Delaware County Review

State Representatives Roy Klopfenstein and Brian Lorenz have introduced a bill aimed at updating Ohio’s driver education requirements by incorporating technology to increase accessibility and flexibility for families.

According to Rep. Klopfenstein, “This legislation embraces innovation to make driver education more affordable and flexible for families, while keeping safety at the forefront. It allows young drivers to get meaningful, supervised experience without sacrificing oversight.”

The proposed changes would maintain existing classroom instruction but provide new options for completing behind-the-wheel practice hours. Under the bill, younger drivers could substitute 50 hours of practice with a parent for 40 verified hours using an approved app. Older drivers would be able to replace 25 hours with a licensed adult with 20 verified hours via an app. Both age groups would also have the option to fulfill the current eight-hour instructor requirement either entirely with a licensed instructor or split it between four hours with an instructor and four verified hours using an app.

Rep. Lorenz stated, “This bill updates Ohio’s driver education system by using modern technology to expand options for families. Our priority is ensuring that young drivers gain the skills and confidence they need to stay safe on the road.”

Currently, parents are not allowed to provide any of the required in-car instruction hours. The new proposal would permit parents to complete up to four of those hours if they use an approved electronic tool; this change is optional and does not replace traditional instruction methods.

Oversight of these technological tools remains under the authority of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, which will evaluate and approve or deny any app or system used for verifying driving practice hours.

The legislation also seeks to lower the minimum age for obtaining a learner's permit from 15-and-a-half years old to 15 years old so that new drivers can gain experience during all four seasons before driving independently.