CLEVELAND, Ohio —If you have a suspended license and can’t pay the reinstatement fees required by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, now is your opportunity.

  • The amnesty initiative waives or reduces license reinstatement fees for drivers whose licenses were previously suspended
  • More than 80,000 drivers have taken advantage of the amnesty program
  • The deadline to apply for the program is December 31

The BMV has a Reinstatement Fee Amnesty Initiative underway this year to reduce fees and waivers for drivers whose licenses have previously been suspended.

More than 80,000 drivers have taken advantage of the amnesty program.

“I think what we’ve found as part of the pilot, is that most people who have outstanding fees have multiple cases and this is something that snowballs on them and they are unable to get out from under,” said Charles Norman, registrar for the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. 

“So, getting these folks back on the road legally driving insured is really contributing to society and the economy, making sure we remove that barrier to employment and get folks back on the road.”

Spectrum News 1 caught up with a few people at the BMV in Elyria, who think the amnesty initiative is a great idea.

“People need a chance and sometimes these fees are so high that people can’t afford to pay their reinstatement fees, so the fact that they are giving people a chance to do things legal, and that’s what you want, that’s the whole goal, is to be able to do things legal is a great idea,” said Rochelle Ensley, Elyria resident.

“I think it’s a good idea to help people get back on their feet, ya know, if they’ve done what they’ve needed to do for their pennance, I think it’s a good idea,” said Jerry Scrivens, Elyria resident. 

For drivers who need a little more financial help, there's an installment plan. 

“The BMV has a payment plan, so even if they get their fees waived, part of their fees waived and they still have an outstanding amount they can sign up with us for a payment plan… it’s $50 a month,” said Norman.

For more information on the amnesty initiative, you can visit the Ohio BMV website.

The deadline to apply is December 31, so there are only a few more days to take advantage of the program.