Ohio Rev. Code » Chapter 4511
Ohio Revised Code

Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.251 (2026)

Street racing

✓ current as of May 2026
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Effective:
October 24, 2024
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 56 - 135th General Assembly
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(A) As used in this section and section 4510.036 of the Revised Code:

(1) "Street racing" means the operation of two or more vehicles from a point side by side at accelerating speeds in a competitive attempt to out-distance each other or the operation of one or more vehicles over a common selected course, from the same point to the same point, wherein timing is made of the participating vehicles involving competitive accelerations or speeds. The operation of two or more vehicles side by side either at speeds in excess of prima-facie lawful speeds established by divisions (B)(1)(a) to (B)(9) of section 4511.21 of the Revised Code or rapidly accelerating from a common starting point to a speed in excess of such prima-facie lawful speeds shall be prima-facie evidence of street racing.

(2) "Burnout" means a maneuver performed while operating a vehicle whereby the vehicle is kept in a stationary position, but the wheels of the vehicle are spun, which may cause the tires of the vehicle to become heated and emit smoke from the friction.

(3) "Doughnut" means a maneuver performed while operating a vehicle whereby the front or rear of the vehicle is rotated around the opposite set of wheels in a continuous motion, which may cause a circular skid-mark pattern of rubber on the driving surface, or the tires of the vehicle to become heated and emit smoke from the friction, or both.

(4) "Drifting" means a maneuver performed while operating a vehicle whereby the vehicle is driven in a manner that causes a controlled, sideways skid during a turn, with the front wheels pointing in a direction that is the opposite of the direction of the turn.

(5) "Wheelie" means a maneuver performed while operating a vehicle whereby the front wheel or wheels of the vehicle are raised off of the ground or whereby two wheels that are on the same side of the vehicle are raised off of the ground.

(6) "Stunt driving" means performing or engaging in burnouts, doughnuts, drifting, or wheelies, or allowing a passenger to ride either partially or fully outside of the vehicle while operating that vehicle.

(7) "Street takeover" means blocking or impeding the regular flow of vehicle or pedestrian traffic on a public road, street, or highway or on private property that is open to the general public for the purpose of street racing or stunt driving.

(B) No person shall knowingly participate in street racing, stunt driving, or street takeover upon any public road, street, or highway, or on private property that is open to the general public.

(C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of street racing, stunt driving, or street takeover, a misdemeanor of the first degree. In addition to any other sanctions, the court shall suspend the offender's driver's license, commercial driver's license, temporary instruction permit, probationary license, or nonresident operating privilege for not less than thirty days or more than three years. No judge shall suspend the first thirty days of any suspension of an offender's license, permit, or privilege imposed under this division.

(D) Persons rendering assistance in any manner to street racing, stunt driving, or street takeover shall be equally charged as the participants.

(E) This section does not apply to the competitive operation of vehicles on public or private property when the political subdivision with jurisdiction of the location or owner of the property knowingly permits such operation thereon.

Last updated February 24, 2025 at 1:01 PM

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 11 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1960–2026 · leading case: State v. Goodman, 221 N.E.2d 202 (Ohio Ct. App. 1966).
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State v. Goodman, 221 N.E.2d 202 (Ohio Ct. App. 1966). · cites it 32× “This is an appeal by defendant, appellant herein, from his conviction in the County Court for the Eastern District of Columbiana County for a violation of Section 4511.251 of the Revised Code (drag racing).”
State v. Butler, 227 N.E.2d 627 (Ohio 1967). · cites it 3× “Section 4511.251, Revised Code, Drag racing.”
State v. Gundlach, 174 N.E.2d 267 (Ohio Ct. App. 1960). · cites it 22× “304, were arrested on a charge of “drag racing,” under Section 4511.251 (A) and (B), Revised Code of Ohio, tried in the Municipal Court of Medina, and found guilty.”
State v. Collins, 616 N.E.2d 224 (Ohio 1993). “Also, a violation of R.C. 4511.251, drag racing, is a misdemeanor of the first degree, R.”
State v. Hooper, 227 N.E.2d 414 (Ohio Ct. App. 1966). · cites it 2× “This is an appeal on questions of law1 from á judgment entered on a verdict of a jury in the County Court finding defendant, appellant herein, guilty of violating Section 4511.251 of the Revised Code, relating to drag racing.”
State v. Harris, 440 N.E.2d 572 (Ohio Ct. App. 1981). “) The record indicates that on February 24, 1980, defendant was arrested and charged with drag racing in violation of R.C. 4511.251 and having an improper muffler in violation of R.”
State v. Lippi, 187 N.E.2d 52 (Ohio Ct. App. 1962). · cites it 6× “The defendant in this case was charged by affidavit in the Municipal Court of Van Wert with the violation of Section 4511.251, Revised Code, on the 9th day of June 1961.”
State v. Preston, 756 N.E.2d 705 (Ohio Ct. App. 2001). · cites it 4× “03 or rapidly accelerating from a common starting point to a speed in excess of such primafacie lawful speeds shall be prima-facie evidence of speed racing.”
Hines v. Camper, 2012 Ohio 4110 (Ohio Ct. App. 2012). “[or] b: the association with others in a relationship or an enterprise.”
In re C.X.M., 2026 Ohio 2318 (Ohio Ct. App. 2026). · cites it 2× “were charged with the crime of street racing under R.C. 4511.251. C.M. was charged with complicity in committing aggravated vehicular homicide, which only depends on reckless driving, not engaging in what is defined as street racing under R.”
State v. Maravola, 198 N.E.2d 88 (Ohio Ct. App. 1963). · cites it 4× “This appeal on questions of law is from Niles Municipal Court in which the trial judge, jury being waived, found nine defendants guilty of drag racing in violation of Section 4511.251, Revised Code, and imposed penalties therefor.”
Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.251(A): 1 case
In re C.X.M., 2026 Ohio 2318 (Ohio Ct. App. 2026). “were charged with the crime of street racing under R.C. 4511.251. C.M. was charged with complicity in committing aggravated vehicular homicide, which only depends on reckless driving, not engaging in what is defined as street racing under R.”
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