The Reinstatement Fee Debt Reduction and Amnesty Program is a permanent program within the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) intended to assist people who cannot afford to pay all their pending reinstatement fees following a driver’s license suspension. Beginning on December 13, 2020, the program provides for eligible individuals to have their driver’s licenses reinstated after suspension by paying reduced reinstatement fees or receiving a complete fee waiver, depending on whether the participant is indigent.
The BMV will automatically enroll any person who is eligible for the program and inform that person through an email or regular mail, eliminating the need to apply. It will be important for those eligible for the program to have a working email address and current mailing address on file.
A person will be enrolled into the program if their driver’s license or permit has been suspended for one or more eligible offenses and at least 18 months have passed since the end of the suspension period. Individuals are eligible for a complete fee waiver if they are indigent or a reduction in reinstatement fees if they are not indigent, meaning they are not participating in the low-income assistance programs such as SNAP, Medicaid, Ohio Works First and others.
Eligible offenses cannot involve alcohol, illegal drugs, or a deadly weapon. A list of eligible offenses can be found here.
Questions? Find out more by calling 1-844-644-6268 or on the BMV website.