Road safety is becoming one of the main issues to address in many states across the United States. In the case of Ohio, measures have also been taken to ensure that young people take seriously the process through which they learn to drive and obtain their licenses. All drivers, both young and experienced, must stay informed about legislative changes occurring on the roads in their state, such as speed limit laws, the implementation of automated camera technology, the prohibition of phone use, or license updates. The vast majority of these changes respond to the need to toughen fines and penalties resulting from speeding, as indicated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Because of all this, the Ohio Traffic Safety Office announced that starting September 30, drivers between the ages of 18 and 21 will have to complete a full driver education course if they want to receive their license. In this way, they will have to meet the same driver training requirements as young people aged 16 to 18, as the co-owner of the AmeriDrive Driving School, Bethany Baxter stated to The Intelligencer.
Additionally, license security is becoming increasingly strict. With the implementation of digital licenses, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is updating airport infrastructures to be able to use this new licensing modality. It is important to ensure that it is Real ID certified, especially if you plan to use it at airports or to access federal facilities.
Changes in Driving Legislation
Both new and more experienced drivers need to be informed about the changes in driving laws and legislation, which are far from few. The changes are made with the intention of ensuring road safety, which has seen an increase in accidents over the past year. The modifications are usually related to updates in speed laws, where penalties and fines have been increased, the prohibition of using a phone while driving, measures to prevent speeding and distractions, updates to license requirements, and even changes to the licenses themselves.
Speeding
The vast majority of the changes that have been made this year in road legislation have to do with drivers exceeding the speed limit. As data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows, nearly one-third of road deaths in 2023 were caused by speeding. For this reason, states have implemented measures to combat it, toughening penalties with higher fines and including prison sentences.
Changes in Regulations in Ohio
From the Ohio Traffic Safety Office, a new regulation was introduced that comes into effect on October 1, 2025, through which young people between the ages of 18 and 21 will have to complete a full driving education course if they want to obtain their license. Until now, it was sufficient to take a shortened course and pass the road driving test.
Why does it only affect young people?
According to the data, it is precisely this specific age group that accounts for the highest number of accidents, which is why the change only applies to them. As Bethany Baxter, co-owner of Ameri Drive Driving School, stated to The Intelligencer, “From what I’ve heard, for the first time, it is now an older age group that has had the majority of accidents, which is 19 as a range of 20-somethings.” This change means that drivers in this age range will have to meet the same driver training requirements as young people between 16 and 18 years old.
Real ID
The tightening of traffic regulations has also been applied to licenses, as happened with the creation of the Real ID, digital licenses. For this reason, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is carrying out the adaptation and updating of the necessary infrastructures to be able to use this type of digital license. In fact, you must ensure that your license is Real ID certified if you want to use it to board a plane or to access a federal building.