When does the Ambulette license plate become available?

A.

 Ambulette license plates become available on Friday, June 1, 2007.

A.

A customer may apply for the Ambulette license plate at any Deputy Registrar.  These plates cannot be issued or renewed through mail-in registration or through OPlates.com at this time. 

A.

Ohio Revised Code (ORC), Section 4766.01(E) defines an ambulette as “any vehicle that is specifically designed, constructed, or modified and equipped and is intended to be used for transportation upon the streets or highways of this state for persons who require use of a wheelchair.”  According to ORC Section 4766.01(P), non-emergency medical service organizations (NEMSO) “provides services to the public on a regular basis for the purpose of transporting individuals who require the use of a wheelchair or are confined to a wheelchair to receive health care services at health care facilities or health care practitioners’ offices in non-emergency circumstances; Provides the services for a fee, regardless of whether the fee is paid by the person being transported, a third party payer, as defined in Section 3702.51 of the ORC, or any other person or government entity.”

A.

Ohio Medical Transportation Board (OMTB) will determine whether a vehicle is valid for Ambulette plates by either issuing or denying licensure through OMTB. 

No. The applicant must bring the Wall Certificate and the certified copy of the current list of vehicles report or additional/replacement acquisition report (both with the red stamp) to the Deputy Registrar for submission with the registration application, as well as the Ohio Title for the vehicle.  The OMTB license expiration date must be valid on the day of application for vehicle registration.

What are the fees for an Ambulette license plate?

In addition to license tax and permissive fees (ORC 4503.04), Ambulette license plates carry an additional annual $7.50 fee as prescribed in ORC 4503.49.

What vehicles do NOT qualify for OMTB licensure or Ambulette license plates?

The following vehicles or organizations do NOT qualify:

• Privately owned wheelchair vehicles for personal use;
• Healthcare facilities that transport their own patients;
• Public owned fire emergency medical service organization vehicles in a municipal corporation;
• Volunteer rescue organizations with volunteer employees only;
• Private non-profit organizations with 50% or more employees who are volunteer;
• Public NEMSO, urban or rural transit system or a non-profit, private organization that operates transit buses;
• Vehicles purchased with a grant under 49 U.S.C. 5310 and the Department of Transportation holds the lien on the vehicle;
• Vehicles certified by the Department of Aging and meeting its provisions.

**Some non-profit organizations will qualify through OMTB for licensure and therefore, will qualify for Ambulette license plates.  However, these customers will need to contact OMTB for clarification.  Any vehicle licensed by OMTB as an Ambulette will qualify for the Ambulette license plate.

What if I am not sure whether my vehicle should have Ambulette license plates?

There are various types of vehicles used for transporting persons with disabilities.  To assess whether a vehicle should be licensed by OMTB and given an Ambulette plate, please refer to OMTB at 1-866-392-6252.

What if I need more information on the licensure process through OMTB?

Will the “Livery” plate be used any more?

In the past, the Livery license plate was issued for Ambulette vehicles because it had similar requirements.  However, this plate will no longer be issued to those vehicles needing Ambulette license plates.

Is the “Livery” plate still valid?

Those ambulette vehicles with current Livery plates will be valid until expiration for Bureau of Motor Vehicles registration requirements.  However, these Livery plates will not be valid for renewal.  Please note:  OMTB may not renew licensure without proof of the Ambulette license plate registration.  Customer may wish to exchange their plate before renewal, in order to be in compliance.  Customers should contact OMTB for further information.

How do I apply for the Ambulette license plate?

The applicant must be licensed by the Ohio Medical Transportation Board (OMTB) to operate as an Ambulette.  After receiving licensure through OMTB, application must be made at a local Deputy Registrar for the Ambulette license plate.  The applicant must bring the Wall Certificate and the certified copy of the current list of vehicles report or additional/replacement acquisition report (both with the red stamp) to the Deputy Registrar for submission with the registration application, as well as the Ohio Title for the vehicle (the deputy may also contact OMTB to have the documentation faxed directly to the deputy from OMTB).  The OMTB license expiration date must be valid on the day of application for vehicle registration.

What kinds of vehicles can have an Ambulette license plate?

Ambulette license plates can be issued to passenger cars, non-commercial, trucks, buses, and recreational vehicles.

How many Ambulette vehicles are there?

There are roughly 1,200 vehicles that may qualify for Ambulette license plates.

Do registrants with Ambulette license plates qualify for Biennial registration?

No.  Ambulette license plates can only be registered for one year due to annual documentation requirements from OMTB.

Can a bus be registered with an Ambulette license plate?

Yes, a bus (carries 10 or more people, including the driver) can be registered with an Ambulette license plate.  For buses that carry 15 passengers or more, an inspection from the Highway Patrol must be presented at registration.  A weight sticker will be issued to all buses that qualify.

What if I have church or camp buses, do I qualify for Ambulette license plates?

The determining factors are the use of the bus and whether a fee for service is charged.  If the bus is used to transport people with disabilities for medical reasons, they may apply for the licensure through OMTB and then for the Ambulette plate.  However, if the bus is used for non-medical reasons, such as transportation to churches or camps, they will not qualify for OMTB licensure or for an Ambulette license plate.  These customers should contact OMTB, if they feel they qualify for Ambulette licensure.

What if, upon application, it is discovered that my vehicle was formerly registered as a non-commercial vehicle but should really be a commercial truck?

The registrant will need a new registration correctly issued as a commercial truck.  Therefore, the customer must submit the title as well.  The registration fees will not be transferable between non-commercial and commercial vehicles.  The customer will need to pay the new registration fees.

 Will I need to purchase a new registration when applying for the Ambulette license plate?

In most cases, customers will be able to renew their registration and exchange their plate for an Ambulette.  Unless it is discovered that the vehicle was previously registered incorrectly (for example, it was formerly registered as a non-commercial truck instead of a passenger car), the Ambulette license plate can be issued as an exchange to the customer’s vehicle.  Registrations can be transferred between commercial vehicles (if title information has not changed).  Also, registrations can be transferred from non-commercial to passenger vehicles (if title information has not changed).  However, non-commercial registrations cannot be transferred to commercial.

Will there be free transfers of registrations between vehicles when renewing and applying for the Ambulette plate?

No, there will not be free transfers of registration, unless the transfer is between non-commercials only or between commercials only.  The customer will need to pay the new registration fees for if the plate is going from a non-commercial to a commercial (or vice versa).

Will the Ambulette license plate be given directly to me at the time of issuance?

No.  The Ambulette license plate is produced through the digital print (or plate) on demand system at Ohio Penal Industries in Lebanon, Ohio.  Therefore, the Deputy Registrar will issue the registrant a vehicle registration and window placard.  The window placard should be displayed in the rear window of the vehicle until the license plate arrives through U.S. postal service; the window placard allows the customer to begin using the vehicle for transportation of passengers.

What is the difference between an Ambulette and any other vehicle that is modified for persons with disabilities?

Ambulettes are vehicles used to transport persons with disabilities for medical reasons.  These vehicles are privately owned by a NEMSO, which is an entity that transports individuals who use a wheelchair or are confined to a wheelchair to receive healthcare services in non-emergency situations and charges a fee for that transportation regardless of who pays (ORC 4766.01 (P)(1)).  A modified van used for family or personal reasons probably does not qualify for an ambulette plate, since transportation is not solely for medical reasons.  Customers may contact OMTB at 1-866-392-6252 for further clarification.

Can a non-profit organization qualify for Ambulette plates?

Yes, some non-profit organizations can apply to OMTB for licensure.  However, when the vehicle is registered, the organization will have to show proof that it is non-profit (Articles of Incorporation from Secretary of State) and sign an affidavit to that affect (BMV 5712). 

Does a truck applying for an Ambulette require a weight sticker?

Do passenger cars, non-commercial vehicles and recreational vehicles receive county stickers?

Can Ambulette plates be personalized or initial reserved?

No, Ambulette plates may not be personalized and initial reserved.  Stock plate combinations are the only options available.  However, Ambulette plates are still manufactured through the digital process at OPI; therefore, the deputy will need to issue a window placard to the customer so that they can operate their vehicle.

What application form should I use for the Ambulette plate?

The BMV 4705, Request for Special Plates, should be filled out by the applicant.  This form is available online at http://www.bmv.ohio.gov/pdf_forms/4705.pdf, it can be obtained at the Deputy Registrar or by calling 1-800-589-8247 to have the form mailed.   Ambulette plates may NOT be personalized or initial reserved, so this portion of the form will not apply to Ambulette plates.