SB 419 Ohio Senate · 136th Legislature (2025-2026)

Revise temporary instruction permit eligibility, requirements

Summary
To amend sections 4507.05 and 4507.071 of the Revised Code to lower the age at which a juvenile may obtain a temporary instruction permit from 15½ to 15 and to expand the time a juvenile must hold a temporary instruction permit before eligibility for a probationary license from six months to one year.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Jun 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Apr 9, 2026 Last action Jun 16, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As Introduced As Passed by the Senate · 6 edits · Jun 10, 2026
MODERATE
This bill lowers the minimum age to obtain a temporary instruction permit from 15.5 to 15 years old and extends the required holding period for a probationary license from six months to one year. It also clarifies restrictions on driving at night for minors and adds specific exemptions for out-of-state license holders.
Scope change
The bill expands eligibility for new drivers by allowing 15-year-olds to apply for permits, while simultaneously tightening restrictions on when they can drive unsupervised at night.
ELIGIBILITY

The minimum age to apply for a temporary instruction permit was lowered from 15.5 years to 15 years.

REQUIREMENT

The mandatory holding period for a temporary instruction permit before becoming eligible for a probationary license was increased from six months to one year.

Night driving restrictions for probationary license holders under 18 were adjusted to allow driving between midnight and 6 a.m. only with a parent or guardian present.

DEFINITION

New definitions were added to clarify who counts as an 'eligible adult' and 'family member' for supervision purposes.

ENFORCEMENT

The bill explicitly prohibits law enforcement from stopping vehicles solely to check seatbelt usage or to enforce the new nighttime driving restrictions.

EXEMPTIONS

Specific exemptions were added for probationary license holders traveling to/from work, school functions, or religious events at night with written documentation.

Floor votes · Senate Jun 11, 2026

How they voted

330
Passed
Total votes 33
Jun 11, 2026
D Democratic9
9 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican24
24 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
6
Key actions
2
Committee
1
Jun 16, 2026
Introduced
Introduced
lower
Jun 11, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (33-0)
senate
Jun 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Apr 15, 2026
Committee
Referred to committee
upper
Apr 9, 2026
Introduced
Introduced
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Theresa Gavarone
Theresa Gavarone
RRepublican
OH
2