Warren-Clinton News

The Ohio House of Representatives has approved House Bill 258, a measure aimed at improving the license renewal notification process for Ohio drivers. The bill, sponsored by State Representatives Adam Mathews (R-Lebanon) and Kellie Deeter (R-Norwalk), would require the Registrar of Motor Vehicles to electronically notify residents at least 15 days before their driver’s license expires.

Currently, drivers in Ohio receive mailed notifications after their licenses have already expired. The proposed legislation would give residents the option to receive electronic reminders ahead of time, which could also help reduce mailing expenses for the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

“By allowing drivers to receive timely reminders before their licenses expire, instead of after, we can promote compliance, enhance road safety, and reduce administrative burdens,” said Mathews. “This bill, originally brought forward by constituents, modernizes the notification process for the BMV and assists Ohioans in ensuring they maintain a valid, useable ID.”

Deeter noted that local election officials had raised concerns about voters arriving with expired licenses. “Early in my term, my local board of elections contacted me, concerned with the growing number of Ohioans arriving to vote with expired licenses, often older adults who have IDs but no longer drive and have to be turned away,” Deeter said. “This simple modernization helps Ohioans stay current, prevents avoidable barriers, and ensures that everyone, from young professionals to aging parents, can more easily stay in compliance.”

Between 2022 and 2024, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles issued an average of over two million state credentials each year—including driver licenses, commercial driver licenses, and state identification cards.

House Bill 258 will now move on to the Senate for further consideration.