Ohio
Ohio lawmakers eye change at the BMV. How it affects your driver’s license. What to know
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Going to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles to renew your driver’s license can be a pain: The lines, the eye test, the notoriously bad photo that you’re stuck with for years.
Imagine visiting the BMV after your license has already expired. That can happen if you’re not paying attention, because under current state law the BMV doesn’t notify you that your license is up for renewal until after the expiration date has passed.
Two Ohio lawmakers want to change that. Here’s a look at what their bill, recently approved by the Ohio House of Representatives, would do.
Ohio bill would change when you are notified to renew your driver’s license by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles
House Bill 258, sponsored by State Reps. Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) and Kellie Deeter (R-Norwalk), would change the Registrar of Motor Vehicles’ license renewal process by electronically notifying Ohioans to renew their licenses no less than 15 days before they expire.
Currently, Ohioans are notified by mail that their license has expired after the expiration date has already passed. The bill would create the option for state residents to be electronically reminded of their upcoming license renewal in advance and potentially reduce the mailing costs for the BMV to send expiration notices.
“By allowing drivers to receive timely reminders before their licenses expire, instead of after, we can promote compliance, enhance road safety, and reduce administrative burdens,” Mathews said in a press release. “This bill, originally brought forward by constituents, modernizes the notification process for the BMV and assists Ohioans in ensuring they maintain a valid, useable ID.”
Deeter said the bill could help prevent voters — especially older adults — from being turned away at the polls due to expired IDs.
“This simple modernization helps Ohioans stay current, prevents avoidable barriers, and ensures that everyone, from young professionals to aging parents, can more easily stay in compliance,” she said in the release.
House Bill 258 now goes to the Senate for consideration.