Reinstatement Fee Debt Reduction and Amnesty Program (Ohio)

Reinstatement Fee Debt Reduction and Amnesty Program (Ohio) is sponsored by Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). A permanent program to assist individuals who cannot afford to pay all of the reinstatement fees owed following a driver's license suspension. The program applies to certain types of suspensions not involving alcohol, drugs, or deadly weapons.

Official websites use Ohio. gov Trusted applications are secured by OHID All agencies are closed December 25, 2024, and January 1, 2025. Some agencies will also be closed in the days preceeding.

Please check our list of agencies with limited hours and/or call ahead. All BMV services will be unavailable on Saturday, Dec. 2nd at 5:00pm to Sunday, Dec.

3rd at 7:00am due to scheduled maintenance.

Suspensions & Reinstatements Reinstatement Fees & Amnesty Reinstatement Fees & Amnesty Alcohol & Drug Suspensions View & Pay Reinstatement Fees Fee Debt Reduction & Amnesty Reinstatement Fee Debt Reduction and Amnesty The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles has a driver license reinstatement fee debt reduction and amnesty program for people whose driver licenses are suspended for specific violations.

Commercial motor vehicle-related violations are not eligible for this program. Eligible drivers are automatically mailed a notice of enrollment in the amnesty program. To activate the program and reinstatement fee payment plan, you must submit proof of insurance: other proof that can be verified.

To apply for a complete waiver of fees, you must: complete the Application for BMV Reinstatement Fee Amnesty Initiative (form BMV 2829) submit proof of indigence Proof of insurance, form BMV 2829, and/or proof of indigence may be submitted: By email: amnesty@dps. ohio. gov In person at a deputy registrar license agency .

NOTE: A service fee may be charged The program only applies to a driver license or permit suspension. It does not apply to a commercial driver license (CDL) or permit suspension. Drivers do not need to submit an application.

A one-time reduction will automatically be applied to any driver record when one or more offenses become eligible. The BMV will notify eligible drivers by mail and request current proof of insurance to activate the reduction. Drivers who also provide proof of indigence are eligible for a complete amnesty waiver.

If a driver in the amnesty program has remaining reinstatement fees, they will be placed on a payment plan requiring payment of at least $25 every 30 days. For more information, call us at 1-844-Ohio-BMV or log on to our Chat . Eligible offense(s) must have occurred before September 15, 2020, and 18 months have expired since the end of one of the court ordered suspension.

Applicants may have other active suspensions. CDL or commercial permit holders are not eligible . When enrolled in the amnesty program, additional reinstatement fees or suspensions cannot be added to the plan.

Must show valid proof of insurance. Eligible individuals will automatically go on an amnesty fee payment plan after providing proof of insurance. An individual may be eligible for complete waiver of fees with proof of indigence by showing participation in: SNAP benefits - A SNAP Benefit approval letter or Self Service Portal Benefit Issuance Verification Screen printout.

MEDICAID - Medicaid online account Person History screen print showing eligibility. OHIO WORKS FIRST - Benefit approval letter issued by ODJFS or online Case Summary screen print showing eligibility. US Department of Veteran Affairs Pension Benefits Program - Screenshot of enrollment webpage showing name, benefits, enrollment expiration or renew.

Supplemental Security Income Program- screenshot of enrollment webpage showing name, benefits, enrollment expiration or renew. Individual has not previously participated in phase 1 of the permanent amnesty program. An individual may only be enrolled in the permanent amnesty program once in their lifetime.

Eligible offense(s) must have occurred on or after September 15, 2020, and 18 months have expired since end of at least one court-ordered suspension. Applicants may have other active suspensions. CDL or commercial permit holders are not eligible .

When enrolled in the amnesty program, additional reinstatement fees or suspensions cannot be added to the plan. Must show valid proof of insurance. Eligible individual will automatically go on amnesty fee payment plan upon providing proof of insurance.

An individual may be eligible for complete waiver of fees with proof of indigence by showing participation in: SNAP benefits - A SNAP Benefit approval letter or Self Service Portal Benefit Issuance Verification Screen printout. MEDICAID - Medicaid online account Person History screen print showing eligibility. OHIO WORKS FIRST - Benefit approval letter issued by ODJFS or online Case Summary screen print showing eligibility.

US Department of Veteran Affairs Pension Benefits Program - Screenshot of enrollment webpage showing name, benefits, enrollment expiration or renew. Supplemental Security Income Program- screenshot of enrollment webpage showing name, benefits, enrollment expiration or renew. Individual has not previously participated in phase 1 or phase 2 of amnesty program.

An individual may only be enrolled in the permanent amnesty program once in their lifetime. Frequently Asked Questions For questions not addressed below, please call 844-644-6268, Monday - Friday, 8 a. m.

- 5 p. m. What is the BMV Reinstatement Fee Amnesty Initiative?

The Reinstatement Fee Amnesty Program is a permanent driver license reinstatement fee debt reduction and waiver program for offenders whose driver licenses have been suspended for specific violations. The program only applies to a driver’s license or permit suspension. It does not apply to a commercial driver license or permit suspension.

When did the BMV Reinstatement Fee Amnesty Initiative start? The permanent Reinstatement Fee Amnesty Program began on December 13, 2020. What offenses are eligible for reinstatement fee amnesty?

The BMV will determine an applicant’s eligibility based on the defined permissible qualifying offenses contained in the Ohio Revised Code. Any offenses involving alcohol, drugs, or deadly weapons or associated with an offense of this nature do not qualify . Commercial driver license and commercial temporary permit suspensions do not qualify .

Amnesty is based on when the eligible offense(s) occurred: Phase 1: Drivers who owe fees for at least one eligible offense that occurred before September 15, 2020, will be granted a reduction or waiver for those suspensions under the rules of Phase 1.

Phase 2: Drivers who do not have offenses eligible for Phase 1, but owe fees for eligible offenses occurring on or after September 15, 2020, will receive a reduction or waiver for those suspensions under the rules of Phase 2. What are the eligibility requirements for the reinstatement fee reduction? Drivers must have been issued an Ohio driver license or temporary permit.

Current CDL and CDL permit holders are not eligible. Must owe fees on at least one eligible offense that occurred prior to September 15, 2020, to be eligible for Phase 1, OR at least one eligible offense that occurred on or after September 15, 2020, to be eligible for Phase 2. At least 18 months have passed since the end of the period of the suspension ordered by the court for at least one of the eligible offenses.

 As long as one suspension meets the 18-month requirement, the reduction will be applied to the fees of all eligible offenses. How much will I owe in reinstatement fees after the reduction? If you owe a reinstatement fee for a single offense, you will have to pay half of the fee owed.

If you owe reinstatement fees for multiple offenses, you will have to pay the lowest fee owed or 10% of the total amount owed, whichever is greater. Your eligibility letter will include the reduced fees and total amount owed. What are the eligibility requirements for complete amnesty of reinstatement fees?

Drivers must have been issued an Ohio driver license, temporary permit, or ID card. Current CDL and CDL permit holders are not eligible. Must owe fees on at least one eligible offense that occurred prior to September 15, 2020, to be eligible for Phase 1, OR at least one eligible offense that occurred on or after September 15, 2020, to be eligible for Phase 2.

The driver is indigent and can provide proof of indigence. What can be shown for proof of indigence?

Drivers must show proof of participation in one of the following programs: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Supplemental Security Income Program (SSI) Veteran’s Affairs Pension Benefit Program Drivers receiving benefits through Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services may provide proof by submitting a copy of their case status from the Benefits Self-Service Portal or a county Jobs and Family Services office.

Proof of participation in these programs as well as documentation for SSI and VA benefits should include the driver’s name as an authorized participant and the current status or current month. How will I be notified if I am approved or denied for reinstatement fee amnesty? Once a record has been approved, the driver will be notified by mail.

The notice will include: How to submit proof of insurance to initiate the reduction How to submit proof of indigence for a complete waiver I have not received a notice for the automatic reduction, but I believe I have eligible cases. Can I submit an application for the program? Yes.

In some situations, drivers may have eligible fees, but are not yet eligible for the reduction. A driver who believes they have eligible cases, may submit an application (form BMV 2829) , current proof of insurance, and proof of indigence, if applicable, for review. More information on how to submit is on the application.

Am I eligible if I don’t live in Ohio anymore? If you had an Ohio driver license or permit and owe reinstatement fees on eligible offenses, you will automatically be enrolled in the program. You also may submit proof of indigence for the waiver, if applicable.

Please be sure to update your mailing address on our website , by calling 1-844-Ohio-BMV, or through our Chat . I have a commercial driver license (CDL) and owe reinstatement fees. Can I apply for reinstatement fee amnesty?

No. CDL drivers are not eligible for Reinstatement Fee Amnesty. Can I downgrade my CDL to an operator license and then apply? Yes, but if you downgrade and later want to obtain another CDL, you will be required to start the process over from the beginning and retake all tests.

I have some offenses or suspensions that qualify for reinstatement fee amnesty and some that do not. How will this affect my eligibility? Any suspensions that qualify will be reviewed and considered for a reduction in fees or complete amnesty.

Suspensions that do not qualify will not be reviewed or considered and those reinstatement fees will remain the same. All fees will be included in the payment plan applied to records after amnesty is granted. Do I need to fulfill my other reinstatement requirements to be considered for reinstatement fee amnesty?

No. Outstanding reinstatement requirements are not considered when determining eligibility for the program. Ohio Revised Code: 4510. 102 , 4510.

103 , 4510. 104 Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) Fee Payment Plans The BMV offers a fee payment plan if you have met all reinstatement requirements other than fees owed. The plan allows you to become valid or to retest for a driver license.

To be eligible for the payment plan, you must meet all of the following requirements: You owe at least $150. 00 in reinstatement fees. You have met all other reinstatement requirements.

You are able to show current proof of insurance. You are not under suspension and have no pending suspensions. You are not currently on a court-ordered payment plan.

The payment plan will be canceled if you do not make at least one $25. 00 payment every 30 days or if you become suspended while on the payment plan. To enroll in the payment plan, you must submit: current proof of insurance, an initial $25.

00 payment, and a completed BMV Payment Plan Application (form BMV 1152) . You will receive notice of approval or denial of the payment plan. If you are denied enrollment, your initial $25.

00 application payment will be applied to any outstanding reinstatement fees. You may submit your application, $25. 00 payment and proof of insurance at any deputy registrar license agency , or by mail to: Attn: Revenue Management/Points Please Note: There is an additional $10.

00 service fee if you pay at a Deputy Registrar license agency. If you are eligible for the plan, your license status will be valid, expired, or eligible to retest as long as you continue to make your minimum $25. 00 payment every 30 days.

The rules are: Make a minimum payment of $25. 00 every 30 days. You can make payments as often as you like, but your next payment will be due within 30 days of your last payment, regardless of the frequency of previous payments.

The BMV will not send any bills or payment reminders. Payments made by mail will be considered paid on the date the payment is received. Ohio Revised Code: 4510.

10 Court-Ordered Reinstatement Payment Plan A court can grant a payment plan for Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) reinstatement fees while an individual is under suspension. Payments under a court payment plan will be not less than $50. 00 per month and the court will determine the length of the payment plan.

In order to drive while on a court-ordered reinstatement payment plan, the court must grant limited driving privileges. Ohio Revised Code: 4510. 10 Methods to Pay Your Reinstatement Fees You may view and pay your reinstatement fees online with a credit card.

You may pay your reinstatement fees with cash, check, money order, or credit card at a deputy registrar license agency . There is an additional $10. 00 service fee if you pay at a deputy registrar license agency.

You may pay your reinstatement fees by mail with a check or money order. There is a 7-10 day processing time. Mail fees with your Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) case number or driver license number to: Under Ohio law, reinstatement fees are debt that may be discharged in bankruptcy.

You will need to provide the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) with a copy of the Petition or Discharge in Bankruptcy and a copy of the Schedule of Debts listing the BMV fees included in the bankruptcy. Bankruptcy documentation may be taken to any deputy registrar license agency . There will be an additional service charge if you pay at a deputy registrar license agency.

You can also mail it to: Ohio Revised Code: 4510. 10(G) An SR-22/bond is a minimum-limit liability insurance policy that covers only the individual named on the policy. To file an SR-22/bond, you must contact an insurance company licensed to do business in Ohio, apply and pay for the policy.

The insurance company will then file the SR-22/bond with the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). Many insurance companies file SR-22/bonds electronically, which usually process within 72 hours of receipt. If you live in a different state or move to a different state, you must still file the SR-22/bond if it is a requirement for your Ohio suspension.

The SR-22/bond must be written for the state of Ohio. Insurance companies are required by law to report to the BMV if an SR-22/bond policy is canceled. Ohio Revised Code: 4509.

20 Vehicle Impoundments & Immobilizations Vehicle Impoundments & Immobilizations A court is authorized to order vehicle immobilization and impoundment of your registration and license plates at the time of sentencing for: Driving while under a suspension for operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs (OVI) Driving under a financial responsibility suspension Driving while under a suspension The court can order a waiver to allow another member of the household to drive the vehicle if immobilization of the vehicle will be an undue hardship.

Reinstatement Requirements Serve the court’s immobilization period Ohio Revised Code: 4503. 233 View & Pay Reinstatement Fees Mon - Fri 8 a. m.

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