MORE than 400,000 drivers have had license suspensions removed after a US state scrapped a controversial policy.
Under new legislation, officials can no longer yank licenses for several offenses that have nothing to do with driving.
A new law ends suspensions tied to infractions unrelated to actual driving (stock image)[/caption]
Previously, drivers had their licenses suspended over unpaid court fees and minor infractions unrelated to driving.
That included failing to pay child support or show proof of insurance, school truancy, and non-driving drug offenses.
But a new law in Ohio bans license suspension for many of those types of issues.
House Bill 29 eliminates certain debt-related license suspensions, waives reinstatement fees, and reduces penalties that plagued low-income Ohioans, backers say.
It was passed to help people return to work and daily life without being trapped in a cycle of debt.
The changes took effect statewide on May 9, one month after the law was officially enacted.
As of this week, suspensions have been lifted for 429,501 Ohioans under the new law.
The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles has also forgiven over $8.3 million in reinstatement fees.
Over 201,000 residents were notified about being eligible to have their driving privileges restored.
“This bill is helping people drive legally again, return to work, and regain stability,” said Senator Catherine Ingram.
“These aren’t just numbers. These are lives of workers, parents, and students who now have one less barrier standing in their way.”
Ingram, a Democrat from Cincinnati, co-sponsored the bill with Republican Senator Louis W. Blessing III.
It’s important to note that the law doesn’t apply to drug offenses where a vehicle was used during the commission of the crime.
And for drivers whose licenses were suspended over child support, they must prove the suspension prevents them from making support payments in order to apply for limited driving privileges.
Officials urge residents to keep their information updated with the BMV.
This allows the bureau to notify you if you are eligible for reinstatement.
Ohio is now the 25th state to back away from suspensions over debt-related issues.
It comes after a 2022 Legal Aid Society report revealed 60% of Ohio license suspensions were unrelated to dangerous driving.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio praised the shift in policy.
What to Know: Ohio License Suspension Reform
- 429,501 drivers had suspensions or blocks removed
- $8.3 million in reinstatement fees forgiven
- Law ends suspensions for unpaid court fines and minor non-driving offenses
- Drug-related driving offenses still excluded
- Child support defaulters may request limited privileges if license loss blocks payment
- 60% of Ohio suspensions were for non-driving reasons, per Legal Aid Society
- Ohio is now the 25th state to end debt-based license suspensions
- Drivers urged to update BMV info to receive eligibility alerts
Source: Ohio State
