Often, a major barrier to employment is the lack of a driver’s license. And for individuals with a limited income and money owed on reinstatement fees to the BMV, it can be nearly impossible to have a valid driver’s license. Without a valid driver’s license, individuals are forced to choose between losing employment, which creates a host of different problems, or risk being pulled over and charged with a traffic offense that can come with further license suspensions and higher reinstatement fees.
Last year, House Bill 336 was signed into law and created the License Reinstatement Fee Amnesty Initiative, a six-month pilot program granting amnesty and debt reduction on driver’s license reinstatement fees for eligible offenses.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
There are two different paths to a reduction of reinstatement fees on suspensions related to eligible convictions.
Those Who Receive SNAP Benefits (Food Stamps):
- You must complete all court-ordered sanctions related to the eligible offense. This includes the payment of fines but should not include the payment of court costs related to the conviction.
- To prove that you receive SNAP benefits, you must provide a screenshot from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Benefits Self-Service Portal. The screenshot must include the current status, current month, next review date and authorized representatives in the house for SNAP benefits.
Those Who Do Not Receive SNAP Benefits:
- You must complete all court-ordered sanctions related to the eligible offense. This includes the payment of fines but should not include the payment of court costs related to the conviction.
- At least 18 months have expired since the end of the period of suspension ordered by the court.
Those Eligible for Partial Amnesty without Proof of SNAP Benefits:
- If owed reinstatement fees for multiple eligible offenses, you are required to pay either the lowest reinstatement fee owed or 10% of the total, whichever is greater.
- If owed for one eligible offense, you are required to pay half of the reinstatement fee owed for that offense.
WHAT SUSPENSIONS ARE ELIGIBLE?
Driver’s license suspensions due to 25 specific convictions are eligible for the fee amnesty program. For instance, members of the public whose driver’s license was suspended due to convictions for theft, driving without insurance, violations of municipal ordinances or texting and driving, are eligible for the fee amnesty.
Suspensions related to alcohol, drug abuse, or a deadly weapon are not eligible for amnesty or fee reduction. This includes OVI suspensions.
Speaking with an attorney can be beneficial to determine if you qualify for amnesty or debt reduction.
