ODPS Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles Ohio Financial Responsibility Law

To Comply with Financial Responsibility Requirements

Individuals must maintain one of the following to comply with the FR requirements:

• A motorist liability insurance policy.  Insurance cards are issued by an insurer to the policy holder for each motor vehicle insured under a motor vehicle liability insurance policy;
• A $30,000 bond issued by an authorized surety or insurance company;
• A certificate of proof of financial responsibility signed by an insurance agent on a form prescribed by the Ohio BMV;
• A certificate issued by the BMV, after proper application and approval, indicating that money or a government bond in the amount of $30,000 is on deposit with the Ohio Treasurer, Josh Mandel;
• A certificate of bond issued by the BMV, after proper application and approval, in the amount of $30,000 signed by two individuals who own real estate having equity of at least $60,000;
• A certificate of self-insurance issued by the BMV, after proper application and approval, to those with more than 25 motor vehicles registered in their name or a company's name.

Random Verification

Ohio law requires verification of proof of financial responsibility whenever a person is "randomly selected" by the BMV and requested to provide such verification.  This process includes the mailing of letters to a random selection 5% of registered Ohio vehicle and noncommercial truck owners.  Approximately 5,400 notices are generated per week or 280,000 notices annually.

The BMV is required to send written notice by regular mail to the owner of each vehicle randomly selected, informing the owner that proof showing financial responsibility coverage was in effect on the date specified must be submitted within 21 days of the mailing of the notice.  This notification is sent to the person at the person's last known address as shown on the records of the BMV.

The owner may submit evidence to show that the vehicle is exempt because the vehicle:

• Is used on a seasonal basis only and the date specified is out of season for that vehicle;
• Is inoperable and has been out of service for a period of at least 30 days immediately prior to the selection date or;
• Is exempt for any other reason as approved by the Registrar.

The Random Selection Program is administered by a subsidiary office of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles located in Hudson, Ohio.

For this program only, correspondence should be addressed to:
Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 209
Hudson, OH 44236-0209

Call 1-877-315-6605 with questiona.

Verification of Proof of Financial Responsibility

Ohio's FR law requires every applicant for registration of a motor vehicle and every applicant for a driver's license, or the renewal of such license, to sign a statement indicating that the applicant maintains, or has maintained proof of financial responsibility at the time of application, and the applicant will not operate a motor vehicle in Ohio without maintaining proof of financial responsibility.

Proof of financial responsibility is required to be verified under the following circumstances:

• When an individual or a motor vehicle owned by the individual is involved in a motor vehicle accident that results in bodily injury to or death of any individual or more than $400 of property damage and a complaint is filed with the BMV alleging that the driver or owner was uninsured at the time of the accident.  [ + ]

  • The law permits the driver of any motor vehicle "which is in any manner involved" in such an accident to forward, within six months of the accident, a written report to the Registrar alleging that a driver or owner of any other vehicle involved in the accident was uninsured at the time of the accident. The BMV must send notice of the allegation to that driver and owner. Within 30 days after the mailing of the notice, the driver or owner must forward a report and acceptable proof of financial responsibility to the BMV.

• When an individual receives a traffic ticket indicating that proof of the maintenance of financial responsibility was not produced upon the request of a peace officer or State Highway Patrol trooper during the enforcement of Ohio traffic laws or during a motor vehicle inspection.  [ + ]

  • The law permits the driver of any motor vehicle "which is in any manner involved" in such an accident to forward, within six months of the accident, a written report to the Registrar alleging that a driver or owner of any other vehicle involved in the accident was uninsured at the time of the accident. The BMV must send notice of the allegation to that driver and owner. Within 30 days after the mailing of the notice, the driver or owner must forward a report and acceptable proof of financial responsibility to the BMV.

• When an individual is found guilty of a violation of a traffic offense that requires a court appearance.  [ + ]

  • The court must require the individual to verify the existence, at the time of the offense, of proof of financial responsibility covering the individual's operation of the motor vehicle or covering the motor vehicle if registered in the individual's name.

• When an individual is randomly selected by the BMV  [ + ]

  • and requested to provide financial responsibility verification.

Violator Penalties

• Lose driving privileges for a minimum of 90 days and maximun of 2 years;
• License plates and vehicle registration suspension;
• License plate reinstatement fees for first violation, second violation, and third or subsequent violation (There is an additional non-voluntary surrender fee for failing to surrender the license, plates or vehicle registration to the BMV);
• Require filing with the BMV (SR-22 or bond) to continuously maintain proof of financial responsibility for a minimum of 3, up to 5 years from the date of the suspension of operating privileges;
• Vehicle immobilization and confiscation of plates for 30-60 days for violating FR suspension.  Third and subsequent offenses could result in vehicle forfeiture and a 5-year suspension of vehicle registrations.

Driving and registration privileges cannot be restored until all requirements of the suspension have been met.

Limited Driving Privileges

Limited driving privileges may be granted by the court during the term of a first or second non-compliance suspension. During a first-time non-compliance suspension, limited privileges may be granted immediately.

A second non-compliance suspension requires a 15-day waiting period. Privileges will not be granted on a third or subsequent non-compliance suspension.

Individuals must file and maintain insurance with the Bureau in the form of an SR-22 or bond and pay the reinstatement fee to the Bureau before limited privileges may be granted. Some courts may allow the individual to utilize a payment plan for the reinstatement fee.  The individual should apply to the local court having jurisdiction over his/her place of residence, or to the court having jurisdiction over the traffic offense that resulted in the non-compliance suspension.  A court is not required to grant limited privileges and may decline to do so based upon the individual’s driving record and other factors.

Ways to Provide Satisfactory Proof of Financial Responsibility

• Sending a copy (document displaying satisfactory evidence of FR) when paying the fine;
• Bringing FR proof when appearing in traffic court;
• Sending FR proof when requested by the BMV.

Failure to comply with proof of FR will initiate a suspension process through the BMV. Failure to respond to a Notice of Suspension will result in an individual’s driving and registration privileges being suspended, even if the individual was properly insured at the time of the traffic stop.

When Involved In An Automobile Crash

If you are involved in an auto crash without insurance or other FR proof, additional penalties may apply. You may have a security suspension for two years or more and a judgment suspension for an indefinite period until the judgment is settled.

If you are involved in a crash in which any party is injured or property damages exceed $400, you may file a BMV Crash Report (form BMV 3303). This is regardless of who was at fault. You should contact your insurance agent as soon as possible.  This form is not the same as the report taken by law enforcement officers at the crash scene.  In addition, you may file a Crash Report if you know or have reason to believe that the other party was uninsured.

You should have your mechanic document any damage to your vehicle, and your insurance company attest to your insurance coverage. Also supply as much information as you have on the other party such as name, Social Security number, address, driver license number, plate number, make and model of car. Through the vehicle crash report, the Bureau will determine if the other party has insurance. If the other party is not insured, a letter of suspension will be sent to them. Additionally, if the BMV receives a State Crash Report (BMV 3303) that indicates other individuals as being uninsured, and the report also lists personal injury, or property damage in the amount of $400.01 or greater, a security suspension for damages will be placed on all uninsured driver/owner's driving records until a payment agreement or full payment for the damages is made, or until a judgment is received showing the uninsured driver/owner was not at fault in the accident.

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