Jerri Mitchell-Tharp- Jerri Mitchell-Tharp
Ohio BMV's Amnesty Program
One of the most important things for all of us is having the freedom to drive! A license suspension can impact our family, job, and life in general. Ohio's BMV works on a point system. A person is allowed to accumulate up to 12 points in a two year period until their license is automatically suspended. A speeding ticket can range from 0 - 4 points; an OVI is 6 points; street racing is also a 6 point violation. Other offenses result in an automatic suspension, such as OVI, driving without a license, driving without insurance, hit/skip, and many more.
Every time a license is suspended, the BMV adds a reinstatement fee to your license. So in addition to the court costs and fines you pay for an offense, you may have to pay an additional fee to the State. For a lot of people, the reinstatement fees add up to an obscene amount. To address the increase in people who face difficulty getting their license valid, they started the Amnesty Program a couple of years ago.
To see if you qualify, check out their website at https://bmv.ohio.gov/susp-fees-amnesty.aspx
On their site, you can even look up the suspensions and reinstatement fees that are currently pending. Below is taken directly from the BMV's site:
Reinstatement Fee Debt Reduction and Amnesty
The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles has a driver license reinstatement fee debt reduction and amnesty program for people whose driver licenses are suspended for specific violations. Commercial motor vehicle-related violations are not eligible for this program.
How to Apply
Eligible drivers are automatically mailed a notice of enrollment in the amnesty program.
To activate the program and reinstatement fee payment plan, you must submit proof of insurance:
insurance card,
declaration page,
policy, or
other proof that can be verified.
To apply for a complete waiver of fees, you must:
complete the Application for BMV Reinstatement Fee Amnesty Initiative (form BMV 2829)
submit proof of indigence
Proof of insurance, form BMV 2829, and/or proof of indigence may be submitted:
By email: amnesty@dps.ohio.gov
By fax: 1-614-308-5110
In person at a deputy registrar license agency.
NOTE: A service fee may be charged
By mail to: OhioBMV Attn: ALS/Points P.O. Box16521 Columbus, OH 43216-6521
Eligibility
The program only applies to a driver license or permit suspension. It does not apply to a commercial driver license (CDL) or permit suspension.
Drivers do not need to submit an application. A one-time reduction will automatically be applied to any driver record when one or more offenses become eligible.
The BMV will notify eligible drivers by mail and request current proof of insurance to activate the reduction.
Drivers who also provide proof of indigence are eligible for a complete amnesty waiver.
If a driver in the amnesty program has remaining reinstatement fees, they will be placed on a payment plan requiring payment of at least $25 every 30 days.
Eligibility – Phase 1 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.
Eligibility – Phase 2 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.
https://bmv.ohio.gov/susp-fees-amnesty.aspx