Vehicle Registration

First-Time Issuance

If a vehicle will be driven prior to a title being issued, then a temporary tag can be purchased from any local deputy registrar license agency or online at OPLATES.com.

All registrants must visit a local deputy registrar license agency and sign a proof of Financial Responsibility Statement. See our Mandatory Insurance page to learn more about Ohio’s financial responsibility requirements.

• If leased, a lease agreement and power of attorney documents
  • See the list of leasing companies that have signed up with the Ohio BMV for electronic power of attorney.
• If vehicle is in an E-Check county, E-Check will be required
• For most vehicles 4-25 years old

And the following documents based upon the vehicle type:

Methods for Registration

In person at your local deputy registrar license agency.

Ohio Revised Code: 4501.01

E-Check

Most (or many) vehicles 4 to 25 years old and owned by residents of the following counties must be tested every two years:

• Cuyahoga
• Geauga
• Lake
• Lorain
• Medina
• Portage
• Summit

See the Ohio EPA E-Check homepage for more information.

Multi-Year Registrations

Registrants who live in an E-Check county are eligible for a multi-year registration from two to five years.

• E-Check is still required for qualifying vehicles.
• Registrants with an E-Check extension must comply with the extension requirements.
• E-Check county residents who do not comply with E-Check requirements are subject to registration suspension and plate confiscation.

See our Multi-Year Registration page for more information.

Ohio Revised Code: 3704.14, 4503.10(I)(1)

Ohio Administrative Code: 3745-26-12

Fuel Type Fees

Effective January 1, 2024, Revised Code (R.C.) section 4503.10(C), requires an additional registration fee for the following the following motor vehicles, per registration year:

• Hybrid vehicle - $100
• Plug-in hybrid - $150
• Electric vehicle - $200

The fuel type fee is charged when a qualifying vehicle is registered for the first time, and for all subsequent registration renewals.

Vehicles renewed for multiple years will be charged the fee for each year of the registration period.

Effective October 22, 2020, fuel type fees are prorated based on the number of months for which the vehicle is registered when a transaction is not for a full calendar year.

Hybrid

• A passenger car with a combustion engine and a battery cell energy system that cannot be recharged via an external source of electricity but can be recharged by other vehicle mechanisms that capture and store electric energy.

Plug-in Hybrid

• A passenger car powered in part by a battery cell energy system that can be recharged via an external source of electricity.

Electric

• A passenger car powered wholly by a battery cell energy system that can be recharged via an external source of electricity.

Fuel Type Calculation

• The Ohio BMV utilizes a VIN Decoding Program provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The program identifies the vehicle’s fuel type based upon the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and model year.
• Fuel type fees are charged for vehicles with a model year 2009 or newer.

Self-Declare

• If your vehicle’s fuel type cannot be decoded by NHTSA (fuel type is ‘unknown’) at the time of renewal, you will receive a Fuel Type Required for Vehicle Registration Renewal letter (BMV 4641) notifying you to renew at a local Deputy Registrar or at OPLATES.com to self-declare your vehicle fuel type.
• If your vehicle’s fuel type cannot be decoded by NHTSA (fuel type is ‘unknown’) during a renewal transaction at a deputy registrar, you must complete an Unknown Vehicle Fuel Type Affidavit for Registration (form BMV 4740).

Dispute

• If you believe the fuel type determination is incorrect, you must pay the fee at the time of registration, and may then complete the Dispute of Vehicle Fuel Type for Registration (form BMV 4741) if you wish to dispute the fuel type determination.
• The form and supporting documentation must be mailed to the address on the form. The BMV will review the supporting documents. If the BMV determines that NHTSA’s fuel type was incorrect, a refund will be issued to the registrant named on the vehicle registration. The BMV will notify the registrant by mail of the final decision.
• If the fuel type fee is not paid, the registration will not be issued.

Ohio Revised Code: 4503.10, 4501.01

All-Purpose Vehicles (APV), Off-Road Motorcycles and Snowmobiles

For registration, the following must be presented:

• Ohio certificate of title or memorandum of title (APV and off-road motorcycle only)
• Valid Ohio driver license, state ID or Social Security card
• Approved Document List
• English (BMV 2424)
• Spanish (BMV 2421)
• If APV is primarily for agriculture use, registration is not required.
  • If registered, APV is not valid to operate on public roads.
• Registration is valid for three years and expires on December 31.
• Out-of-state residents can use a valid registration from their state of residence. An Ohio temporary registration is available, valid for one year.

For a temporary tag:

• 45-day temporary tag (APV only)
• 30-day temporary tag (off-road motorcycle only)
• Ohio certificate of title or memorandum of title

Methods for Registration

In person at your deputy registrar license agency.

Ohio Revised Code: 4503.37

Mopeds

A moped, or motorized bicycle, is any vehicle with two tandem wheels or one front and two rear wheels that is capable of being pedaled and equipped with a helper motor.

• Have a piston displacement of more than 50 cubic centimeters
• Produce more than one brake horsepower
• Propel the vehicle at a speed greater than 20 mph on a level surface

Refer to the Digest of Ohio Motor Vehicle Laws for driver license requirements.

Operators must obtain and display a rear license plate.

Methods for Registration

To register a moped or motorized bicycle, please visit a deputy registrar license agency with a completed Motorized Bicycle - Moped Registration Application (form BMV 4510).

Ohio Revised Code: 4501.01 4511.521

Ohio Administrative Code: 4501-23

Motor Scooters

In Ohio, a motor scooter may not be legally operated on public roadways unless it is:

• Titled
• Registered
• Insured
• Operated by a licensed rider at least 16 years old

Methods for Registration

Once a motor scooter is titled in Ohio, go to a deputy registrar license agency to register.

See our How to Title a Motor Vehicle page for information on titling motor scooters.

Ohio Revised Code: 4511.01

Ohio Administrative Code: 5537-1-01

Unconventional Vehicles

Unconventional vehicles include:

• Under-Speed Vehicles (USV)
• Low-Speed Vehicles (LSV)
• Utility Vehicles (UV)
• Mini Trucks (MT)

Most golf carts are a USV.

The authorization to operate these vehicles on public roads is at the discretion of the local authority of the jurisdiction where the vehicle will be operated (see Ohio Revised Code 4511.215). Please contact local law enforcement in your city, township, village, or other jurisdiction for applicable laws.

If you choose to operate your unconventional vehicle on authorized roads, you must first complete the following requirements:

• Obtain a title. See our How to Title a Motor Vehicle page for information on titling these vehicles.
• Under-speed vehicles, utility vehicles, and mini-trucks must pass an equipment inspection conducted by your local law enforcement. See Ohio Administrative Code 4501-30 for more information on equipment requirements for road-use.
• Purchase license plates and vehicle registration.

Methods for Registration

In person at your deputy registrar license agency. The following must be presented:

• Ohio certificate of title or memorandum of title
• Completed vehicle inspection certificate (DPS 1373)
• Valid Ohio driver license, state ID or Social Security card
• Tax ID number if titled in a business name

Ohio Revised Code: 4501.01 4503.10 4511.214 4511.215