New Rule Aims to Curb Teen Crash Rates and Improve Road Safety
COLUMBUS, OH – July 3, 2025 — A major change is coming to the way young Ohioans get their driver’s licenses. Under the newly signed state budget, all residents under the age of 21 will now be required to complete driver’s education training before they can take the driving test — a significant expansion of existing rules.
Until now, only 16- and 17-year-olds were required to take driver’s ed, while those 18 and older could skip the training. But starting soon, that exemption will end for 18-, 19-, and 20-year-olds, closing what Governor Mike DeWine called a dangerous loophole.
“We have so many young people turning 18, never taking driver’s training. They go in and ultimately, after many failures, pass. Not acceptable,” DeWine said at a press conference. “We know that young people who go through driver’s training become safer drivers — safer for themselves and everyone else on the road.”
DeWine had proposed bringing driver’s education classes back into high schools, but lawmakers removed funding for that initiative during final budget negotiations. Despite that, DeWine emphasized that the state will continue to offer grants for low-income students to help cover the cost of required training — a program started in the previous budget cycle.
The move comes as Ohio traffic safety officials report troubling statistics: 58% of fatal crashes involving a teen driver last year were caused by 18- and 19-year-olds, according to data from the Ohio Traffic Safety Office.
By requiring formal instruction before licensing, officials hope to reduce those numbers and ensure all young drivers — not just those under 18 — are better prepared for Ohio roads.
“This protects young drivers,” DeWine added. “But more importantly, it protects everyone who shares the streets and highways with them.”
