2001 BMV News

1.4 Million Ohioans Registered To Be Organ Donors In 2000

COLUMBUS, OH (January 25, 2001) - In 2000, more than 1.4 million Ohioans registered to become organ donors through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).

Last year, the BMV issued over 3 million driver licenses and 306,912 identification cards. When Ohioans go to get their licenses issued, whether it’s for the first time or for a renewal, clerks at licensing agencies ask if they would like to be an organ donor.

"Ohioans have historically been generous people," said Lt. Governor Maureen O’Connor, Director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. "I hope the attention focused on the Organ Donor Registry will make more Ohioans willing to register."

In 2000, a total of 44.4 percent of Ohioans registered to be organ donors through the BMV. A total of 44 percent of those issued driver licenses and ID cards registered to be organ donors in 1999.

By July 1, 2002, the BMV will house the Organ Donor Registry. The BMV and the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) are required to develop and maintain the registry, which will identify certain individuals who have specified through their license or ID card of their intentions on becoming an anatomical donor. The registry will give final consideration to the donor.

Ohioans renew their licenses and ID cards every four years.

The following is a statistical breakdown of organ donors by county, by driver license issuance, and by photo ID issuance:

	DRIVER LICENSE			PHOTO ID
COUNTY	ISSUED	# DONORS	% DONORS	ISSUED	# DONORS	% DONORS
ADAMS	7,352	2,657	36.10	452	114	25.20
ALLEN	28,690	12,153	42.30	2,982	831	27.80
ASHLAND	13,208	6,893	52.10	726	280	38.50
ASHTABULA	27,843	13,630	48.90	2,571	806	31.30
ATHENS	14,464	6,602	45.60	968	322	33.20
AUGLAIZE	12,726	5,776	45.30	741	261	35.20
BELMONT	18,273	6,536	35.70	1,405	342	24.30
BROWN	11,372	4,132	36.30	682	200	29.30
BUTLER	85,114	43,843	51.50	7,763	2,722	35.00
CARROLL	7,391	2,987	40.40	370	103	27.80
CHAMPAIGN	10,726	5,168	48.10	678	232	34.20
CLARK	37,937	15,677	41.30	3,857	955	24.70
CLERMONT	47,870	22,188	46.30	3,108	1,079	34.70
CLINTON	10,719	4,963	46.30	876	238	27.10
COLUMBIANA	29,552	13,264	44.80	2,116	736	34.70
COSHOCTON	8,837	4,112	46.50	569	206	36.20
CRAWFORD	12,094	5,994	49.50	849	295	34.70
CUYAHOGA	362,770	153,760	42.30	54,145	10,748	19.80
DARKE	13,987	5,421	38.70	793	160	20.10
DEFIANCE	10,635	5,935	55.80	624	254	40.70
DELAWARE	27,685	14,773	53.30	1,218	402	33.00
ERIE	21,963	12,295	55.90	2,055	820	39.90
FAIRFIELD	32,270	16,935	52.40	2,026	806	39.70
FAYETTE	9,150	3,240	35.40	985	212	21.50
FRANKLIN	306,013	144,574	47.20	38,582	10,304	26.70
FULTON	11,484	5,978	52.00	525	192	36.50
GALLIA	7,799	2,622	33.60	489	128	26.10
GEAUGA	22,109	12,490	56.40	1,072	349	32.50
GREENE	37,380	16,128	43.10	2,441	719	29.40
GUERNSEY	10,173	4,626	45.40	874	317	36.20
HAMILTON	237,830	109,967	46.20	37,268	8,323	22.30
HANCOCK	19,732	10,782	54.60	1,179	500	42.40
HARDIN	6,999	2,690	38.40	550	142	25.80
HARRISON	3,874	1,510	38.90	200	57	28.50
HENRY	7,556	3,768	49.80	378	154	40.70
HIGHLAND	10,900	4,703	43.10	710	258	36.30
HOCKING	6,969	2,464	35.30	452	85	18.80
HOLMES	5,934	2,911	49.00	584	118	20.20
HURON	15,651	8,244	52.60	1,264	497	39.30
JACKSON	7,981	2,631	32.90	528	144	27.20
JEFFERSON	19,097	6,938	36.30	1,495	386	25.80
KNOX	13,286	7,252	54.50	622	233	37.40
LAKE	63,658	34,055	53.40	4,000	1,482	37.00
LAWRENCE	16,986	6,014	35.40	1,102	282	25.50
LICKING	38,721	20,059	51.80	2,918	1,201	41.10
LOGAN	11,865	5,646	47.50	784	305	38.90
LORAIN	74,634	31,765	42.50	7,586	1,710	22.50
LUCAS	127,734	58,904	46.10	15,342	4,080	26.50
MADISON	9,225	4,612	49.90	519	194	37.30
MAHONING	67,226	25,834	38.40	6,581	1,566	23.70
MARION	16,511	7,363	44.50	1,751	588	33.50
MEDINA	40,518	22,191	54.70	2,118	878	41.40
MEIGS	5,752	2,226	38.60	339	106	31.20
MERCER	10,279	4,893	47.60	544	214	39.30
MIAMI	27,105	12,326	45.40	1,882	578	30.70
MONROE	3,617	1,462	40.40	160	49	30.60
MONTGOMERY	49,133	61,775	41.40	18,942	4,281	22.60
MORGAN	3,603	1,501	41.60	196	51	26.00
MORROW	8,669	4,193	48.30	457	186	40.70
MUSKINGUM	21,429	10,392	48.40	1,594	563	35.30
NOBLE	3,064	1,417	46.20	139	57	41.00
OTTAWA	11,478	5,502	47.90	700	200	28.50
PAULDING	5,412	2,674	49.40	240	90	37.50
PERRY	7,986	3,292	41.20	573	163	28.40
PICKAWAY	11,356	4,719	41.50	656	188	28.60
PIKE	6,714	2,120	31.50	512	128	25.00
PORTAGE	38,710	18,336	47.30	2,930	1,028	35.00
PREBLE	11,674	4,703	40.20	562	160	28.40
PUTNAM	9,132	5,065	55.40	417	165	39.50
RICHLAND	34,418	17,119	49.70	3,084	1,032	33.40
ROSS	18,299	6,900	37.70	1,317	449	34.00
SANDUSKY	16,090	7,367	45.70	1,216	368	30.20
SCIOTO	20,758	7,091	34.10	2,217	535	24.10
SENECA	15,239	7,461	48.90	1,239	304	24.50
SHELBY	12,393	6,114	49.30	1,017	386	37.90
STARK	98,581	48,153	48.80	9,614	2,945	30.60
SUMMIT	144,138	74,312	51.50	15,979	5,330	33.30
TRUMBULL	60,684	25,839	42.50	5,113	1,603	31.30
TUSCARAWAS	23,223	11,943	51.40	2,057	641	31.10
UNION	10,409	4,705	45.20	560	162	28.90
VANWERT	7,863	3,395	43.10	351	123	35.00
VINTON	3,014	952	31.50	163	26	15.90
WARREN	41,334	21,647	52.30	2,136	803	37.50
WASHINGTON	16,883	6,420	38.00	964	197	20.40
WAYNE	27,484	12,826	46.60	1,912	610	31.90
WILLIAMS	10,324	5,711	55.30	590	258	43.70
WOOD	30,012	16,976	56.50	1,787	757	42.30
WYANDOT	5,956	2,967	49.80	280	113	40.30
TOTAL	3,012,690	1,390,149	46.10	306,912	83,165	27.00

BMV Launches OPLATES

During his State of the State Address in January 2000, Governor Bob Taft promised online vehicle registration would be available to Ohioans by January 2001. Governor Taft’s promise has been met with OPLATES.

As of the kick-off event on December 12, over 22,000 vehicle registrations had been renewed through the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicle’s (BMV) online vehicle registration and touch-tone telephone service. Online testing began in mid-October and ran through December 12.

Ohioans can access this system by logging onto www.OPLATES.com or by calling toll-free 1-866-OPLATES. OPLATES is designed to provide quick, easy and convenient access to those who need to renew their vehicle registrations or would like to order specialty plates.

You can use OPLATES if:

Your vehicle is currently registered in Ohio;
Your vehicle cannot be leased;
The BMV has your current address on file;
Your registration is within 90 days of the expiration date or has not been expired for more than six months;
No additional documents, such as power of attorney or letters from organizations, are required to be submitted with your registration renewal;
You live in an e-check county. However, the BMV recommends waiting 24 hours to allow the information to be transferred.

To use the service, please have the last four digits of your social security number or tax identification number, the license plate number, and also a valid credit card available. OPLATES takes Master Card, Visa, American Express and Discover cards. Transactions on OPLATES are secure.

If you have a problem while using OPLATES, a call center is available from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and also 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. A frequently asked questions (FAQ) screen is also available on www.OPLATES.com.

There is a transaction fee to use OPLATES. The $2.25 fee is the same as going to the Deputy Registrar or sending the renewal through the mail.

Unfortunately at this time, leased vehicles cannot be renewed online. Ohioans who lease their vehicle must produce power of attorney documents when they renew. Allowing people to change their address online is also unavailable at this time. The BMV hopes to add these two services and more in the future.

We encourage Ohioans to use OPLATES. Also we encourage Ohioans to fill out the survey after the process is complete. The surveys are closely monitored to see how the BMV can improve services which will benefit Ohio motorists.

The BMV is thrilled to offer OPLATES to our customers. We hope you find the site to be as quick, convenient and easy as it was designed to be.

Financial Responsibility Study Committee Meeting To Review Programs In Other States

WHAT: Financial Responsibility Study Committee Meeting

WHEN: Wednesday, February 28^th, 2001, 8:30 a.m.

WHERE: Vern Riffe Center, 77 South High Street, 31^st Floor – South B and C, Columbus

WHO: Lt. Governor Maureen O’Connor, Director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety;
J. Lee Covington II, Director of the Ohio Department of Insurance; and
Financial Responsibility Study Committee members

The Financial Responsibility Study Committee is comprised of eight members including Lt. Governor Maureen O’Connor, Director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS) and J. Lee Covington II, Director of the Ohio Department of Insurance (ODI). Members of the committee are expected to review programs in other states.

The committee is to have a comprehensive report including findings and recommendations completed by September 2001. The findings will be submitted to the Governor, the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, the Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives and the President of the Ohio Senate. The Chairperson of the Insurance and Transportation committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate will also receive the report.

BMV Eliminates Additional Fee For All Military Plates

COLUMBUS, OH (February 12, 2001) – Beginning today, the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) will waive its $10 additional fee for the remaining military plates including; the Ohio National Guard, U.S. Armed Forces Reserves, U.S. Armed Forces Retiree or honorably discharged veteran, and Pearl Harbor.

"By eliminating the $10 fee, we are honoring those who have served and continue to serve our country," said Lt. Governor Maureen O’Connor, Director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety.

Ohioans who wish to purchase military plates for the first time must show they are in good standing by issuing proper discharge papers or a letter from their commanding officer. The military license plates can be issued to passenger vehicles, non-commercial trucks, motor homes, house vehicles and non-commercial trailers.

The elimination of the $10 fee was made possible with the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 232, sponsored by Senator W. Scott Oelslager (R-29). Also included in SB 232, a section which allows Purple Heart recipients to obtain Purple Heart license plates for any vehicle they own. Governor Bob Taft signed the bill into law in November.

Previous legislation waived the fees for plates featuring Grenada, Vietnam, WWI, WWII, Persian Gulf, Panama, Lebanon, Korea, POW, Purple Heart recipient and disabled veteran.

The Marine Corp League is not included in the eliminated fee because it is considered an organizational plate, not a military plate.

Report Outlines Success of Graduated Driver License Program

COLUMBUS, OH (February 5, 2001) – A report released by the Ohio Department of Public Safety evaluates, for the first time, the progress of Ohio’s Graduated Driver License law. Report researchers estimate the law has saved 30 lives since being enacted in 1998.

"The law was designed to improve the skills of novice drivers by requiring additional training and experience," said Lt. Governor Maureen O’Connor, Director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. "According to this initial report, fewer 16 and 17-year-olds licensed under the new Graduated Driver License law were involved in fatal crashes, and fewer were involved in crashes involving alcohol use."

In addition to reducing the overall death rate, the driver license suspension rate of young drivers increased by 261 percent.

Ohio’s Graduated Driver License law, modeled after the standard developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, includes the following components:

A curfew for driver license holders under age seventeen, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian;
24 hours of classroom instruction;
Eight hours of behind-the-wheel training with a certified instructor;
50 hours of driving time with a parent or guardian;
A limit to the number of occupants permitted to drive with novice drivers; and
Requirement to wear safety belts.

The GDL law, which went into effect on January 1, 1998, was prompted by statistics that showed that although teens constituted a small percentage of Ohio’s driving population; they represented a disproportionately high rate of drivers involved in traffic crashes.

Understanding Ohio's Financial Responsibility Law

In Ohio, it is illegal to drive any motor vehicle without insurance or other financial responsibility coverage. It is also illegal for any motor vehicle owner to allow anyone else to drive their vehicle without financial responsibility coverage.

Liability insurance pays damages caused by one party and suffered by the other party for personal injury, death or property damage. Ohioans need coverage of at least $12,500 bodily injury for two or more persons and $7,500 property damage. Motorists should check with their insurance agent to see if they have the proper coverage.

Motor vehicle owners and drivers are required to show proof of financial responsibility when stopped by a law enforcement officer for a moving violation and during a vehicle safety inspection stop. Also, proof of insurance is required at the time of a court appearance for a moving violation and if asked to by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) in conjunction with their random verification program.

Proof of financial responsibility can be demonstrated in the following ways:

Policy;

Insurance identification cards;

Surety bond of $30,000 issued by any authorized surety company;

BMV bond secured by real estate having equity of at least $60,000;

BMV certificate for money or government bonds in the amount of $30,000 on deposit with the Ohio Treasurer of State;

BMV certificate of self-insurance available only to companies or persons who own at least 26 motor vehicles.

Violating the financial responsibility law can result in stiff penalties. Any driver or vehicle owner who fails to show financial coverage will lose his or her operator license for 90 days on the first offense. If the driver has prior offenses, he or she will lose their operator license for one year. During license suspension, the driver or vehicle owner will also lose his or her license plates.

Drivers who violate the law will also have to pay reinstatement fees of $75 for a first offense, $250 for a second offense and $500 for any additional offense. There is a $50 penalty for any failure to surrender his or her driver license, license plates or vehicle registration. The driver will also be required to maintain special financial responsibility coverage, either high-risk insurance or the equivalent, on file with the BMV for five years.

Any driver who is suspended and violates the suspension will have his or her vehicle immobilized. Also, his or her license plates will be confiscated for at least 30 days for the first offense and 60 days for the second offense.

For third or subsequent offenses the vehicle will be forfeited and sold. The vehicle owner will not be permitted to register any motor vehicle in Ohio for five years. These penalties are in addition to any fines or penalties imposed by a court of law.

BMV Adds Four IRP Locations

COLUMBUS, OH (March 13, 2001) – The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) has added four additional full-service International Registration Plan (IRP) locations for this year’s registration season. IRP is the method used to register commercial trucks traveling interstate. The four new sites located in Cambridge, Canton, Cincinnati and Findlay will assist in processing applications, issuing apportioned plates, accepting payments on renewals and supplemental invoices.

IRP offices determine the amount owed for each commercial vehicle registration based on the miles each truck travels in each state. The money is paid to the IRP Center and the BMV then distributes the funds to each state.

"We believe the additional locations will prove to be more convenient and time saving," said Lt. Governor Maureen O’Connor, Director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. "We continue to research other measures for future improvements."

The new branch locations will help alleviate lines at the main IRP center in Hilliard during registration season, which runs from March through May.

Last year, the BMV offered customers two locations in Medina and Lebanon. This year’s opening of four new full service locations, one in each quadrant of the state, is consistent with the BMV’s customer service initiatives.

The new locations are expected to be operational by the end of the month. If IRP customers have any questions they may call the Processing Center’s toll free number, 1-800-477-0007 for more information.

BMV Adds Two More Services To OPLATES.com

COLUMBUS, OH (March 1, 2001) – The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) has added two more services to its online vehicle registration site, OPLATES.com. Beginning today, Ohio motorists can update their addresses, as well as purchase replacement registrations, stickers and plates online.

"Those Ohioans who have used OPLATES for vehicle renewals have expressed ideas they would like the BMV to implement, including address changes and purchasing replacements," said Lt. Governor Maureen O’Connor, Director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS). "This is an example of our ongoing efforts to maximize the services available through OPLATES."

Motorists who have moved can now log onto www.OPLATES.com and change their address prior to renewing their vehicle registration. Previously, if a person’s current address was not on file with the BMV, that person could not register through OPLATES. Ohioans who do not need to renew their vehicle registration may also use this service to update their address. There is no charge for this service.

Ohioans whose registrations, stickers or plates are lost, stolen or damaged may also use OPLATES.com to order duplicates. To order duplicates, a person needs the last four numbers of his or her social security number and the plate number. Motorists can use MasterCard, Visa, American Express or Discover to pay for the purchase. The transaction includes a $2.25 Deputy Registrar fee, as well as fees set forth by the Ohio Revised Code.

The BMV began testing OPLATES in October and officially announced the service in December. Since testing began, over 65,000 registrations have been renewed through the online site and the touch-tone telephone system

100,000 Vehicles Registered Through OPLATES

COLUMBUS, OH (April 30, 2001) – On Sunday, the 100,000^th transaction through the Bureau of Motor Vehicle’s (BMV) electronic registration site called OPLATES took place. Ohioans who need to renew their vehicle can log onto www.OPLATES.com or call toll free 1-866-OPLATES (1-866-675-2837). Ohioans can also order replacement plates, stickers or registrations in case theirs have been lost, damaged or stolen.

"OPLATES has been a big success for the state of Ohio," said Lt. Governor Maureen O’Connor, Director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. "The people who have used OPLATES have had great things to say about the service and we are continuing to add more services based on customer comments."

Almost a third of all OPLATES visitors have completed the end-of-transaction online survey. Ninety percent of Ohioans say they will use the service to renew next year.

The BMV uses the comment section to gage what customers want to see added to the site, such as renewals for leased vehicles. The BMV has plans to add renewals for leased vehicles and fleet registrations by the end of the year.

"We are very pleased with the responses we have received from the public," said Frank Caltrider, Registrar of Motor Vehicles. "We fully plan to continue to make improvements as a customer service to all Ohioans."

Testing on OPLATES began in October 2000. OPLATES officially kicked off in December 2000. Ohioans can also update their addresses by logging onto www.OPLATES.com.

Financial Responsibility Study Committee Continues Reviewing Programs In Other States

WHAT: Financial Responsibility Study Committee Meeting

WHEN: Wednesday, April 25, 2001, 8:30 a.m.

WHERE: Vern Riffe Center, 77 South High Street, 31^st Floor – South A, Columbus

WHO: Lt. Governor Maureen O’Connor, Director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety; J. Lee Covington II, Director of the Ohio Department of Insurance; and Financial Responsibility Study Committee members

This is the third time the committee has met to discuss this issue. In previous meetings the committee has reviewed programs in New York and Colorado.

AGENDA
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY STUDY COMMITTEE
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2001, 8:30 a.m.
CONFERENCE ROOM SOUTH A, RIFFE CENTER, 31st FLOOR
8:30 - 10:30 am

A. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

B. MOTION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

C. REVIEW OF OTHER STATES PROGRAMS

1. Utah – Insure-Rite, Richard Kasteler (http://www.insure-rite.com)

2. Maryland – MS Technologies, David Powers

D. DISCUSSION

E. FUTURE MEETING DATE: May 23, 2001
Conference Room East B, Riffe Center, 31st Floor, 8:30-10:30 am

F. ADJOURNMENT