Special Licenses in Ohio

Bus or Shuttle Driver and Chauffeurs

If you want to drive a bus, a shuttle, or be a chauffeur, you will only need a commercial driver's license (CDL) if any of the following apply to the vehicle you'll be driving:

• It has a gross vehicle weight rating of over 26,000 pounds (Class A license)

• It is designed to carry at least 16 people, including the driver (Class C license)

• It's a school bus designed to carry fewer than 16 people, including the driver (Class C license)

If either of the last two apply, you'll also need to acquire a passenger endorsement.

Ohio no longer has a special chauffeur's license.

Please refer to our Applying for a New CDL article for information on how to obtain your license and endorsement. Be sure to check out our other CDL articles, as well.

Taxi Driver

The state doesn't have a special license just for taxi drivers. Check with your local government or taxi companies in your area to see if there are any additional requirements for becoming a taxi driver, beyond having the standard operator license.

Sport Vehicle Driver

Ohioans don't need a special license to operate an all-purpose vehicle (APV) or a snowmobile.

But to operate an APV or snowmobile on the state's public lands or waterways, you'll need to have a current operator, probationary, or commercial driver's license.

If you're under 16, you also must have a licensed driver who is 18 or older with you.

However, the state allows unlicensed riders between the ages of 12 and 16 to use a snowmobile or APV on state-controlled land, if they are with a currently-licensed parent or guardian who is over 18.

Hardship License

Under stringent requirements, children who are at least 14 may be granted a hardship license to drive within 10 miles of their home in order to transport a disabled parent or guardian for medical appointments or emergencies, or to handle chores such as driving to the grocery store. The minor must be the only currently-licensed driver in the household.

Many other conditions must be met for this license to be issued, and the state will investigate the situation to make sure it meets all the requirement of the license.

For more details on obtaining the license, call the Bureau of Motor Vehicles at (614) 752-7600.

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