Reinstating a Driver's License in Ohio

View and pay reinstatement fees online through the Ohio BMV's "View & Pay Reinstatement Fees" service (credit card), at a deputy registrar license agency (cash, check, money order or credit card; $10.00 service fee), or by mail with a check or money order noting your BMV case number or driver license number to Ohio BMV, Attn: REFEE, P.O. Box 16520, Columbus, OH 43216 (allow 7 to 10 days). If you owe at least $150.00 in reinstatement fees, have met all other requirements, have current proof of insurance and no active or pending suspensions, you can apply for a BMV payment plan (form BMV 1152) with a $25.00 initial payment and at least $25.00 every 30 days. Some drivers may qualify for reduced or waived fees under the reinstatement fee amnesty program.

Grounds include 12 or more points in two years (six-month class D suspension), an OVI conviction (court suspension of one to three years for a first offense), and refusing or failing a chemical test (administrative suspension). Driving during a 12-point suspension is a first-degree misdemeanor with a minimum of three days in jail. After a suspension ends, the BMV returns or reissues the license once the driver meets the reinstatement requirements in Ohio Rev. Code § 4510.038.

For an OVI suspension, the court may grant limited driving privileges under Ohio Rev. Code §§ 4510.021 and 4510.13, and for a first-time offender may grant unlimited driving privileges with an ignition interlock device.