Who Needs Driver's Ed in Ohio?
Beginning drivers under 18 generally need a TIPIC, 24 hours of approved theory, 8 professional driving hours, 50 supervised hours including 10 at night, a six-month TIPIC holding period, and successful driving and maneuverability tests.
Beginning drivers ages 18 through 20 also need approved Class D training and 50 supervised hours, including 10 at night.
Applicants age 21 or older generally do not need the standard full Class D course before an ordinary first driving-test attempt. Abbreviated adult training generally applies after a failed road or maneuverability attempt.
Rules for Taking Driver's Ed Online in Ohio
Ohio permits approved online driver education.
The current course rule requires at least 24 hours of instruction, student authentication controls, a 50-question final examination, and a minimum passing score of 75 percent.
Professional behind-the-wheel instruction for an online student begins only after the in-car school receives the completion certificate.
Ohio Licensing Process
Pass the knowledge examination.
Complete the vision screening.
Purchase the TIPIC.
Complete online driver education.
Complete 8 professional in-car hours.
Complete applicable supervised-driving hours.
Meet the six-month TIPIC period if under 18.
Schedule driving and maneuverability testing online.
Bring the required TIPIC, certificate, affidavit, and vehicle.
Pass testing and purchase the license.
Learning to Drive in Perry County
Perry County is different from a freeway-centered county.
A new driver is more likely to spend substantial time on two-lane state highways connecting relatively small villages.
The 2024 Active Transportation Plan identifies corridors linking:
New Lexington and Somerset.
Somerset and Thornville.
New Straitsville and Shawnee.
Shawnee and New Lexington.
Junction City and New Lexington.
Southern communities around Corning and Rendville.
Major Roads and Highways
State Route 13
SR 13 is one of Perry County's most important north-south routes.
The county's active transportation plan specifically studies SR 13 between New Lexington, Somerset, and Thornville and recommends alternatives or shoulder improvements to improve bicycle connectivity.
State Route 93
SR 93 is especially important through southern Perry County.
The county plan identifies the route between the Hocking County line, New Straitsville, Shawnee, and New Lexington.
U.S. Route 22
US 22 serves the western and central portion of Perry County and connects communities toward Fairfield County.
State Routes 37, 188, and 204
These routes also provide important regional connections, particularly around Junction City, New Lexington, Somerset, Thornville, and Buckeye Lake-area travel.
Primary Local Driving Topic: Village-to-Village State Highway Driving
Perry County's strongest local lesson is the transition from relatively open state highways into small villages.
A driver may travel at rural highway speeds and then enter New Straitsville, Shawnee, New Lexington, Somerset, or another village.
The student needs to recognize the transition early.
Watch for:
Lower speed limits.
Crosswalks.
Local traffic entering from side streets.
Pedestrians.
Cyclists.
On-street parking.
School traffic.
Do not wait until the center of town to reduce speed.
Pedestrians and Cyclists
Perry County updated its Active Transportation Plan in 2024. The plan treats walking and bicycling as part of the transportation network rather than purely recreational activity.
The county's 2026 Creating Healthy Communities program is also working with New Lexington schools on Safe Routes to School for walking and bicycling.
For new drivers, this means checking shoulders, crosswalks, and intersections for users who may be outside a motor vehicle.
Rural Roads and Night Driving
Outside the villages, a student should expect:
Curves.
Limited roadside lighting.
Wildlife.
Rural driveways.
Longer distances between intersections.
Slower farm or local vehicles.
The student should learn to drive at a speed appropriate to visibility, not merely the maximum posted limit.
Online Driver's Ed Throughout Perry County
Students throughout Perry County can complete A Skillful Driver's approved theory portion online.
Professional behind-the-wheel instruction remains separate.
Important Villages
New Lexington Drivers
New Lexington is the Perry County seat and largest incorporated municipality. It is legally a village, not a city, under current Ohio population records. Its 2024 estimate was approximately 4,463.
SR 13 and SR 37 make it the county's principal road hub.
Crooksville Drivers
Crooksville is the county's second-largest village. Students encounter ordinary village traffic before transitioning onto rural state routes.
Somerset Drivers
Somerset is an important northern county community on the SR 13 network and is specifically included in the county's regional bicycle-route planning.
Thornville Drivers
Thornville lies in northern Perry County near Buckeye Lake-area travel and connects with SR 13 and SR 204 corridors.
New Straitsville and Shawnee Drivers
SR 93 directly links these communities, and the county's current active transportation work identifies this corridor for shoulder and bicycle-network improvements.
Perry County BMV Location
Perry County Deputy Registrar
600 W. Broadway New Lexington, OH 43764 Phone: 740-342-3609
A current State of Ohio contract document published in 2026 identifies the Perry County licensing operation at 600 West Broadway in New Lexington.
Driving Test
I did not verify a separate current Perry County driver-exam station from the official BMV sources reviewed.
Use BMV Online Services to select a current examination location.
BMV addresses, services, testing availability, and operating hours can change. Check the Ohio BMV before visiting.
Driving Schools Offering Behind-the-Wheel Training in Perry County
I did not find a currently verified Ohio DPS Class D location physically within Perry County in the statewide directory results reviewed for this batch.
Nearby Ohio DPS-listed options students can investigate include:
Fairfield County Driving Academy
955 Liberty Dr. Lancaster, OH 43130 Phone: 740-653-3193
Ohio DPS currently lists Behind-the-Wheel and Classroom training.
Muskingum County Driving School
1320 Brandywine Blvd. Zanesville, OH 43701 Phone: 740-454-1220
Ohio DPS currently lists Behind-the-Wheel, Classroom, and Virtual instruction.
Students should confirm whether either school's service area and scheduling are practical for their part of Perry County.
These driving schools are listed as local resources. Inclusion does not imply affiliation with or endorsement by A Skillful Driver. Students should confirm availability, pricing, scheduling, and current Ohio licensing status directly with the school.
Perry County FAQ
Answers to common questions about online driver education, licensing steps, and local requirements in Perry County.
Can I take Ohio driver's ed online in Perry County?
Yes.
Can I take it if I live in New Lexington?
Yes.
Is New Lexington a city?
No. Current state population records classify New Lexington as a village.
Do 18-year-olds need driver's ed?
Yes.
How many supervised hours are required?
Fifty, including ten at night, for beginning drivers under 21.
Can I begin behind-the-wheel lessons before completing the online course?
No.
Where is the Perry County BMV?
600 W. Broadway in New Lexington.
Is there a verified in-county road-test station?
I did not verify a separate Perry County exam station. Use the BMV scheduler.
Are there current in-county driving schools?
I did not find a Perry County Class D school in the current DPS results I could verify.
Why are SR 13 and SR 93 important?
They connect several of the county's largest and most important villages.
What should students watch for when entering Perry County villages?
Lower speeds, pedestrians, cyclists, cross streets, and parked vehicles.
Is Rendville still incorporated?
Yes. Perry County currently identifies Rendville as an incorporated village, and ODOT's 2024 road inventory continues to identify a Rendville municipality.
Does Roseville cross the county line?
Yes. Roseville lies in Perry and Muskingum counties.
Start Your Perry County Ohio Driver's Ed Online
A Skillful Driver provides the approved online theory portion throughout Perry County.
Professional in-car instruction is completed separately.
Cities and Villages in Perry County, Ohio
Perry County currently has no incorporated cities. Its incorporated villages are:
Corning
Crooksville
Glenford
Hemlock
Junction City
New Lexington
New Straitsville
Rendville
Roseville, partly in Perry County
Shawnee
Somerset
Thornville
Future City Internal Links
/ohio/corning-online-drivers-ed/
/ohio/crooksville-online-drivers-ed/
/ohio/glenford-online-drivers-ed/
/ohio/hemlock-online-drivers-ed/
/ohio/junction-city-online-drivers-ed/
/ohio/new-lexington-online-drivers-ed/
/ohio/new-straitsville-online-drivers-ed/
/ohio/rendville-online-drivers-ed/
/ohio/roseville-online-drivers-ed/
/ohio/shawnee-online-drivers-ed/
/ohio/somerset-online-drivers-ed/
/ohio/thornville-online-drivers-ed/
Sources & Verification
Verified August 22, 2026.
Ohio BMV licensing requirements.
Ohio Administrative Code driver-education rules.
Perry County Active Transportation Plan, 2024 update.
Perry County government municipality information.
Ohio Department of Development municipal estimates.
State of Ohio Perry County licensing contract data.