The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) is your one-stop shop for every driving- and traffic-related task you’ll need to take care of, but if you’re not well-prepared, a trip to the BMV can easily turn into a frustrating experience. Whether you’re renewing your Ohio drivers license or attempting to transfer the title of a vehicle, you’ll have a much easier time at the BMV office if you familiarize yourself with the many services it does (and doesn’t) offer.
Finding Your Local Ohio BMV Office
The state of Ohio makes it incredibly easy to find a BMV location closest to you by posting them all online. Through the BMV website you’ll find a convenient list of all the branch offices in the state of Ohio, broken down by county for ease of use. Make sure to note that certain offices may only take care of specific tasks; for example, you’ll want to go to a Driver Exam Station to take your license tests, while a Deputy Registrar License Agency is the place to get your Ohio drivers license renewed or reinstated.
Appointments at the Ohio BMV
In order to expedite your time spent at a BMV and ensure you don’t waste an entire day on one task, it’s best to schedule an appointment ahead of time. Unfortunately, the BMV only offers appointments for driving tests and salvage title inspections. For your convenience, you have the ability to schedule your driving test appointment online. Additionally, you may be able to forgo the crowds at BMV locations entirely, thanks to the website’s wide array of online services.
Forms of the Ohio BMV
Whatever you’re looking to accomplish at the Ohio BMV, you’re likely going to need to fill out a few forms to complete the process. Ensure you’re not blindsided by a mountain of paperwork by familiarizing yourself with the many forms you’ll be required to complete. An extensive list of forms and paperwork is available on the Ohio BMV website so you can be fully prepared once you’re at a physical BMV branch office.
The Ohio Point System
Like most other states, Ohio employs a driving point system to encourage safe driving and penalize those who accumulate traffic violations in a short period of time. Minor violations such as tailgating can net 2 points, while more serious violations such as driving while under the influence can be as much as 6 points. After obtaining 6 points, the Ohio BMV will send you a warning letter listing the offending violations, and warning you about the 12-point suspension rule. If you accumulate 12 or more points in a 2-year period, you’ll be penalized with a mandatory 6-month suspension of your license. Read the BMV website for more information.
Getting an Ohio Abstract of Driving Record
One way to prevent potential suspension of your Ohio drivers license is to stay on top of your driving record. Ordering an Ohio driving record is easy and can be done by mail, by phone, online, or at any BMV branch office. Knowing just how many points away you are from license suspension (or a warning letter) can be enough to make you drive more carefully for the near future.
