Ohio Form BMV 5789 Twenty-Four Hour Affidavit Guide – If you are 21 or older in Ohio and failed your first attempt at the maneuverability or road portion of the driving skills test, you may need the official Ohio Form BMV 5789 — Twenty-Four Hour Affidavit. This notarized form documents 24 hours of supervised practice driving when you choose that option instead of professional behind-the-wheel training. It is issued by the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).
This SEO-optimized guide uses current official information from the Ohio BMV and Ohio Traffic Safety Office to help temporary instruction permit holders understand eligibility, how to complete the form, logging options, and submission rules.
What Is Ohio Form BMV 5789?
BMV 5789 is the official “Twenty-Four Hour Affidavit” used by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The current revision (BMV 5789 9/25) requires drivers age 21 and older who are attempting the driving test a second or subsequent time to document 24 hours of practice driving with a valid licensed driver. Practice may not exceed four hours per day.
Supervised hours can be recorded on the included log or through the free RoadReady Ohio app. The form must be signed by the temporary permit holder and notarized. Falsifying the affidavit is a criminal offense under Ohio Revised Code Section 2921.11 and can result in fine and/or imprisonment.
Official form download (current version): https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/publicsafety.ohio.gov/bmv5789.pdf
You can also find it listed on the Ohio BMV Documents & Fees page under Driver License/ID Cards: https://www.bmv.ohio.gov/doc-forms.aspx.
Who Needs the Twenty-Four Hour Affidavit?
According to the Ohio BMV, the form applies to applicants for an initial driver license who are age 21 or older and who failed their first attempt at the maneuverability or road test. Before a second attempt, these drivers must complete an abbreviated adult driver training course if they have not finished a driver training course within the previous 12 months.
The abbreviated course options include:
- 4-hour classroom or online instruction plus 4 hours of behind-the-wheel training with a licensed instructor from an abbreviated adult driver training school, or
- 4-hour classroom or online instruction plus 24 hours of supervised driving with a licensed driver age 21 or older (no more than 4 hours per day).
If you select the 24-hour supervised driving option, you must submit the completed and notarized BMV 5789. If you already completed at least four hours of behind-the-wheel training with a Licensed Ohio Driver Training School in the last 12 months, you may submit a Certificate of Completion instead of Form BMV 5789.
Source: Ohio BMV Driver License requirements.
Key Requirements for the 24 Hours of Supervised Driving
The temporary permit holder must complete a minimum of 24 hours of practice driving with a valid licensed driver. Important rules include:
- No more than 4 hours of practice driving on any single day.
- The supervising driver must hold a valid license.
- Hours may be logged manually on the form’s Supervised Driving Log or electronically via the RoadReady Ohio app.
- The affidavit must be signed and notarized after the first test failure (date of notary must be after the failed attempt).
- Drivers required to submit BMV 5789 cannot schedule the second driving test earlier than 7 days after the first failure.
Bring the notarized form (and certificate of the 4-hour course) to the Driver Examiner for the second test attempt and later to the Deputy Registrar when applying for the driver license after passing.
How to Fill Out Form BMV 5789?
Print the official PDF clearly. Required fields include:
- Name of Temporary Permit Holder
- Temporary Instruction Permit I.D. #
- Address, City, State, ZIP Code
- E-mail Address or Telephone #
- Signature of Temporary Permit Holder and Date
- Notary section (date, county, state, notary signature, seal, and commission expiration)
Page 2 contains the Supervised Driving Log with columns for Date, Supervising Licensed Driver Name, Supervising Adult Driver License # & State, Start & End Time (include AM/PM), and Total Practice Time per Session (Hours and Minutes). Total the hours to confirm at least 24.
Complete the log accurately. The permit holder then appears before a notary, swears to the statement, and signs. Keep a copy for your records.
Using the RoadReady Ohio App as an Alternative to Manual Logging
The Ohio Traffic Safety Office offers the free RoadReady Ohio app for logging supervised practice. It supports both the 50-hour program (for younger drivers) and the 24-hour program for abbreviated adult applicants.
Features include telematics-based hour tracking, performance feedback on braking, acceleration, turning, and speed, and the ability to export a driving report/affidavit once hours are complete. Both the student and supervising driver create linked accounts. Driving time is logged from the supervisor’s phone.
Visit https://roadready.ohio.gov/ for download links (Apple App Store and Google Play) and instructions. The app is optional; a manual log on BMV 5789 remains fully acceptable.
Notarization, Submission, and Important Notes
The form must be notarized. Notaries are commonly available at banks, libraries, UPS stores, or county offices. Present the signed, notarized BMV 5789 along with your Temporary Instruction Permit Identification Card (TIPIC), course certificate, and a vehicle in good condition for the second skills test.
After passing, take the form (if required) to a Deputy Registrar License Agency when purchasing your driver license. Previous revisions of BMV 5789 were accepted only until August 31, 2025; use the current 9/25 version that includes the supervised driving log.
Always verify the latest requirements on the official Ohio BMV website, as rules can be updated.
Download the Official Ohio Form BMV 5789
Download the current official PDF directly from the Ohio Department of Public Safety:
Download Ohio Form BMV 5789 PDF
Related form for comparison: BMV 5791 Fifty-Hour Affidavit (used primarily for younger drivers logging 50 hours).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use hours completed before my first test failure?
The notary date on BMV 5789 must be after the first test failure. Confirm current policy with the BMV or your driver examiner.
What if I already did 4 hours with a licensed instructor?
Provide the Certificate of Completion from a Licensed Ohio Driver Training School instead of BMV 5789.
Is the RoadReady app required?
No. Manual logging on the form is acceptable.
Where can I find approved abbreviated adult schools?
Search the official list via the Ohio Department of Public Safety driver training resources or BMV site.
Conclusion
Ohio Form BMV 5789 — Twenty-Four Hour Affidavit is a straightforward but required document for many adult drivers age 21+ who choose supervised practice after a first driving-test failure. Complete the 4-hour abbreviated course, log a full 24 hours (max 4 per day), fill the form accurately, have it notarized, and present it at your second test. Using the official PDF and the free RoadReady Ohio app helps ensure compliance.
Always rely on primary sources for the most current rules:
This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Contact the Ohio BMV or a licensed driver training school for personalized assistance.