State laws, insurance and documents: Ohio BMV written test practice
11 free practice questions on state laws, insurance and documents for the Ohio BMV written knowledge test, each with the correct answer and a short explanation. Study them here, then check yourself in the interactive quiz or the exam simulator.
1. What are Ohio's minimum liability insurance requirements?
$10,000 / $20,000 / $10,000
✓ $25,000 / $50,000 / $25,000
$50,000 / $100,000 / $50,000
Ohio does not require liability insurance
Why: Ohio requires minimum liability coverage of $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage—commonly called "25/50/25" coverage.
2. What lighting equipment must a bicycle or e-bike have when ridden at night?
No lighting is required if riding on a well-lit street
✓ A front white light visible from a distance, plus a rear red reflector or light
Only a rear light is required
Flashing lights are prohibited on bicycles
Why: When ridden at night, a bicycle or e-bike must be equipped with a front white light visible from a safe distance and a rear red reflector or light so it can be seen by other traffic.
3. What is Ohio's standard speed limit in an active school zone?
15 mph
✓ 20 mph
25 mph
35 mph
Why: Ohio law sets a 20 mph speed limit in posted school zones during recess and when children are arriving at or leaving school; driving over 35 mph in an active school zone is treated as an enhanced offense.
4. During the first 12 months after receiving a provisional license, a driver under 18 is generally prohibited from:
Driving with any passengers at any time
✓ Transporting passengers under the age of 20 without an adult aged 25 or older present, and driving between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. without a valid reason
Driving during the day on weekdays
Using a navigation system
Why: During the first 12 months, a minor driver is generally not permitted to transport passengers under the age of 20 without being accompanied by a licensed adult aged 25 or older, and may not drive between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., except for valid reasons (work, school, or medical necessity).
5. What is an SR-22 in Ohio?
A type of driver's license endorsement for motorcycles
✓ A certificate your insurance company files with the state to prove you carry the required liability coverage
A form used to register a new vehicle
A permit required for teenage drivers
Why: An SR-22 is a certificate of financial responsibility that your insurance company files with the state on your behalf, typically required after an insurance lapse, an OVI conviction, or certain other serious violations, usually for a set period of time.
6. Is a vision screening generally required when renewing a driver's license in Ohio?
No, vision is never checked at renewal
✓ Yes, applicants are generally required to pass a vision screening at renewal
Only drivers over age 80 must be screened
Only commercial drivers must be screened
Why: Ohio generally requires drivers to pass a vision screening when renewing their license, to confirm they still meet the minimum eyesight standards for safe driving.
7. A funeral procession with its headlights on:
Has no special rights
✓ May proceed through an intersection in a convoy behind the lead vehicle, even if the light has changed
Must stop at every intersection
May drive in the oncoming lane
Why: Vehicles in a funeral procession with their headlights on usually travel in a column behind the lead vehicle, even if the light has changed—do not break up or cut in front of the procession.
8. A bus or streetcar stopped to pick up passengers on a street with one lane in each direction can usually be passed:
Only on the right
✓ Only on the left, if it is safe to do so and not prohibited by road markings
On either side, without restriction
You can't pass it; you have to wait
Why: If there is no separate lane for passing, you can usually pass a stopped bus or streetcar on the left, provided it is safe to do so and not prohibited by signs or road markings.
9. Does Ohio have a specific statewide law banning wearing headphones or earbuds in both ears while driving a regular passenger vehicle?
Yes, covering both ears with headphones is banned statewide with a specific fine
✓ No, Ohio has no specific statewide law banning this, though doing so unsafely could still support a careless or reckless operation citation
Yes, but only for drivers over age 65
Yes, but only on interstate highways
Why: Unlike some states, Ohio does not have a specific statewide statute banning headphones or earbuds in both ears while driving; however, if wearing them prevents you from hearing sirens or traffic and contributes to unsafe driving, an officer can still cite you for careless or reckless operation.
10. Fatigue while driving is especially dangerous because it:
Has no effect on the driver's reaction time
✓ Slows reaction time and can cause a brief microsleep while driving
Affects only passengers
Is dangerous only at night
Why: Fatigue slows reaction time and increases the risk of “microsleep”—a brief, involuntary lapse into sleep while driving, which is enough to cause an accident.
11. What is the rule for slower-moving traffic on a multi-lane highway in Ohio?
Slower vehicles should stay in the left lane
✓ Slower-moving traffic should keep to the right, yielding the left lane to faster or passing traffic
There is no rule; drivers may use any lane
Slower vehicles must use the shoulder
Why: As on nearly all U.S. highways, Ohio requires slower-moving traffic to keep to the right and use the left lane mainly for passing, so faster traffic can move through safely.
About the Ohio written test
40 (20 signs + 20 rules)questions on the real test
15/20correct answers to pass (75% on EACH section)
Next business dayto retest (fee applies each time)