by Armando Martinez
Getting a License Plate
When you buy a car from a dealership in Ohio, the dealer will handle the license plate registration for you. You'll receive a 45 day temporary tag to use until your permanent plates arrive in the mail. This tag needs to remain on your vehicle until then. The permanent plates will have a new registration sticker that needs to be displayed on the rear license plate.
If you buy a car from a private party, you'll need to register the car and get new plates on your own. You'll need to go to your local Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) office and bring the car's title signed over to you by your seller, proof of insurance, your driver’s license or goverment issued ID and payment for the registration fees, and taxes.
License Plate Fees
In Ohio, the cost of a license plate depends on the type of vehicle you have and the county you live in. There are also additional fees for specialty plates, such as personalized plates or plates with a special design.
Here are the basic fees for license plates in Ohio:
- Standard license plate: $31.00
- Motorcycle license plate: $25.00
- Replacement license plate: $12.00 for 1 plate and $13.25 for 2 plates
- Personalized license plate: $50.75 in addition to standard registration fees
There may be additional fees depending on the county you live in, so be sure to check with your local BMV office for more information.
Transferring License Plates
If you're buying a car from a dealership in Ohio, they will typically handle the transfer of your old license plates to your new car. However, if you're buying a car from a private party, you'll need to transfer the plates yourself.
To transfer your old plates to a new car, you'll need to go to your local BMV office and bring the car's title, copy of valid registration in your name, your old plates, and proof of insurance. You'll also need to pay a $6 trasnfer fee.
If you don't want to transfer your old plates, you can surrender them at the BMV office and get new plates for your new car. Send a notarized Customer Request to Cancel Vehicle Registration (Form BMV 4311) to the address listed on the form.
Contact the Ohio BMV at (844) 644-6268 or your deputy registrar's office for more information about surrendering license plates.
Conclusion
License plates are an important part of owning a car in Ohio, and it's important to make sure you have the correct plates and registration stickers displayed on your car at all times. Whether you're buying a car from a dealership or a private party, be sure to follow the proper procedures for getting and transferring license plates to avoid any legal issues.
This article was written by Armando Martinez. Armando Martinez is among the nation’s experts on automotive titling, registration, DMV services and document operations. With nearly two decades of experience across a broad range of financial services functions and some of the largest names in auto, from Wells Fargo to Uber, Armando combines vision and ingenuity with a wealth of information so auto shoppers and sellers can learn from his experience.
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