By Rachel Dissell, The Marshall Project, and Kellie Morris, Cleveland Documenters
Illustrations by John G
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Ohio issued more than 200,000 new driver’s license suspensions in 2022 to people who owe money for failing to pay court fines or child support or not having proof of car insurance — often called debt-related suspensions. Getting a license suspension lifted can be frustrating. The Marshall Project – Cleveland and Signal Cleveland answer some common questions.
How do I find out if my license is suspended?
You can look at your driving record online. You’ll need to enter your birthdate, the last four digits of your Social Security number, your driver’s license number and your first and last name. https://bmvonline.dps.ohio.gov/ You can also call 614-752-7600 or 844-644-6268 to have the information mailed to you.
How is a debt-related driver’s license suspension different from a criminal suspension?
A debt-related suspension is when a person’s driving privileges are taken away because they haven’t paid money owed to a court or to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, or are behind in paying child support. It is different from a suspension that is part of a punishment in a criminal case, such as a drunken- or impaired-driving conviction.
Ohio has dozens of reasons it can suspend or cancel a driver’s license. Some common types of suspensions include:
- Noncompliance suspensions: A driver does not show proof of insurance at a traffic stop or at the time of an accident.
- License forfeiture suspensions: A person is charged with driving-related misdemeanors and doesn’t show up for court or doesn’t pay a court fine.
- Judgment suspensions: A person doesn’t follow a court order to pay for property damage or costs related to a person’s injury caused by use, care or maintenance of a motor vehicle.
- Child support suspensions: A driver doesn’t pay child support or appear in response to a subpoena or warrant for child support issues.
- Security suspensions: Drivers who don’t have insurance and cause a crash that results in more than $400 worth of damage or injury can have their license suspended if the crash report is sent to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
Fines, fees and court costs. What are they, and how do they differ?
There are three main types of payments you might have to make: fines, court costs and fees to reinstate a license. The inability to pay court fines should not prevent you from getting your license back.
- Fines are ordered by the court as a punishment for an offense.
- Court costs pay for the processing of your case
- Reinstatement fees are charged by the state following a suspension in order to restore your legal right to drive.
Is a warrant block different from a license suspension?
They are not the same, but a warrant block can affect your ability to get or renew a license. A warrant block happens when a municipal court sends information about an active arrest warrant to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The BMV “blocks” its offices from issuing a temporary permit, a commercial driver’s license, a regular driver’s license or renewing vehicle registrations. To lift the block, you have to resolve the issues that led to the arrest warrant — such as criminal charges or failing to appear in court — and pay a $15 fee. This fee is in addition to any reinstatement fees.
What if I drive with a suspended license?
If you are caught driving with a suspended license, you can be charged with an additional crime. If found guilty, the sentence is up to six months in jail and up to $1,000 in fines. The suspension of your license can be extended up to one more year.
What happens if my suspended license expires?
You have a six-month grace period to renew a license. You then must get a temporary permit and pass a driver’s test again like a first-time applicant.
How much does it cost to get my license back after a suspension?
Reinstatement fees depend on the type of driver’s license suspension and the number of previous suspensions on your record. They range from $15 to lift a warrant block to $600 or more.
I can’t afford to pay to get my license back. Is there help?
There are a few different options.
- Reduced fees: Many drivers with regular licenses (not commercial licenses) are automatically eligible for reinstatement fees to be reduced. There’s no application. You can only benefit from the fee reduction once in your lifetime. Suspensions related to convictions involving alcohol, drugs or deadly weapons don’t qualify. You also must provide proof that you currently have insurance. The state should mail a letter to the address on your license after your first eligible suspension is complete. It will tell you the amount of the reduction and what you still owe. Suspended drivers saved an average of $612. The remaining fees will be put on a payment plan, which you can set up at any local Bureau of Motor Vehicles office. They will charge you an additional $10. Or fill out this form and mail it to: Ohio BMVAttn: Revenue Management/PointsP.O. Box 16521Columbus, OH 43216
- Waived fees: If you can prove that you are indigent, meaning you cannot afford the payments, you may be able to get the reinstatement fees erased. You can apply to have fees waived more than once. To enroll, provide the Bureau of Motor Vehicles with letters or screenshots that show your name and current participation in:
- The SNAP benefit program
- Ohio Medicaid
- Ohio Works First benefits
- U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Pension Benefits Program
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program
- Community Service: Ohio allows courts to substitute community service hours for reinstatement fees if a court agrees that a person cannot afford to pay. It’s up to each court to offer this option for cases it oversees. Cleveland, Berea and Shaker Heights municipal courts each offer community service hours as an alternative to paying fees. The court will provide you with proof you completed the community service, which you have to provide to BMV when you go to get your license.
- Payment plans: You can sign up for a payment plan with the state Bureau of Motor Vehicles after you have completed all other requirements related to the suspension. Once you are on a payment plan, you can apply for a new license or renew a license. If you don’t make one $25 payment every 30 days or if you get a new suspension, the payment plan will be canceled.
If my license is suspended in more than one place, do I have to pay separately in each place?
If you have multiple suspensions from different courts, you would have an additional $25 fee to resolve the suspension in each additional court.
What are driving privileges? Do I have to pay for them?
You can request limited driving privileges from the court for certain types of license suspensions. Courts charge different amounts for filing these requests. Cleveland charges $50. Cleveland Heights charges $110. Some courts allow you to ask to waive filing fees if you can’t afford them. You can request driving privileges if you:
- Have too many points on your license
- Are on a payment plan to have your license reinstated
- Are serving an administrative suspension following an impaired driving offense
- Had your license suspended for driving without insurance
If I am on a payment plan, can I still drive?
Only if a court grants you driving privileges.
Can I renew my license when it is suspended?
If your license is suspended and about to expire, you can ask the court that suspended your license for an order giving you permission to renew. You have to do this before the license expires. It’s more likely the court will grant permission if you are eligible for driving privileges or have already been granted driving privileges. There will be a fee for filing the request.
I need an ID. What are my options?
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