Parents and teen-agers take notice. Ohio’s new graduated driver licensing law takes effect July 1, 1998.

This law provides new drivers under age 18 with additional experience and skills necessary to safely operate a motor vehicle. Skills that may one day help save a life.

The new graduated driver licensing law, while somewhat complicated, serves the vital task of assisting teens with becoming safe drivers. Dependent on age, there are essentially two separate portions to the law. First, for those that turn 15 1/2 on or after July 1, 1998, (born on or after January 1, 1983), and second, those that turn age 16 before January 1, 1999, (born after January 1, 1983).

Beginning July 1, teens born on or after January 1, 1983, must take the following steps to obtain an Ohio driver license.

• Upon reaching age 15 1/2, purchase a Temporary Packet from a Deputy Registrar on or after July 1, 1998. This packet is valid for one year.
• Pass both a written and vision test at a Driver Examination Station, upon which time a Temporary Permit will be issued.
• When driving with a Temporary Permit, teens must drive with a licensed parent, guardian, or certified driving instructor seated in the front seat. Upon turning 16, a Temporary Permit allows the holder to drive only with a licensed driver age 21 or older. A further restriction prohibits driving between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. for those under age 17, unless with a parent, guardian, or custodian who holds a valid driver license.
• Teens must meet either commercial or high school driver education requirements consisting of 24 classroom hours of instruction, and eight hours of driving if applying for a license before age 18.
• Complete 50 hours of actual driving experience certified by a parent. At least 10 of those driving hours must be at night before obtaining a license for those under age 18. These hours are in addition to the driver education requirements.
• Drivers under age 18 must hold a Temporary Permit for at least six months before obtaining a license.
• At age 16, make an appointment at a Driver License Examination Station and pass the driving and maneuverability tests.
• Return to a Deputy Registrar and purchase a license upon passing the driving and maneuverability tests at a Driver License Exam Station. Drivers under age 17 may not drive between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. unless with a parent or guardian, with exceptions for work, school, or an emergency.

Teens that turn age 16 before January 1, 1999, may obtain an Ohio driver license through basically the same process outlined above, with the following exceptions.

• Teens that turn 16-years old before July 1, 1998, may purchase a Temporary Packet from a Deputy Registrar.
• After July 1, 1998, teens 16-years old may drive on a Temporary Permit only with a licensed driver age 21 or older. Temporary Permits issued on or after July 1, 1998, prohibit teens from driving between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. if under age 17 unless with a parent, guardian, or custodian.
• Complete either commercial or high school driver education requirements if under age 18. Teens must complete a minimum of 16 hours classroom instruction and eight hours of driving, or the current high school requirements to obtain a license prior to January 1, 1999. After January 1, 1999, required training for teens will include 24 hours of classroom instruction and eight hours driving.
• Before reaching age 18, to obtain a driver license on or after January 1, 1999, teens must complete 50 hours of actual driving experience certified by a parent with at least 10 hours at night. Additionally, teens must meet the driver education requirement, and must have had their Temporary Permit for six months.
• Before reaching age 17 to obtain a driver license on or after January 1, 1999, teens may not drive between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., unless with a parent or guardian, with exceptions for work, school, or in an emergency.
• Safety belts must be available to all passengers and worn by everyone in the vehicle for all licensed drivers under age 18 driving on or after January 1, 1999.