Ohio BMV Update

~by Kathy Wiesman, Columbus Bar Association, and
Mike Rankin, Ohio Department of Public Safety

Ohio has a new way to help notify family members more quickly whenever there's an accident or other emergency involving a loved one.

Effective September 8, the state launched one of the nation's first statewide registries for next-of-kin information, and residents may start providing the names of people who should be contacted. The information will be entered into a secure database accessible only by law enforcement in case of a serious injury.

The registry is voluntary. Anyone with an Ohio driver license or state identification card may submit their emergency contact information either at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles office or online by clicking here, or going to www.ohiobmv.com.

Another effective method of providing next-of-kin contact is to have “ICE” (In Case of Emergency) numbers programmed into your cell phone. Many newer phones have this option already set up for you to provide contact numbers. In older phones, enter the work “ICE” as the name of a new contact and then provide numbers. Law enforcement and emergency personnel are familiar with this system and, if necessary, will look for the ICE entry on your phone.

Additional information and new law developments from the Ohio BMV are provided below by Mike Rankin, Registrar in charge of the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Ohio Department of Public Safety:

1. This fall, the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) is implementing new measures required by law to reduce the possibility for fraudulent motor vehicle registrations (VR). Those vehicle owners who have previously provided the BMV with a valid social security number; driver license (DL) or state ID number should not see any change in the process. Those who are registering vehicles for the first time in Ohio; or who have not previously provided the BMV with the aforementioned required numbers; or, third persons using the BMV Power of Attorney (POA) forms to register vehicles for others must provide the vehicle owner’s social security number/tax identification number, DL or state ID number (see ORC 4503.10). Those who need to learn the new procedures can view them online. Those granted authority under the POA must show a valid photo ID identifying who they are.

2. The elimination of the rule requiring all persons renewing their Ohio driver’s licenses or state ID to present their social security card (where those persons have already been verified in the system). Prior to eliminating social security numbers on DL/state ID renewals, approximately 3,000 renewal applicants customers were being turned away each business day.

3. Starting this fall, all Ohio drivers may, through the BMV Web site www.ohiobmv.com or at any of our 215 Deputy Registrar offices around the state, designate up to two persons as their next of kin (NOK) in the BMV database. This is so NOKs may be quickly contacted by police should the licensed driver be incapacitated in an injury accident. Ohio is but a handful of states offering this vital lifesaving service.

The Ohio BMV’s primary responsibilities are the licensing of nearly eight million drivers and the registering of more than 12.1 million motor vehicles in the state. The BMV also works closely with the automotive industry in Ohio. The BMV is responsible for licensing motor vehicle salespersons, new, used and salvage car and truck dealers, and motor vehicle leasing dealers. In addition, our expert team of investigators works statewide with federal and local authorities to successfully prosecute incidents of identity theft; title, registration and ID fraud; odometer fraud, and a host of other offenses detected by the public and while enforcing Ohio’s motor vehicle laws. The BMV also manages the suspension of approximately 650,000 licensed drivers each year and the reinstatement of driving privileges to those drivers who are eligible and pay their reinstatement fees.

Mike Rankin is a 29 year practicing attorney with a practice emphasis in business, public and utility law. He is the former Chief Deputy Clerk for Franklin Co. Municipal Court; CBA “People’s Law School” coordinator; and, co-founder of Mid Ohio Amber Alert. He is married and the father of two adult children.