Ohio has approved a new law that changes the rules to obtain a driving license. Learning how to drive is a very important moment in anybody’s life because it means independence, freedom, and the possibility of moving without depending on other people. However, it’s also a huge responsibility since driving without being well prepared can be very dangerous.
This is why, in the state of Ohio, everybody between 18 and 20 years old must take driver education classes before being allowed to get a license. So, let’s learn more about this change, shall we?
Why Ohio?
In most of the states of the U.S., teenagers must take driver education classes before receiving their license. These classes, known as Driver’s Ed, teach more than how a vehicle works, they also teach how we should react to an emergency, follow rules of the road, and make safe decisions while driving.
However, in Ohio and many other places, people older than 18 years old didn’t have to meet this requirement, they only had to pass the theory test and a driving test, without taking any official training.
This generates a problem: many young adult drivers didn’t have any needed experience or knowledge to drive in a safe way. According to Ohio authorities, in 2024 almost 100 fatal car crashes were registered in the state, and 70% were caused by young or non-experienced drivers.
The new law in Ohio
Before, only people younger than 17 years old had to take official training but, with this new law, everybody younger than 21 years old must complete a Class D driver education course before applying for a driver’s license. No, let’s have a look at the new Ohio program:
- 24 hours of classroom or online lessons – covering road safety, traffic laws, and how to avoid accidents.
- 8 hours of in-car training – with a licensed driving instructor to practice real-world driving skills.
- 50 hours of supervised driving practice – with a licensed adult over 21, including 10 hours of nighttime driving.
This program aims to make new drivers practice enough before being on their own on the road.
How this will improve Ohio’s safety road
Car accidents caused by drivers with lack of experience are a serious issue. Many young drivers make simple mistakes like: driving too fast, getting distracted with the mobile phone, or not calculating distances well.
With this new law, Ohio expects to reduce accidents caused by drivers with no experience, since spending more time in classes and training will give new drivers the chance to learn how to properly react to any situation.
This new law is part of a broader effort to make roads in Ohio safer. For example, the state has also banned the use of handheld cellphones while driving to reduce distractions.
Challenges of the new law
Even though the measure is positive, it can also bring some challenges like:
- Cost: Driving lessons can be expensive, and not every young person can afford them.
- Access: Some rural areas of Ohio may not have enough driving schools or instructors.
- Quality: The state must make sure all courses meet a high standard so that every student receives proper training.
Still, state authorities trust the change will be beneficial and will reduce car accidents in the long term.
So…
We should have in mind that driving is more than a skill, it’s a great responsibility. Thanks to this initiative, Ohio becomes an example for other states, proving that investing in education can make a huge difference between a safe drive and a tragedy. What do you think about what the state of Ohio is doing?