Ohio · Handbook chapter 6 · 5 min read
Chapter 6: State laws and penalties
Ohio financial responsibility and minimum insurance, BAC limits, OVI and OVUAC, administrative license suspension for testing over the limit or refusing, impairing drugs, penalty points, under-18 suspensions, driving under suspension and child restraint laws.
Why this chapter matters
The test often asks for Ohio's legal limits and penalty numbers. Learn .08, .04 and .02, the two-hour testing window, the one-year first refusal suspension, the 90-day first over-the-limit suspension, 6 and 12 points, $25,000 / $50,000 / $25,000 insurance and the child seat ages 4, 8 and 15.
Insurance (financial responsibility)
It is illegal to drive without insurance in Ohio, and illegal for an owner to let anyone else drive their uninsured vehicle. You must show proof of insurance:
- whenever an officer writes you a ticket;
- at vehicle inspection stops;
- at traffic court;
- after a crash with more than $400 in property damage;
- when the BMV asks.
| Minimum liability coverage | Amount |
|---|---|
| Injury or death of one person | $25,000 |
| Injury or death of two or more people | $50,000 |
| Property damage | $25,000 |
You can meet the requirement with an insurance policy, a personal liability bond for those amounts, or a $30,000 deposit with the Registrar. Drivers with serious offenses, 12 or more points in two years, or an uninsured crash must file proof of high-risk insurance. An SR-22 is not a type of insurance: it is a form filed with the state that proves your policy meets the minimum.
Alcohol and the law
The legal drinking age is 21. It is illegal to drive with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of:
| Driver | Limit |
|---|---|
| Any age | .08 or higher |
| Commercial drivers | .04 or higher |
| Under 21 | .02 or higher |
Ohio calls impaired driving OVI (operating a vehicle while impaired). An officer who suspects OVI will give sobriety tests and ask for a chemical test of blood, breath, plasma, urine or oral fluid.
Administrative License Suspension (ALS)
- Over the limit: if you agree to a test within two hours of arrest and your BAC is .08 or more, the officer takes your license and the suspension starts immediately. You may get an independent test at your own cost.
- Refusal: if you refuse within two hours of arrest, the officer takes your license, and the BMV must suspend it for one to five years, starting immediately. The suspension stands even if you are later acquitted of OVI.
| Prior refusals or OVI convictions (last 10 years) | Refusal suspension | Over-the-limit suspension |
|---|---|---|
| None | 1 year | 90 days |
| One | 2 years | 1 year |
| Two | 3 years | 2 years |
| Three or more | 5 years | 3 years |
Five or more OVI convictions in 20 years bring jail, possible loss of the vehicle and a place on Ohio's Habitual OVI/OMWI Offender Registry.
Under 21: OVUAC
Operating a Vehicle after Underage Alcohol Consumption can mean a suspension of three months to two years, a remedial driving course, reinstatement fees, retaking the license exam and possibly jail.
Impairing drugs
Any substance that impairs your ability to drive counts, not just illegal drugs. Over-the-counter medicine and prescription drugs such as antidepressants, pain relievers, sleep aids and sedatives can all affect driving: read the label or ask a doctor or pharmacist. Never mix alcohol and other drugs: drugs can strengthen the effects of alcohol.
Penalty points
Courts assess points for each traffic conviction.
- 6 points in two years: the BMV sends a warning letter.
- 12 or more points in two years: a 12-point suspension. To get your license back you may need a remedial driving course, an SR-22 and reinstatement fees.
| Points | Example offenses |
|---|---|
| 2 | Moving violations, some speeding offenses, restriction violations |
| 4 | Willful or wanton disregard for the safety of people or property |
| 6 | Failing to stop and identify yourself after a crash, and other serious offenses |
Drivers under 18
The BMV automatically suspends a probationary license for:
- two moving violations: three months;
- three moving violations: one year;
- a probationary OVI: six months.
To get back on the road you need a new TIPIC, an approved juvenile driver improvement program and a passed driving test.
Driving under suspension
It is a first-degree misdemeanor, with a fine of up to $1,000 and possibly another one-year suspension. An owner who knowingly lets a suspended driver use the car can face the same penalty.
Riding outside a vehicle
No one may hang on or ride on the outside of a moving vehicle. A truck driver may not knowingly let a child under 16 ride in an open cargo area above 25 mph, unless there is a proper seat and belt, an emergency, or the riders are road workers on official duty.
Child restraints
| Child | Required restraint |
|---|---|
| Under 4 or under 40 pounds | A child safety seat meeting federal standards |
| 4 to under 8 | A booster seat, unless the child is at least 4 feet 9 inches tall |
| 8 to 15 | A safety belt |
- Children 12 and younger should ride in the back seat.
- Never put a rear-facing child seat in front of an active air bag.
Frequently asked questions
What is the legal BAC limit for a driver under 21 in Ohio?
.02. The limit is .08 for adult drivers and .04 for commercial drivers.
What happens if I refuse a chemical test?
The officer takes your license and the BMV suspends it immediately, for one year on a first refusal and up to five years with prior offenses, even if you are later acquitted.
How many points lead to a suspension?
12 or more points within two years. At 6 points you get a warning letter.
What is Ohio's minimum car insurance?
$25,000 for one person's injury or death, $50,000 for two or more people and $25,000 for property damage.
When does my child need a booster seat?
From age 4 until age 8, unless the child is at least 4 feet 9 inches tall.
Based on the Digest of Ohio Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 6 (Ohio Department of Public Safety).