Could you be unwittingly driving with a suspended OH driver’s license?
Imagine driving along, just like any other day, and you see blue lights flashing in your rearview. The officer who pulls you over tells you your license has been suspended, but you had no idea.
It happens more often than you might think and, if left unattended, could result in a very serious situation.
Your Ohio license can be suspended for a variety of reasons
Ohio driver’s licenses can be suspended for several reasons, and not all of them involve serious criminal activity.
Here are the most common reasons your license can be suspended, according to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV):
Unpaid traffic tickets or failure to appear in court
Excessive points on your driving record
DUI/OVI (Operating a Vehicle Impaired) convictions or refusing a chemical test
Failure to provide proof of insurance
Failure to pay child support
Medical reasons: If a doctor or the BMV determines you’re medically unfit to drive
Driving without a valid license or with a suspended license
Court-ordered suspensions for certain criminal offenses
Non-compliance with court orders or judgments
How could I not know my license is suspended?
You might be driving around with a suspended license and not even realize it.
Equality Ohio names a few common reasons why this happens include:
If you’ve moved and didn’t update your address with the BMV, any notices may have been sent to the wrong address.
Mail sometimes gets lost or overlooked, even if your address is correct.
The BMV may not send a notice due to administrative errors, or there could be a mix-up with your information.
If your suspension is a result of unpaid fines, court orders, or insurance lapses, you might not realize it unless you check your status.
How can I check to see if my license is suspended?
Ignorance isn’t a legal defense if you’re caught driving on a suspended license, which can result in fines, jail time and further suspension.
To check your license status in Ohio:
Visit the Ohio BMV website and use the “Ohio Online Services” tool. You’ll need your driver’s license number and possibly your Social Security number.
Call the Ohio BMV at 844-644-6268 and provide your license information.
Visit a local BMV office to speak directly with an agent.
Some court paperwork may also indicate if your license is suspended.
What do I do if my license is suspended?
If you discover your license is suspended, don’t panic. The BMV can help you get your driving privileges back.
The Ohio Department of Public Safety has guidelines that could mean paying fines, completing a defensive driving or remedial driving course, providing proof of insurance, or complying with court orders.
However, driving on a suspended license is a serious offense in Ohio. You could wind up spending a lot of money, serving jail time, vehicle immobilization, and/or an extension of your suspension. Repeat offenses or aggravating circumstances can lead to harsher penalties.
If you think you may have been driving on a suspended license, you should take quick action to help avoid bigger problems down the road.
Have you ever had your license suspended, and you didn’t know it? Email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on social media.
