Ohio BMV Fees in Bankruptcy

Has your Ohio driver’s license been suspended after a criminal charge? One thing that many people forget is that you are required to pay a reinstatement fee to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) before you can drive, even if your suspension period is over. Sometimes these fees can run into hundreds of dollars depending on the nature of your offense. If you are also undergoing financial hardship because of work or personal reasons, you may find it hard to pay these fees or your other bills. In some instances, you might be facing bankruptcy or other legal alternatives to manage your debt.

In Ohio, BMV reinstatement fees are a form of debt that can, in fact, be discharged in a bankruptcy. The BMV will need a receipt of a copy of the Petition or Discharge in Bankruptcy. The Bureau will also request a copy of the Schedule of Debts indicating the debts included in the bankruptcy filing. You can read more about discharging these fees in Ohio Revised Code Section 4510.10(G).

Once the BMV has these documents, it will review them and remove the fees included in the bankruptcy from your record. You can file bankruptcy documentation in person at any Reinstatement Center location, or you can mail them to the below address:

Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Attn: Compliance Unit
P.O. Box 16583
Columbus, OH 43216-6583

If you are considering bankruptcy as an option and you are wondering what other types of debts can be discharged, see how an experienced Cleveland bankruptcy attorney can help. Attorney Matt Alden manages our Cleveland office and can be a valuable resource for your questions and needs.

Another thing you should be aware of is that your license will continue to be suspended until the BMV reviews your bankruptcy documents and removes the fees. The sooner you act on providing this documentation to the BMV, the sooner you can drive and get on with your life.

Need Help Reinstating Your License? Contact Our Columbus License Reinstatement Lawyers

If you are facing bankruptcy and wondering what will happen to your driver’s license, you might be wondering how an attorney can help. At Luftman, Heck & Associates, our experienced Columbus traffic lawyers, along with our bankruptcy and consumer law colleagues, can walk you through the process from multiple sides and make sure that you have the defense you need. To contact us, either call (614) 500-3836 or email advice@columbuscriminalattorney.com.