Phone laws, insurance and license points

Key points

1. In Ohio it is illegal to drive distracted, including using a wireless device.

   Source: Section 3

   “In Ohio, it is illegal to drive distracted. This includes using an electronic wireless communication device.”
   Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 3

2. It is illegal in most cases to use, hold or support a phone while driving.

   Source: Section 3

   “It is illegal in most cases to use, hold, or physically support a cell phone or electronic wireless communications device while driving on Ohio roads.”
   Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 3

3. Drivers over 18 may use hands-free technology if they do not hold or support the device.

   Source: Section 3

   “The law allows drivers over 18 years old to make and receive phone calls using “hands-free” technology, and use other device features, as long as they do not hold or support the device”
   Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 3

4. You may use a phone to report an emergency to police, a hospital, a fire department or similar.

   Source: Section 3

   “Reporting an emergency to law enforcement, a hospital, health care provider, fire department or similar emergency entity.”
   Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 3

5. First phone offense in two years: 2 points and a fine up to $150.

   Source: Section 3

   “1st offense in two years: 2 points assessed to Driver License, up to a $150 fine.”
   Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 3

6. Third or more in two years: 4 points, up to $500 and a possible 90 day suspension. Fines double in work zones.

   Source: Section 3

   “3rd or more in two years: 4 points assessed to Driver License, up to a $500 fine, possible 90-day suspension of Driver License. Fines doubled if the violation occurs in a work zone.”
   Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 3

7. It is illegal to drive without insurance or to let anyone drive your car uninsured.

   Source: Section 6

   “In Ohio, it is illegal to drive any motor vehicle without insurance, and it is illegal for a vehicle owner to allow anyone else to drive his or her motor vehicle without insurance.”
   Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 6

8. Minimum liability: $25,000 for one person, $50,000 for two or more and $25,000 for property.

   Source: Section 6

   “$25,000 for injury/death of one person, and $50,000 for injury/death of two or more people, and $25,000 for property damage in an accident;”
   Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 6

9. Six points in two years brings a warning letter from the BMV.

   Source: Section 6

   “If a driver accumulates six points within a two-year period, the BMV will send a six-point warning letter to the driver.”
   Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 6

10. Twelve or more points in two years brings a 12-point suspension.

    Source: Section 6

    “If a driver accumulates 12 or more points within a two-year period, the BMV will impose a 12-point suspension of the Driver License.”
    Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 6

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Ohio practice test

1. 1. Which activity is specifically allowed as an exception to Ohio’s hands-free restriction?

   1. Reporting an emergency
   2. Scrolling through social media while driving
   3. Typing a destination while moving
   4. Watching a video on the phone while driving
   Show answer

   Reporting an emergency. Ohio's hands-free law for drivers 18 and older lists reporting an emergency to law enforcement, a hospital, a health care provider, a fire department, or a similar emergency entity as an express exception. Scrolling social media and watching a video are ordinary device use, not emergency reporting, and the law does not let a driver hold or support the device for them. Typing a destination while moving means manually entering letters or symbols, which the law does not allow. The cue is genuine emergency reporting, not convenience or entertainment.

2. 2. How many Ohio penalty points accumulated within two years cause the BMV to impose a point suspension?

   1. 9 points
   2. 6 points
   3. 12 or more points
   4. 18 points
   Show answer

   12 or more points. The BMV imposes a 12-point suspension when a driver accumulates 12 or more points within a two-year period. Six points trigger a warning letter, not the suspension, while nine and eighteen are not the thresholds stated here. The cue is the progression: six means warning, twelve means suspension. Read the time window too, because the rule counts points within two years rather than across an unlimited driving history.

3. 3. An adult Ohio driver commits a third handheld device violation within two years. What can follow?

   1. 2 points and a $150 fine
   2. A lifetime revocation
   3. A warning letter only
   4. 4 points, a fine of up to $500, and a possible 90-day suspension
   Show answer

   4 points, a fine of up to $500, and a possible 90-day suspension. Ohio escalates distracted driving penalties within a two year period. The third or later violation brings 4 points, a fine of up to $500, and a possible 90 day license suspension. Two points and $150 is the first offense. Lifetime revocation and a warning letter do not appear in the law's penalties. Fines are doubled if the violation happens in a work zone.

Source: the Ohio Driver Manual, Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws, Section 3: Be Alert. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.