There’s no need to throughout the duration of the coronavirus crisis, according to state officials.
A sweeping coronavirus-response bill signed by Gov. Mike DeWine last
month included language that extends all state-issued licenses until
either 90 days after the state’s current declaration of emergency ends,
or until Dec. 1, whichever comes first.
That includes state driver’s licenses and license plates.
So that should mean whenever the current emergency is eventually
lifted, Ohioans will have three months to take care of their expired
licenses and plates.
But some food for thought: Lindsey Bohrer, a
spokeswoman for the Ohio BMV, said Ohioans should consider renewing
their vehicle registrations on their normal schedule. This can be done
on the state BMV website, Oplates.com.
“You do not have to wait for the BMV to re-open to renew your Vehicle
Registration,” she said. “In fact, we strongly encourage customers do so
during their normal renewal period, in order to avoid longer than
normal wait times when we re-open.”
State BMV offices were among
the extensive closures that have been ordered by Ohio Health Department
Director Dr. Amy Acton. DeWine on March 18 announced the closure of all
but five locations, which have been kept open to issue commercial
driver’s licenses used by truck drivers.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine orders 181 BMV locations closed on Wednesday in response to coronavirus
DeWine said five locations will remain open to issue commercial drivers licenses.
DeWine currently is studying rolling back some of the closures, which he’s said will begin on May 1.
So, will the grace period and the online registration option prevent the BMV offices from being overrun when they reopen?
Bohrer said BMV officials are working on a plan to re-open safely while limiting wait times.
https://www.cleveland.com/…/ohioans-will-have-a-grace-perio…