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ODPS | Bureau of Motor Vehicles

ODPS Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles New Ohio Resident Information

ODPS | BMV

Don’t Leave Home Without These:

            • Vehicle’s original title
            • Two signed, notarized powers of attorney (Power of Attorney for Certificate of Title, Power of Attorney for Vehicle Registration)
            • Your vehicle's loan contract (if you have a lien on it)
            • Your current out of state driver license, proof of Social Security number, proof of residency and proof of legal presence(U.S. Birth Certificate, valid U.S. Passport/Passport Card, Naturalization Papers, USCIS documents). Please refer to the acceptable identification document list.
            • Proof of driver education (if under the age of 18)
            • A cosigner, for drivers under 18
            • Birth certificate, proof of residency, proof of legal presence  (U.S. Birth Certificate, valid U.S. Passport/Passport Card, Naturalization Papers, USCIS documents), and proof of Social Security number if you are obtaining a Temporary Instruction Permit Identification Card. If you have none of these, please refer to the acceptable identification document list.

Note: If your full legal name is inconsistent on any of the documents presented you must provide additional documents to establish the full legal name. The following documents shall be acceptable for this purpose; a marriage certificate or marriage license; a certified copy of a decree of divorce, dissolution, or annulment of marriage; or a certified copy of a court ordered name change.


Click on the link below to print the Welcome New Residents publication.
Welcome New Residents - BMV 3741
Welcome New Residents [Español] - BMV 3742
Welcome New Residents [Somali] - BMV 3743

ODPS | Bureau of Motor Vehicles

Quick Links

ODPS | BMV

Obtaining an Ohio Driver License

Once you are an Ohio resident, you need to become an official Ohio driver as soon as possible. You are considered an Ohio resident once you: take a job, sign a lease, buy a home, register to vote, or enroll children in school.

            • Obtain a copy of the Digest of Ohio Motor Vehicle Laws. This booklet is available for download or ordering, click here. You can also get the Digest at your local license agency. Look in the Yellow Pages under "License Services" for the license agency nearest you. All of the information you need to study for an Ohio driver license test is in this booklet.
            • After you've studied the Digest, go to the nearest State Highway Patrol Examination Station for a written test and vision screening. No appointment is necessary, but be sure to check which days and hours the nearest station is open.
            • The driving test is usually waived for new residents who have a valid out-of-state license. The examiner may require one for someone who may need a license restriction.
            • Additionally, you will be required to show proof of full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, proof of legal presence  (U.S. Birth Certificate, valid U.S. Passport/Passport Card, Naturalization Papers, USCIS documents), and proof of residency. Please refer to the acceptable identification document list.
ODPS | BMV | Ohio Driver License Information

ECheck Certificate

  • The Vehicle Emissions Testing Program through the Ohio EPA is a pollution control inspection program to increase the air quality in certain counties in Ohio. Those counties are: Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage and Summit.

  • An E Check Certificate is required before motor vehicles can be registered in these counties. For further information about the E Check program, call 1-800-CAR-TEST

ODPS | BMV | Registration and Titling FAQ

Titling and Registration

  • If you own a vehicle, you will need to have it inspected. The purpose is to avoid registration of stolen vehicles. All deputy registrar license agencies offer this service and many, but not all, car dealerships do also, so call ahead to be sure.

    The inspection of your vehicle will verify the make, model, body type and manufacturer's serial number or vehicle identification number. This takes about five minutes.

Checklist for Titling and Registration

          • Go to any county Clerk of Courts Title Office;
          • If your vehicle has two owners, both of you have to handle this, unless you get a notarized Power of Attorney for Certificate of Title and Power of Attorney for Vehicle Registration for the one who can't come;
          • If you have a lien on your car, you will have to request that your lien holder send the original title directly to the title office.  This will allow the lien to be recorded on the Ohio title.  You will be provided with a memorandum certificate of title while the original is either sent to the lien holder or filed electronically;
          • You will need to contact the Clerk of Courts to determine the charge for your title transfer. If sales tax is due, it will be collected before the title is issued;
          • If you lease a car, contact your leasing agency to find out how they want you to handle the title transfer. It varies from company to company;
          • Now it's off to the license agency to get your new license plates.  To register your vehicle in Ohio, you must present your new Ohio title (or memorandum of title, if your car has a lien).
          • The license agency will collect the proper registration fees depending on when you purchase your tags, which taxing district you reside in, and when your birthday is.  For passenger vehicles and non-commercial trucks, the cost will range from $35 to $105.  As with your title, the legal owners of the car must apply.