Suspensions & Reinstatements

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.

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.

The permanent Reinstatement Fee Amnesty Program began on December 13, 2020.

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.

1. Drivers must have been issued an Ohio driver license or temporary permit. Current CDL and CDL permit holders are not eligible.
2. 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.
3. 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.

• 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.

1. Drivers must have been issued an Ohio driver license, temporary permit, or ID card. Current CDL and CDL permit holders are not eligible.
2. 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.
3. The driver is indigent and can provide proof of indigence.

Drivers must show proof of participation in one of the following programs:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Medicaid
• Ohio Works First Program
• 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.

Once a record has been approved, the driver will be notified by mail. The notice will include:

• Fees to be reduced
• Outstanding fees
• How to submit proof of insurance to initiate the reduction
• How to submit proof of indigence for a complete waiver

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.

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.

No. CDL drivers are not eligible for Reinstatement Fee Amnesty.

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.

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.

No. Outstanding reinstatement requirements are not considered when determining eligibility for the program.