Ohio BMV 5791 Fifty-Hour Affidavit Guide 2026

Ohio BMV 5791 Fifty-Hour Affidavit Guide 2026 – If you or your teen is preparing for an Ohio driver’s license, the Ohio Form BMV 5791 — Fifty-Hour Affidavit is a critical document. This official Bureau of Motor Vehicles form verifies that a Temporary Instruction Permit Identification Card (TIPIC) holder has completed the required supervised practice driving hours before taking the driving skills test and applying for a probationary or full license.

This guide covers everything U.S. residents in Ohio need to know about the current version of the form, including who must complete it, how to log hours, notarization rules, and where to submit it. Information is based on official Ohio Department of Public Safety and BMV sources as of 2026.

What Is Ohio Form BMV 5791?

The BMV 5791 Fifty-Hour Affidavit is an official form issued by the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Motor Vehicles. It serves as a sworn statement confirming that a temporary permit holder has completed at least 50 hours of actual supervised driving experience, including a minimum of 10 hours during nighttime hours.

Nighttime is defined as the period beginning one-half hour after sunset and ending one-half hour before the following sunrise. The form includes a Supervised Driving Log section (in the current 9/25 revision) where practice sessions are recorded by date, times, and day/night hours.

Falsifying the affidavit is a criminal offense punishable by fine and/or imprisonment under Ohio Revised Code Sections 2921.21 and 4507.21.

Who Needs to Complete the Fifty-Hour Affidavit?

The BMV 5791 is required for:

New drivers under age 21 (including ages 15½ through 20) applying for a probationary or driver’s license after holding a TIPIC.
Applicants holding a limited-term Non-Renewable/Non-Transferable (NR/NT) Temporary Instruction Permit who must meet the 50-hour practice requirement under current Ohio law.
Certain drivers under 21 whose previous license has been expired for more than six months and who never completed an approved driver education course.

It is not typically required for drivers age 21 and older unless they fall under specific limited-term or other circumstances outlined by the BMV.

For full details on the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program, visit the official Ohio BMV Graduated Driver Licensing page.

Eligible Adult Requirements

An “eligible adult” must supervise the practice driving and complete the affidavit. According to the form, an eligible adult is:

The parent, guardian, or custodian of the applicant, or
A person over the age of 21 who acts in loco parentis (in the place of a parent).

For limited-term NR/NT applicants, the eligible adult who supervises the driving must hold a valid Ohio driver license and must be the same person who signs the attestation on the form.

The eligible adult must appear in person before a notary public to sign the affidavit.

Key Requirements for the 50 Hours of Supervised Driving

Before the driving test can be scheduled or taken, the temporary permit holder must:

Complete a minimum of 50 hours of supervised driving practice with an eligible adult.
Include at least 10 of those hours during nighttime (½ hour after sunset to ½ hour before sunrise).
Hold the TIPIC for at least six months (for most under-18 applicants).
Complete an approved Class D driver education course (24 hours classroom/online + 8 hours behind-the-wheel) when required by age or status.

These practice hours are in addition to any behind-the-wheel instruction received from a licensed driving school.

How to Complete the BMV 5791 Form?

The current version of the form (revision 9/25) includes two main parts:

Personal Information and Affidavit Section — Enter the temporary permit holder’s full name, TIPIC ID number, and address. Enter the eligible adult’s name, Ohio driver license or ID number, relationship to the permit holder, address, and contact information.
Supervised Driving Log — Record each practice session with the date, supervising driver’s name and Ohio license number, start and end times (including AM/PM), and separate totals for daytime and nighttime hours/minutes.

Once the log reaches at least 50 total hours (with 10 night hours), the eligible adult signs the affidavit in the presence of a notary public. The notary completes the jurat with the date, county, state, signature, seal, and commission expiration date.

Do not sign the form until you are in front of the notary.

Using the RoadReady Ohio App to Log Hours

Ohio offers a free official app called RoadReady Ohio to help track practice drives. You can log sessions digitally, receive feedback, and later export a completed driving report and affidavit.

After reaching the required hours:

Export the Driving Report from the app.
Print the affidavit and log.
Have the eligible adult sign it before a notary.
Bring the notarized documents to the driving test appointment.

Manual paper logging on the BMV 5791 form itself is also fully acceptable. Learn more at the official RoadReady Ohio website.

When and Where to Submit Form BMV 5791?

Present the completed, signed, and notarized BMV 5791 (with the Supervised Driving Log) at these points:

To the Driver Examiner at your first driving and skills test appointment.
To the Deputy Registrar when you apply for and purchase your probationary or full driver’s license after passing the tests.

Bring your TIPIC, proof of identity and residency documents, driver education certificate (if required), and a vehicle in good condition for the skills test. Schedule testing through official BMV channels.

As of March 30, 2026, the 9/25 version of BMV 5791 that includes the Supervised Driving Log is the only accepted version. Earlier versions without the log section are obsolete.

Download the Official Ohio BMV 5791 Form

Always download the current official form directly from Ohio government sources to ensure you have the latest revision:

Download Official BMV 5791 Fifty-Hour Affidavit (PDF)

You can also obtain printed copies at many Ohio BMV Driver Examination Stations or Deputy Registrar agencies. The form is listed on the official Ohio BMV Documents & Fees / Forms page.

Tips for Successfully Completing the Fifty-Hour Affidavit

Start logging hours as soon as the TIPIC is issued so you have plenty of time.
Record sessions promptly — do not wait until the end.
Ensure the supervising adult is present and actively supervising during every logged hour.
Keep a backup of your log (app export or photocopies).
Confirm the form is notarized with a date after the TIPIC issuance date.
Double-check that nighttime hours clearly meet the legal definition.
Bring the original notarized form to both the skills test and the license issuance appointment.

Related Ohio Driver Licensing Resources

Requirements can change, so always verify the latest rules and form revision on official Ohio BMV or OTSO websites before scheduling your test or applying for a license.

Completing the BMV 5791 Fifty-Hour Affidavit carefully helps new drivers build essential experience and meet Ohio’s safety standards for licensing. Download the official form, log your hours accurately, get it properly notarized, and you’ll be ready for the next step toward your Ohio driver’s license.