Ohio BMV Driver Manual Section 6: State Laws and Penalties

proof of financial responsibility (insurance) must be shown in these situations:

when operating a motor vehicle, registering a vehicle, or upon request by law enforcement.

minimum liability insurance requirements are:

$25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for total bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage.

in ohio, the legal drinking age is 21+ and it is against the law to operate a motor vehicle with a BAC of:

0.08% or higher.

if an individual consents to a chemical test within two hours of the arrest and the test results prove a BAC of .08 or higher…

they may face administrative penalties such as license suspension and additional criminal charges.

if an individual refuses to submit to a chemical test within two hours of the arrest…

they may face an automatic license suspension and may also face additional penalties.

point violations for traffic:

include speeding, running a red light, and driving under suspension. These violations can lead to penalties such as fines and increased insurance rates.

riding on the outside of a vehicle is prohibited unless…

the cargo storage area of the vehicle is equipped with a properly secured seat and a safety belt, or an emergency.

if a child is under age 4 and weighs less than 40 pounds…

they must be secured in a child safety seat.

if a child is age 4 and weighs 40 pounds but under age 8…

they must be secured in a booster seat.

if a child is age 8 but under age 15…

they must be secured in a seat belt, regardless of seating position.

if a child is age 12 and younger…

they must be secured in the back seat whenever possible.

what to do when you’re pulled over by law enforcement:

Remain calm, pull over safely, and follow the officer's instructions.

keep your hands on the steering wheel in view of the officer when…

you are stopped by law enforcement.

headlights must be on:

from sunset to sunrise and during poor visibility conditions.

the distance you can see in front of your vehicle is limited by the…

headlight range.

when driving in fog…

you should use low-beam headlights for better visibility and reduce your speed.

when driving in winter…

you should increase your following distance, use winter tires, and reduce speed for better control.

what to do if your vehicle starts to skid?

You should steer in the direction of the skid, avoid slamming on the brakes, and hold the steering wheel steady.

when driving in work zones you…

should reduce your speed, be alert, and follow posted signs for safety.

For drivers OVER 18, what’s a consequence of the 1st offense?

2 points assessed to Driver License, and a fine up to $150

For drivers OVER 18, what’s a consequence of the 2nd offense?

3 POINTS assessed to Driver License, and a fine up to $250

For drivers OVER 18, what’s a consequence of the 3rd (or more) offense(s)?

4 points assessed to Driver License, and a fine up to $500

What happens to the fine if you commit a violation in a work zone?

Doubled

For drivers UNDER 18, what’s a consequence of the 1st violation/offense?

60 days license suspension and a fine up to $150

For drivers UNDER 18, what’s a consequence of the 2nd violation/offense?

1 year license suspension and a fine up to $300