Driver License and SSN

How to Get A Driver License in Ohio

As F-1 student or J-1 student, you are not considered as a short-term visitor or tourist. You MUST get a valid U.S. driver license to operate a vehicle (with valid auto insurance).

To obtain a driver license in Ohio, you will go through the following procedures:

1. Study traffic laws. Digest of Ohio Motor Vehicle Laws is the official study guide of traffic laws in Ohio. You can get it at any Bureau of Motor Vehicle (BMV) agency for free. The closest BMV agency is located at 17 Cherri Park Square, Westerville, OH 43081 (near Walmart).

2. Start preparing the following documents:
a. Valid Passport.
b. I-20/DS-2019 form.
c. I-94 form. If you don’t know how to get it, CIEGE is always willing to help you.
d. Social Security Card (if you have been issued one). If you don’t have a Social Security Number (SSN), you can go to the Social Security Administration agency and get a letter from them states that you are not eligible to obtain a SSN. The nearest Social Security Administration agency is located at 1051 Worthington Woods Blvd, Worthington, OH 43085 (about 10-minute drive).
e. Bank statement with your residence address on it. ***C, P.O. Box, or any other types of non-physical address are NOT acceptable.

3. Go to any test center and take the written test. It is free, and no appointment is required. Remember to bring all the documents above. Before you take the written test, your vision will be tested by an examiner. Also some questions may be asked such as “Do you have any serious illness that affects you operate a vehicle?” “Are you under medical conditions?” etc. You may take the written test in Spanish, Arabic, Chinese (traditional), Russian, French, Somali, and Japanese. But you must understand direction in English when you take the road test.

4. If you passed the written test, follow examiner’s instruction and get your Ohio Temporary Instruction Permit Identification Card (TIPIC). Your TIPIC authorizes you to practice for your road test by driving on the street ONLY when accompanied by a licensed driver over 21 years old occupying the seat beside you. Your TIPIC will expire one year from the date of issuance.
If you didn’t pass the written test, go back study harder, and retake the test. You must wait at least 24 hours before retaking the test.

5. When you feel you have developed your driving skills and ready for a road test, you can go online and schedule a road test at any exam station you desired.

6. Go to the exam station and take your road test. You must bring your TIPIC and all the documents listed on Step 2. Once you passed the test, follow examiner’s instruction and get your Ohio Driver License. If you failed, you must wait at least seven days before re-testing. If you failed the skills tests four times, you must wait six months before retesting.

7. Bingo! You got your driver license! Before you drive on the road, make sure you have your auto insurance. It’s the LAW!