Ohio is a state of contrasting experiences, with its rock and roll music history and sprawling cities such as Cincinnati and Cleveland and its quiet rural towns and scenic Amish County. It is perfect for exploring in a car rental and in this article we give you more information on the main road rules in the state. Make the most of your trip and avoid fines and traffic offenses by brushing up on the driving rules and regulations in advance.
General Rules and Regulations
- Drivers must always yield to pedestrians at intersections and crosswalks, and, additionally, drivers must yield if pedestrians are crossing illegally.
- Drivers and passengers in the front seats must always wear a seatbelt and all passengers must wear a seatbelt if the driver is under 18 years old.
- Children between 4 and 8 years old must be placed in a booster seat, children under 4 must be in a safety seat, and children between 4 and 15 must be seated in a safety seat or secured with a properly adjusted seatbelt.
- Drivers must stop for buses that are loading and unloading, unless on the opposite side of a 4-lane highway.
- Turning right at a traffic signal is permitted if it is not signposted as otherwise and considering the vehicle has come to a full stop and checking it is safe to proceed before making the turn.
Speed Limits in Ohio
When driving in Ohio make sure you adjust your speed based on the weather and road conditions. Ohio is one of the few U.S states where a 70 mph speed limit is permitted on a non-freeway highway. Here are the general speed limits for roads in Ohio.
| School zones | 15 mph |
| Within city limits | 25 mph |
| Urban interstate roads and highways | 50-65 mph |
| Divided highways and interstates | 55-70 mph |
Turning and Parking
To make a U-turn in Ohio drivers must check they have visibility of up to 500 feet in either direction, taking into account curves or gradients in the road. However, in some cities such as Columbus, U-turns are banned altogether so make sure you check out the law in the city you are visiting or avoid U-turns altogether while driving in built-up areas.
- Do not park within 10 feet of a fire hydrant.
- Do not park on a crosswalk, in an intersection, on a highway bridge, in a highway tunnel, or alongside a parked vehicle (double parking).
- Do not park within 30 feet of a safety zone.
- Do not park within 50 feet of a railroad.
- Park in the same direction as the flow of traffic.
- Park within 12 inches of the curb.
Car Rental with SIXT in Ohio
With a car rental, Ohio has a plethora of scenic roads to explore that introduce you to cultural experiences and stunning landscapes. The Amish County Scenic Byway will take you through the heartlands of the Amish people where you will find quaint villages and serene pastoral countryside. The Appalachian Byway of Ohio will take you through the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains; folk music from this area had a huge influence on the development of country music and bluegrass. To the north, you can take the Lake Erie Scenic Byway to take in the beautiful coastline of this oceanic Great Lake. It is a great way to explore the prairies, rivers, and islands of Lake Erie while also taking you through Cleveland.
