documents for J-1 scholars:
      • Valid passport
      • Most recent I-94
      • Visa stamp
      • Original DS-2019
      • A letter from your department verifying your employment dates and your status (please make sure that the letter was issued within the past 60 days)
      • Two documents that show proof of Ohio residence
    • Required documents for H-1B employees:
      • Valid passport
      • Most recent I-94
      • Visa stamp
      • Original I-797:
        • Receipt Notice (I-797C): if you only have the Receipt Notice at the time of renewal, please borrow the original one from the Office of International Affairs advisor who worked on your case, or,
        • The latest Approval Notice (I-797A or I-797B)
      • A letter from your department verifying your employment dates and your status (please make sure that the letter was issued within the past 60 days)
      • Petition packet is optional and only recommended especially for renewals based on the Receipt Notice (I-797C)
      • Two documents that show proof of Ohio residence
  3. Go to a testing center for an eye exam and take a written test to get the temporary permit.
  4. If you pass the test, you will be given a temporary driving permit, which requires that you have a licensed driver with you when practicing driving. If you want to take driving lessons, find a driving school.
  5. Schedule a road test at one of the testing centers. You must pass to receive a license.

Important driving laws in Ohio

  • You are required by law to carry automobile insurance. Policies range from $600 - $1,200 per year.
  • Seat belt use is mandatory
  • It is illegal to drive without a valid driver's license, proof of automobile insurance, proof of the car's registration and valid license plates
  • The law requires that children under the age of four or who weigh less than 40 pounds be secured in an approved, properly used child safety seat.

Additional information

The American Automobile Association of Ohio (AAA or "Triple A") provides roadside services (fixing flat tires, towing a car to a service station).

Parking spaces for cars at Ohio State are limited. You must buy a university parking permit from CampusParc if you want to park on campus. Do not park in loading zones, handicapped parking spaces, near fire hydrants or areas for which your parking permit is not designated. If you violate Ohio State parking regulations, you will be fined, or your car could be towed.

A State of Ohio Identification Card is available to non-drivers who want a form of identification to use in place of a driver's license. Take the same documents required for a driver's license to a license agency. You need to have lived in Ohio for 30 days to be eligible to get this card.