Suspensions & Reinstatements
Other Suspensions
Points
12-Point Suspension
A 12-point suspension is when someone receives 12 or more points on their driving record within a two-year period.
Reinstatement Requirements
- Serve six-month suspension
- Complete a remedial driving course
- File a certificate of insurance (SR-22/bond)
- Pay a reinstatement fee
- Retake complete driver license exam
Ohio Revised Code: 4510.037 4510.038
Six-Point Warning Letter
The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) sends out warning letters when six points are accumulated on a driving record within a two-year period. The warning letter lists the violations with the number of points for each. The BMV mails the letter to the address on file for the driver. For reference, the letter includes reinstatement requirements for a 12-point suspension.
Ohio Revised Code: 4510.037 (A)
Other Suspensions
Child Support Suspension
A child support enforcement agency can suspend a license for failure to pay on a child support order or failure to answer to a warrant or subpoena for child support issues. The suspension will remain active until all requirements are met.
Reinstatement Requirements
- Contact the child support enforcement agency and satisfy any requirements. The child support agency will then electronically release the suspension with the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).
- Pay a reinstatement fee due to the BMV.
Ohio Revised Code: 3123.58
Other Suspensions
Medical Suspension
If the Registrar finds a driver unable to safely operate a vehicle due to a mental or physical condition, a driver license or temporary permit will not be issued to or retained by the individual.
Ohio Revised Code Section 4507.20 allows the Registrar of Motor Vehicles to require a driver to submit a medical statement and/or take a driver license examination upon receiving information giving “good cause to believe” the driver is incapable of safely operating a motor vehicle. The Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) will initiate action on a driver upon disclosure of a medical condition by the driver them self, or a request for recertification received from a law enforcement agency, court, or physician.
The Bureau will accept written and signed requests submitted by a relative, friend, neighbor, etc. The submitted request cannot be solely based on age and requires an investigation by the BMV to determine if there is sufficient cause to require a medical statement and/or driver license examination. If this course of action is initiated, the driver who is the subject of review must be informed of the source of the inquiry. Therefore, we must receive permission to use the letter writer’s name as our source of information.
Reinstatement Requirements
This suspension will stand until the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) receives an acceptable Request for Statement of Physician (form BMV 2310) or until required exams are passed.
Ohio Revised Code: 4507.08
Other Suspension Information
License Cancellation
Altered
A driver license or identification card may be canceled if the Ohio BMV has knowledge it was obtained fraudulently or unlawfully, issued in error, altered or willfully destroyed.
Reinstatement Requirements
- Retake complete driver license exam
Ohio Revised Code: 4507.19
Co-Signer
The co-signer of a temporary instruction permit or driver license for a minor under age 18 can surrender the minor’s license or temporary instruction permit and request it be canceled.
Reinstatement Requirements
If a new co-signer is available, a new driver license or temporary instruction permit may be issued with no test requirement. If the temporary instruction permit or driver license are not expired, only a deputy fee will be charged.
To request a transfer of co-signer, the minor and the new co-signer must be present at the deputy registrar license agency. The original co-signer does not need to be present.
The applicant must retake the complete driver license exam if:
- The same individual who requested the cancellation co-signs for a new license
- The driver license or temporary instruction permit expired
- He or she is now age 18 or older
Ohio Revised Code: 4507.07
Court-Ordered
A court may cancel the driver license of an individual as part of sentencing for any offense.
Reinstatement Requirements
- Retake complete driver license exam
Fraudulent Issuance
The registrar may cancel a driver license or state-issued identification card if he or she receives evidence that the applicant knowingly gave false information on his or her application.
Reinstatement Requirements
- Wait 60 days after cancellation
- If driver license was canceled, retake complete driver license exam
- If a commercial driver license was canceled, pay a reinstatement fee
Ohio Administrative Code: 4501:1-1-29
Holder of Driver License and ID Card
In Ohio, an individual may not hold an Ohio driver license and state identification (ID) card at the same time. Having a permanent ID card issued will cancel a driver license.
Reinstatement Requirements
- Retake complete driver license exam
Ohio Revised Code: 4507.50
Voluntary Surrender
An individual may choose to surrender his or her license. Upon receipt by the Ohio BMV, the license will be canceled.
Reinstatement Requirements
- Retake complete driver license exam
Ohio Administrative Code: 4501:1-206
Other Suspensions
Violation of Restriction Suspension
A violation of restriction suspension is established when a driver has violated a license restriction such as not wearing corrective lenses, using mechanical control devices as required, operating a motorcycle without an endorsement, or disregarding a daylight driving only restriction, etc.
Reinstatement Requirements
- Serve six-month suspension
- Pay a reinstatement fee
Ohio Revised Code: 4507.14
Other Suspension Information
Permanent Revocation
A permanent revocation means an individual’s privilege to obtain a driver license has been withdrawn permanently by the court.
The court may issue a permanent revocation if an individual is convicted of aggravated vehicular homicide, vehicular homicide or vehicular manslaughter. Other serious offenses also may result in permanent revocation.
Reinstatement Requirements
The individual must file a motion with the sentencing court for modification or termination of the suspension.