New rules set for teen drivers

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Starting at the end of next month, a new set of requirements will be in effect for people between the ages of 18 and 20 who want to get their driver's license.

These changes would mean everyone under 21 would have to complete a full driver's education course, and officials with the Ohio Traffic Safety Office believe this is about ensuring safety among young drivers.

“We know that young people that go through driver training have less serious crashes within that first year of licensure than those that are licensed at ages when the training is no longer required,” Ohio Traffic Safety Office Assistant Director Kimberly Schwind said. “So, we know that this is a critical safety component that is going to save lives on Ohio's roads.”

Revised rules in the newly signed state budget now require people ages 18 to 20 to complete an approved driver training course. This includes 24 hours of classroom lessons, eight hours of driver training with an instructor and 50 hours of driving with a licensed driver 21 or older, with 10 hours of driving at night.

"A lot of times, we see people thinking that if they wait until they age out of driver training, they can just get their license,” Schwind said. “But that means that they're missing this critical safety component of that training and that practice.”

Previously, those 18 and older did not have to take a full training course or they could choose a shorter course. According to the Ohio Traffic Safety Office, 58% of fatal accidents last year caused by teen drivers involved 18- and 19-year-olds. 

Faith Driving School instructor David Berk said the new requirements are a necessary step toward improving those statistics.

“It does give them a lot more information, even if they've been driving with their parents for a year or even longer on a temporary permit,” Berk said. “Professionally trained license instructors do this every day, and so we can give them a lot more information. I really study my students and see what they're observing so I can get them to be as safe as possible on the roads.”

The new rules go into effect on Sept. 30. For more information on the rules as well as a list of qualified driving schools, click here.