The first step to getting your driver’s license in Ohio is passing the ‘permit test’ – which is also otherwise known as the ‘knowledge test’ in most other states – meant to assess a new driver’s understanding of the rules of the road. This also encompasses learning what traffic signs mean, as well as safe driving practices. Once you’ve passed the permit test, you can then get a learner’s permit, but how many questions are on the Ohio permit test, anyway?
Well, it’s time to do your revision, because the Ohio permit test consists of 40 questions, and it is then divided into two halves… 20 questions that’ll quiz you on road signs, and the remainder of the 20 questions then quizzes you on traffic laws specific to Ohio. This structure is designed to ensure that students and applicants have a comprehensive understanding of visual cues that you might see when driving around in Ohio, as well as the rules that you’ll need to follow.
So, here’s what else you need to know about how many questions are on the Ohio permit test:
1) How Many Questions Are There On The Permit Test?
As mentioned earlier, the Ohio permit test has 40 questions, designed to make sure that you’ll have a good, basic foundational understanding of the principles of safe driving, as well as your knowledge of road safety, traffic signs, and driving laws specific to the state of Ohio. As noted earlier, those 40 questions on the knowledge test are split in two halves:
- There are 20 questions meant to quiz you on road signs, testing your ability to recognize and understand what different road signs mean.
- Additionally, there are 20 more questions that’ll quiz you on traffic laws, assessing you on rules at intersections, right-of-way rules, speed limits, and more.
Thankfully, while it can be anxiety-inducing to take the Ohio permit test for a new student, it’s not like you have to get all 40 questions right. The passing score set by the Ohio BMV is for you to get at least 30 questions out of 40 correct to pass the permit test. This means the passing grade is around 75%, balancing fairness for applicants, while also ensuring that students get a satisfactory level of understanding of road signs and traffic laws around Ohio.
2) How Is The Ohio Permit Test Formatted?
The Ohio permit test is comprised of multiple-choice questions, so you get several options for answers for each question. In most places, this permit/knowledge test is taken digitally, with select Ohio BMV locations providing computers where applicants could complete this test. It also means that you’ll often get your scores immediately (though in some locations, you may have to wait a bit), allowing you to know if you’ve passed or failed the test right away.
Also, just for reference, here are some sample questions that I’ve found that appeared in previous Ohio permit tests:
1. What does a red octagonal sign indicate?
- a) Yield
- b) Stop
- c) Do not enter
- d) Slow down
Correct Answer: b) Stop
2. What should you do if you approach a traffic light that is not working?
- a) Proceed with caution, no need to stop
- b) Treat it as a four-way stop
- c) Make a U-turn and find an alternate route
- d) Speed up to pass the intersection quickly
Correct Answer: b) Treat it as a four-way stop
3. What is the legal speed limit in a residential area in Ohio unless otherwise posted?
- a) 20 mph
- b) 25 mph
- c) 30 mph
- d) 35 mph
Correct Answer: c) 30 mph
4. When are you required to yield to a school bus in Ohio?
- a) When the bus is stopped with red lights flashing
- b) Only when the bus is stopped in your lane
- c) When you are driving in the opposite direction on a divided highway
- d) Only in school zones
Correct Answer: a) When the bus is stopped with red lights flashing
5. How far must you park from a fire hydrant in Ohio?
- a) 5 feet
- b) 10 feet
- c) 15 feet
- d) 20 feet
Correct Answer: c) 15 feet
3) Breaking Down The Permit Test Sections
So, as I discussed earlier, the Ohio permit test is split into two sections; one for road signs, and the other for traffic laws. For a more specific understanding of what you’ll have to study before the test, here’s what each specific section entails:
TIP: A lot of the questions and topics in the permit test can be found on the Ohio BMV’s official Driver’s Manual, which you can find and download online for free. This should be your primary study resource, which should include all the relevant information you need to know about road signs, traffic laws, and safe driving practices. You could also test yourself before the actual test with mock exams and practice tests online, which try to replicate the real Ohio permit test.
Road Signs
There are 3 different types of road signs that are generally covered in the Ohio permit test:
- Warning Signs – This discusses road signs that warn you about potential hazards or changes in road conditions. For example, you might notice warning signs that give you a heads-up about sudden curves, steep hills, or pedestrian crossings, and more.
- Regulatory Signs – These road signs give you instructions that you have to follow, such as stop signs, yield signs, or speed limit signs. Understanding these regulatory signs is vital for you to comply with traffic laws and keep the roads safe for everyone.
- Informational Signs – Elsewhere, these information road signs offer guidance to you about the conditions of the road ahead, directions, or services. They include exit signs on highways, mile markers, or rest area signs. These could help you plan your journey.
When you’re being quizzed on the Ohio permit test about road signs, you – the applicant – have to identify the shape, color, and symbols of a diverse array of road signs. For example, a bright red octagonal sign signifies a stop. You’re then asked to understand the specific instructions or warnings that each road sign tries to convey, and what sort of actions you’ll have to take when you come across a specific road sign. For example, what differs between a yield sign vs a road sign?
Traffic Laws
Meanwhile, when it comes to traffic laws, there are different sub-sets of questions covered:
- Speed Limits – This should be pretty straightforward, but you’ll be quizzed on different speed limits that are enforced on different types of roads. It’ll encompass tiny streets in residential areas, roads passing by school zones, highways, interstates, and so on.
- Right-of-Way Rules – Additionally, you’ll be asked how the different Right-of-Way rules will apply in Ohio, especially when you’re driving in varying scenarios. For instance, how do the Right of Way rules work in four-way stops, roundabouts, or pedestrian crossings.
- Traffic Control Devices – Specifically, there are questions that familiarize you with the use of lane markings, traffic signals, and pedestrian signals. For example, you’ll have to understand what different traffic light colors mean, what a dashed line means versus a solid line, or how you respond to pedestrian signals, and more.
- Ohio-Specific Laws – While most states have similar driving laws, there are some laws that are more specific to Ohio, in particular. As such, the Ohio BMV’s permit test will quiz you on all the laws unique to Ohio, such as laws concerning school buses, construction zones, as well as the many railroad crossings throughout the state.
In short, the permit test ensures that you understand and can practically apply Ohio’s traffic laws properly in different situations. One example is realizing that in Ohio, you have to stop at least 10 feet away from a stopped school bus when it’s displaying red flashing lights. The Ohio permit test will also ensure that you have a good understanding of safe driving practices, like maintaining safe following distances, using turn signals, or making a proper lane change.