As Reported by House Transportation and Public Safety Committee 1
123rd General Assembly 4
Regular Session Sub. S. B. No. 242 5
1999-2000 6
SENATORS OELSLAGER-CARNES-SPADA-MUMPER-CUPP-DRAKE-ARMBRUSTER- 8
HORN-McLIN-MALLORY-REPRESENTATIVES CLANCY-METTLER-DAMSCHRODER- 9
PERRY-OLMAN-PATTON 10
_________________________________________________________________ 12
A B I L L
To amend sections 1547.01, 1547.54, 4501.01, 14
4503.10, 4503.102, and 4503.20 of the Revised 15
Code to permit the renewal of motor vehicle and 16
watercraft registrations by electronic means. 17
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO: 19
Section 1. That sections 1547.01, 1547.54, 4501.01, 21
4503.10, 4503.102, and 4503.20 of the Revised Code be amended to 23
read as follows:
Sec. 1547.01. (A) As used in sections 1541.03, 1547.25, 32
1547.26, 1547.39, 1547.40, 1547.53, 1547.54, 1547.541, 1547.542, 33
1547.543, 1547.56, 1547.57, 1547.66, 3733.21, and 5311.01 of the 34
Revised Code, "watercraft" means any of the following when used 35
or capable of being used for transportation on the water: 36
(1) A vessel operated by machinery either permanently or 38
temporarily affixed; 39
(2) A sailboat other than a sailboard; 41
(3) An inflatable, manually propelled boat having a hull 43
identification number meeting the requirements of the United 44
States coast guard; 45
(4) A canoe or rowboat. 47
"Watercraft" does not include ferries as referred to in 49
Chapter 4583. of the Revised Code. 50
Watercraft subject to section 1547.54 of the Revised Code 52
shall be divided into five classes as follows: 53
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Class A: Less than sixteen feet in length; 55
Class 1: At least sixteen feet, but less than twenty-six 57
feet in length; 58
Class 2: At least twenty-six feet, but less than forty 60
feet in length; 61
Class 3: At least forty feet, but less than sixty-five 64
feet in length; 65
Class 4: At least sixty-five feet in length. 67
(B) As used in this chapter: 69
(1) "Vessel" includes every description of watercraft, 71
including nondisplacement craft and seaplanes, used or capable of 72
being used as a means of transportation on water. 73
(2) "Rowboat" means any vessel designed to be rowed and 75
that is propelled by human muscular effort by oars or paddles and 78
upon which no mechanical propulsion device, electric motor,
internal combustion engine, or sail has been affixed or is used 79
for the operation of the vessel. 80
(3) "Sailboat" means any vessel, equipped with mast and 82
sails, dependent upon the wind to propel it in the normal course 83
of operation. 84
(a) Any sailboat equipped with an inboard engine is deemed 86
a powercraft with auxiliary sail. 87
(b) Any sailboat equipped with a detachable motor is 89
deemed a sailboat with auxiliary power. 90
(c) Any sailboat being propelled by mechanical power, 92
whether under sail or not, is deemed a powercraft and subject to 93
all laws and rules governing powercraft operation. 94
(4) "Powercraft" means any vessel propelled by machinery, 96
fuel, rockets, or similar device. 97
(5) "Person" includes any legal entity defined as a person 99
in section 1.59 of the Revised Code and any body politic, except 100
the United States and this state, and includes any agent, 101
trustee, executor, receiver, assignee, or other representative 102
thereof.
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(6) "Owner" includes any person who claims lawful 104
possession of a vessel by virtue of legal title or equitable 105
interest therein that entitled the person to that possession. 107
(7) "Operator" includes any person who navigates or has 109
under the person's control a vessel, or vessel and detachable 111
motor, on the waters in this state. 112
(8) "Visible" means visible on a dark night with clear 114
atmosphere. 115
(9) "Waters in this state" means all streams, rivers, 117
lakes, ponds, marshes, watercourses, waterways, and other bodies 119
of water, natural or humanmade, that are situated wholly or 121
partially within this state or within its jurisdiction and are 122
used for recreational boating.
(10) "Navigable waters" means waters that come under the 124
jurisdiction of the department of the army of the United States 125
and any waterways within or adjacent to this state, except inland 126
lakes having neither a navigable inlet nor outlet. 127
(11) "In operation" in reference to a vessel means that 129
the vessel is being navigated or otherwise used on the waters in 131
this state. 132
(12) "Sewage" means human body wastes and the wastes from 134
toilets and other receptacles intended to receive or retain body 135
waste. 136
(13) "Canoe" means a narrow vessel of shallow draft, 138
pointed at both ends and propelled by human muscular effort, and 139
includes kayaks. 140
(14) "Coast guard approved" means bearing an approval 142
number assigned by the United States coast guard. 143
(15) "Type one personal flotation device" means a device 145
that is designed to turn an unconscious person floating in water 147
from a face downward position to a vertical or slightly face 148
upward position and that has at least nine kilograms, 150
approximately twenty pounds, of buoyancy. 151
(16) "Type two personal flotation device" means a device 153
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that is designed to turn an unconscious person in the water from 155
a face downward position to a vertical or slightly face upward 156
position and that has at least seven kilograms, approximately 158
fifteen and four-tenths pounds, of buoyancy. 159
(17) "Type three personal flotation device" means a device 161
that is designed to keep a conscious person in a vertical or 163
slightly face upward position and that has at least seven 165
kilograms, approximately fifteen and four-tenths pounds, of 166
buoyancy. 167
(18) "Type four personal flotation device" means a device 169
that is designed to be thrown to a person in the water and not 171
worn and that has at least seven and five-tenths kilograms, 174
approximately sixteen and five-tenths pounds, of buoyancy. 175
(19) "Type five personal flotation device" means a device 178
that, unlike other personal flotation devices, has limitations on 179
its approval by the United States coast guard, including, without 180
limitation, all of the following: 181
(a) The approval label on the type five personal flotation 183
device indicates that the device is approved for the activity in 184
which the vessel is being used or as a substitute for a personal 185
flotation device of the type required on the vessel in use; 186
(b) The personal flotation device is used in accordance 188
with any requirements on the approval label; 189
(c) The personal flotation device is used in accordance 191
with requirements in its owner's manual if the approval label 192
refers to such a manual. 193
(20) "Inflatable watercraft" means any vessel constructed 195
of rubber, canvas, or other material that is designed to be 197
inflated with any gaseous substance, constructed with two or more 198
air cells, and operated as a vessel. Inflatable watercraft 199
propelled by a motor shall be classified as powercraft and shall 200
be registered by length. 201
(21) "Idle speed" means the slowest possible speed needed 203
to maintain steerage or maneuverability. 204
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(22) "Diver's flag" means a red flag not less than one 206
foot square having a diagonal white stripe extending from the 207
masthead to the opposite lower corner that when displayed 208
indicates that divers are in the water. 209
(23) "Muffler" means an acoustical suppression device or 212
system that is designed and installed to abate the sound of 213
exhaust gases emitted from an internal combustion engine and that 214
prevents excessive or unusual noise.
(24) "Law enforcement vessel" means any vessel used in law 216
enforcement and under the command of a law enforcement officer. 217
(25) "Personal watercraft" means a vessel, less than 219
sixteen feet in length, that is propelled by machinery and 220
designed to be operated by an individual sitting, standing, or 221
kneeling on the vessel rather than by an individual sitting or 222
standing inside the vessel.
(26) "No wake" has the same meaning as "idle speed." 224
(27) "Watercraft dealer" means any person who is regularly 226
engaged in the business of manufacturing, selling, displaying, 227
offering for sale, or dealing in vessels at an established place 228
of business. "Watercraft dealer" does not include a person who 229
is a marine salvage dealer or any other person who dismantles, 230
salvages, or rebuilds vessels using used parts.
(28) "ELECTRONIC" INCLUDES ELECTRICAL, DIGITAL, MAGNETIC, 232
OPTICAL, ELECTROMAGNETIC, OR ANY OTHER FORM OF TECHNOLOGY THAT 233
ENTAILS CAPABILITIES SIMILAR TO THESE TECHNOLOGIES. 234
(29) "ELECTRONIC RECORD" MEANS A RECORD GENERATED, 236
COMMUNICATED, RECEIVED, OR STORED BY ELECTRONIC MEANS FOR USE IN 237
AN INFORMATION SYSTEM OR FOR TRANSMISSION FROM ONE INFORMATION 238
SYSTEM TO ANOTHER.
(30) "ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE" MEANS A SIGNATURE IN 240
ELECTRONIC FORM ATTACHED TO OR LOGICALLY ASSOCIATED WITH AN 241
ELECTRONIC RECORD.
(C) Unless otherwise provided, this chapter applies to all 243
vessels operating on the waters in this state. Nothing in this 244
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chapter shall be construed in contravention of any valid federal 245
act or regulation, but is in addition to the act or regulation 247
where not inconsistent.
The state reserves to itself the exclusive right to 249
regulate the minimum equipment requirements of watercraft and 250
vessels operated on the waters in this state. 251
Sec. 1547.54. (A)(1) The owner of every watercraft 260
requiring registration under this chapter shall file an 261
application for a triennial registration certificate with the 262
chief of the division of watercraft on forms that shall be 263
provided by the chief OR BY AN ELECTRONIC MEANS APPROVED BY THE 264
CHIEF. The application shall be signed by the following: 265
(a) If the watercraft is owned by two persons under joint 267
ownership with right of survivorship established under section 268
2106.17 of the Revised Code, by both of those persons as owners 269
of the watercraft;. THE SIGNATURES MAY BE DONE BY ELECTRONIC 270
SIGNATURE IF THE OWNERS THEMSELVES ARE RENEWING THE REGISTRATION 271
AND THERE ARE NO CHANGES IN THE REGISTRATION INFORMATION SINCE 272
THE ISSUANCE OF THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING REGISTRATION
CERTIFICATE. IN ALL OTHER INSTANCES, THE SIGNATURES MUST BE DONE 273
MANUALLY.
(b) If the watercraft is owned by a minor, by the minor 275
and a parent or legal guardian;. THE SIGNATURES MAY BE DONE BY 276
ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE IF THE PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN AND THE 277
MINOR THEMSELVES ARE RENEWING THE REGISTRATION AND THERE ARE NO 278
CHANGES IN THE REGISTRATION INFORMATION SINCE THE ISSUANCE OF THE 279
IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE. IN ALL OTHER 280
INSTANCES, THE SIGNATURES MUST BE DONE MANUALLY.
(c) In all other cases, by the owner of the watercraft. 282
THE SIGNATURE MAY BE DONE BY ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE IF THE OWNER 283
HIM OR HERSELF IS RENEWING THE REGISTRATION AND THERE ARE NO 284
CHANGES IN THE REGISTRATION INFORMATION SINCE THE ISSUANCE OF THE 285
IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE. IN ALL OTHER 286
INSTANCES, THE SIGNATURES MUST BE DONE MANUALLY.
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(2) An application for a triennial registration of a 288
watercraft filed under division (A)(1) of this section shall be 290
accompanied by the following fee: 291
(a) For canoes, kayaks, rowboats, and inflatable 293
watercraft, twelve dollars; 295
(b) For class A watercraft, including motorized canoes, 297
thirty dollars; 299
(c) For class 1 watercraft, forty-five dollars; 301
(d) For class 2 watercraft, sixty dollars; 303
(e) For class 3 watercraft, seventy-five dollars; 305
(f) For class 4 watercraft, ninety dollars. 307
(3) For the purpose of registration, any watercraft 309
operated by means of power, sail, or any other mechanical or 310
electrical means of propulsion, except motorized canoes, shall be 311
registered by length as prescribed in this section. 313
(4) If an application for registration is filed by two 315
persons as owners under division (A)(1)(a) of this section, the 317
person who is listed first on the title shall serve as and 319
perform the duties of the "owner" and shall be considered the 321
person "in whose name the watercraft is registered" for purposes 323
of divisions (B) to (P)(Q) of this section and for purposes of 325
all other sections in this chapter. 326
(B) All registration certificates are valid for three 328
years and are renewable on a triennial basis unless sooner 330
terminated or discontinued in accordance with this chapter. The 331
renewal date shall be printed on the registration certificate. A 332
registration certificate may be renewed by the owner in the 333
manner prescribed by the chief. All fees shall be charged 334
according to a proration of the time remaining in the 335
registration cycle to the nearest year.
(C) In addition to the fees set forth in this section, the 337
chief, or any authorized agent, shall charge an additional fee of 338
three dollars for any registration certificate the chief or 340
authorized agent issues. When the registration certificate is 342
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issued by an authorized agent, the additional fee of three 343
dollars shall be retained by the issuing agent. When the 344
registration certificate is issued by the chief, the additional 345
fee of three dollars shall be deposited to the credit of the 346
waterways safety fund established in section 1547.75 of the 347
Revised Code.
(D) Upon receipt of the application in approved form, the 349
chief shall enter the same upon the records of the office of the 350
division, assign a number to the watercraft if a number is 351
required under section 1547.53 of the Revised Code, and issue to 352
the applicant a registration certificate. If a number is 353
assigned by the chief, it shall be set forth on the certificate. 354
The registration certificate shall be on the watercraft for which 355
it is issued and available at all times for inspection whenever 356
the watercraft is in operation, except that livery operators may 357
retain the registration certificate at the livery where it shall 358
remain available for inspection at all times. 359
(E) No person shall issue or be issued a registration 361
certificate for a watercraft that is required to be issued a 363
certificate of title under Chapter 1548. of the Revised Code 364
except upon presentation of a certificate of title for the
watercraft as provided in that chapter, proof of current 367
documentation by the United States coast guard, a renewal 368
registration form provided by the division of watercraft, or a 369
certificate of registration issued under this section that has 370
expired if there is no change in the ownership or description of 371
the watercraft.
(F) Whenever the ownership of a watercraft changes, a new 373
application form together with the prescribed fee shall be filed 374
with the chief or the chief's agent and a new registration 376
certificate shall be issued. The application shall be signed 377
MANUALLY by the person or persons specified in division (A)(1)(a) 379
to (c) of this section and shall be accompanied by a two-dollar 381
transfer fee. Any remaining time on the registration shall be 382
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transferred. An authorized agent of the chief shall charge an 383
additional fee of three dollars, which shall be retained by the 384
issuing agent. If the certificate is issued by the chief, an 385
additional fee of three dollars for each certificate issued shall 386
be collected.
(G) If an agency of the United States has in force an 388
overall system of identification numbering for watercraft or 389
certain types of watercraft within the United States, the 390
numbering system employed by the division shall be in conformity 391
with that system. 392
(H) The chief may assign any registration certificates to 394
any authorized agent for the assignment thereof. If a person 395
accepts that authorization, the person may be assigned a block of 397
numbers and certificates therefor that upon assignment, in 398
conformity with this chapter and Chapter 1548. of the Revised 400
Code and with rules of the division, shall be valid as if 401
assigned directly by the division. Any person so designated as 402
an agent by the chief shall post with the division security as 403
may be required by the director of natural resources. The chief 404
may issue an order temporarily or permanently restricting or 405
suspending an agent's authorization without a hearing if the 406
chief finds that the agent has violated this chapter or Chapter 408
1548. of the Revised Code, rules adopted under them, or any 409
agreements prescribed by the chief. 411
(I) All records of the division made or kept pursuant to 413
this section shall be public records. Those records shall be 414
available for inspection at reasonable hours and in a manner 415
compatible with normal operations of the division. 416
(J) The owner shall furnish the division notice within 418
fifteen days of the following: 419
(1) The transfer, other than through the creation of a 421
security interest in any watercraft, of all or any part of the 422
owner's interest or, if the watercraft is owned by two persons 424
under joint ownership with right of survivorship established 425
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under section 2106.17 of the Revised Code, of all or any part of
the joint interest of either of the two persons. The transfer 426
shall not terminate the registration certificate. 427
(2) Any change in the address appearing on the certificate 430
and, as a part of the notification, shall furnish the chief with 432
the owner's new address;
(3) The destruction or abandonment of the watercraft. 434
(K) The chief may issue duplicate registration 436
certificates or duplicate tags to owners of currently registered 437
watercraft, the fee for which shall be four dollars. 438
(L) If the chief finds that a registration certificate 440
previously issued to an owner is in error to a degree that would 441
impair its basic purpose and use, the chief may issue a corrected 443
certificate to the owner without charge. 444
(M) No authorized agent shall issue and no person shall 446
receive or accept from an authorized agent a registration 447
certificate assigned to the authorized agent under division (H) 448
of this section unless the exact month, day, and year of issue 449
are plainly written thereon by the agent. Certificates issued 450
with incorrect dates of issue are void from the time they are 451
issued. 452
(N) THE CHIEF, IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHAPTER 119. OF THE 454
REVISED CODE, SHALL ADOPT RULES GOVERNING THE RENEWAL OF 455
WATERCRAFT REGISTRATIONS BY ELECTRONIC MEANS.
(O) As used in this section: 457
(1) "Disabled veteran" means a person who is included in 460
either of the following categories: 461
(a) Because of a service-connected disability, has been or 463
is awarded funds for the purchase of a motor vehicle under the 464
"Disabled Veterans' and Servicemen's Automobile Assistance Act of 465
1970," 84 Stat. 1998, 38 U.S.C. 1901, and amendments thereto; 466
(b) Has a service-connected disability rated at one 468
hundred per cent by the veterans administration. 469
(2) "Prisoner of war" means any regularly appointed, 471
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enrolled, enlisted, or inducted member of the military forces of 472
the United States who was captured, separated, and incarcerated 473
by an enemy of the United States at any time, and any regularly 474
appointed, enrolled, or enlisted member of the military forces of 475
Great Britain, France, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, 477
Denmark, Greece, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, 478
South Africa, or the republics formerly associated with the Union 479
of Soviet Socialist Republics or Yugoslavia who was a citizen of 481
the United States at the time of the appointment, enrollment, or 482
enlistment, and was captured, separated, and incarcerated by an 483
enemy of this country during World War II. 484
(O)(P) Any disabled veteran, congressional medal of honor 486
awardee, or prisoner of war may apply to the chief for a 487
certificate of registration, or for a renewal of the certificate 489
of registration, without the payment of any fee required by this 491
section. The application for a certificate of registration shall 492
be accompanied by evidence of disability or by documentary 494
evidence in support of a congressional medal of honor that the 496
chief requires by rule. The application for a certificate of 498
registration by any person who has been a prisoner of war shall 500
be accompanied by written evidence in the form of a record of 501
separation, a letter from one of the armed forces of a country 502
listed in division (N)(O)(2) of this section, or other evidence 503
that the chief may require by rule, that the person was honorably 505
discharged or is currently residing in this state on active duty 506
with one of the branches of the armed forces of the United 508
States, or was a prisoner of war and was honorably discharged or 509
received an equivalent discharge or release from one of the armed 510
forces of a country listed in division (N)(O)(2) of this section. 511
(P)(Q) Annually by the fifteenth day of January, the 513
director of natural resources shall determine the amount of fees 514
that would have been collected in the prior calendar year for 515
each certificate of registration issued or renewed pursuant to 516
division (O)(P) of this section and shall certify the total 518
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amount of foregone revenue to the director of budget and 519
management for reimbursement. The director of budget and 520
management shall transfer the amount certified from the general 521
revenue fund to the waterways safety fund created pursuant to 522
section 1547.75 of the Revised Code. 523
Sec. 4501.01. As used in this chapter and Chapters 4503., 533
4505., 4507., 4509., 4511., 4513., 4515., and 4517. of the 534
Revised Code, and in the penal laws, except as otherwise 535
provided: 536
(A) "Vehicles" means everything on wheels or runners, 538
including motorized bicycles, but does not mean vehicles that are 539
operated exclusively on rails or tracks or from overhead electric 540
trolley wires and vehicles that belong to any police department, 541
municipal fire department, or volunteer fire department, or that 542
are used by such a department in the discharge of its functions. 543
(B) "Motor vehicle" means any vehicle, including mobile 546
homes and recreational vehicles, that is propelled or drawn by 548
power other than muscular power or power collected from overhead 549
electric trolley wires. "Motor vehicle" does not include 550
motorized bicycles, road rollers, traction engines, power 551
shovels, power cranes, and other equipment used in construction 552
work and not designed for or employed in general highway 553
transportation, well-drilling machinery, ditch-digging machinery, 554
farm machinery, trailers that are used to transport agricultural 555
produce or agricultural production materials between a local 556
place of storage or supply and the farm when drawn or towed on a 557
public road or highway at a speed of twenty-five miles per hour 558
or less, threshing machinery, hay-baling machinery, corn sheller, 559
hammermill and agricultural tractors, machinery used in the 560
production of horticultural, agricultural, and vegetable 561
products, and trailers that are designed and used exclusively to 562
transport a boat between a place of storage and a marina, or in 563
and around a marina, when drawn or towed on a public road or 564
highway for a distance of no more than ten miles and at a speed 565
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of twenty-five miles per hour or less.
(C) "Agricultural tractor" and "traction engine" mean any 567
self-propelling vehicle that is designed or used for drawing 568
other vehicles or wheeled machinery, but has no provisions for 569
carrying loads independently of such other vehicles, and that is 570
used principally for agricultural purposes. 571
(D) "Commercial tractor," except as defined in division 573
(C) of this section, means any motor vehicle that has motive 574
power and either is designed or used for drawing other motor 575
vehicles, or is designed or used for drawing another motor 577
vehicle while carrying a portion of the other motor vehicle or 578
its load, or both.
(E) "Passenger car" means any motor vehicle that is 580
designed and used for carrying not more than nine persons and 581
includes any motor vehicle that is designed and used for carrying 582
not more than fifteen persons in a ridesharing arrangement. 583
(F) "Collector's vehicle" means any motor vehicle or 585
agricultural tractor or traction engine that is of special 586
interest, that has a fair market value of one hundred dollars or 587
more, whether operable or not, and that is owned, operated, 588
collected, preserved, restored, maintained, or used essentially 589
as a collector's item, leisure pursuit, or investment, but not as 590
the owner's principal means of transportation. "Licensed 591
collector's vehicle" means a collector's vehicle, other than an 592
agricultural tractor or traction engine, that displays current, 593
valid license tags issued under section 4503.45 of the Revised 594
Code, or a similar type of motor vehicle that displays current, 595
valid license tags issued under substantially equivalent 596
provisions in the laws of other states. 597
(G) "Historical motor vehicle" means any motor vehicle 599
that is over twenty-five years old and is owned solely as a 600
collector's item and for participation in club activities, 601
exhibitions, tours, parades, and similar uses, but that in no 602
event is used for general transportation. 603
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(H) "Noncommercial motor vehicle" means any motor vehicle, 605
including a farm truck as defined in section 4503.04 of the 606
Revised Code, that is designed by the manufacturer to carry a 607
load of no more than one ton and is used exclusively for purposes 608
other than engaging in business for profit. 609
(I) "Bus" means any motor vehicle that has motor power and 612
is designed and used for carrying more than nine passengers,
except any motor vehicle that is designed and used for carrying 613
not more than fifteen passengers in a ridesharing arrangement. 614
(J) "Commercial car" means any motor vehicle that has 616
motor power and is designed and used for carrying merchandise or 617
freight, or that is used as a commercial tractor. 618
(K) "Bicycle" means every device, other than a tricycle 620
that is designed solely for use as a play vehicle by a child, 622
that is propelled solely by human power upon which any person may 623
ride, and that has either two tandem wheels, or one wheel in 624
front and two wheels in the rear, any of which is more than 625
fourteen inches in diameter.
(L) "Motorized bicycle" means any vehicle that either has 627
two tandem wheels or one wheel in the front and two wheels in the 629
rear, that is capable of being pedaled, and that is equipped with
a helper motor of not more than fifty cubic centimeters piston 630
displacement that produces no more than one brake horsepower and 631
is capable of propelling the vehicle at a speed of no greater 632
than twenty miles per hour on a level surface. 633
(M) "Trailer" means any vehicle without motive power that 636
is designed or used for carrying property or persons wholly on
its own structure and for being drawn by a motor vehicle, and 637
includes any such vehicle that is formed by or operated as a 638
combination of a semitrailer and a vehicle of the dolly type such 639
as that commonly known as a trailer dolly, a vehicle used to 640
transport agricultural produce or agricultural production 641
materials between a local place of storage or supply and the farm 642
when drawn or towed on a public road or highway at a speed 643
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greater than twenty-five miles per hour, and a vehicle that is 644
designed and used exclusively to transport a boat between a place 645
of storage and a marina, or in and around a marina, when drawn or 646
towed on a public road or highway for a distance of more than ten 647
miles or at a speed of more than twenty-five miles per hour. 648
"Trailer" does not include a manufactured home or travel trailer. 649
(N) "Noncommercial trailer" means any trailer, except a 651
travel trailer or trailer that is used to transport a boat as 652
described in division (B) of this section, but, where applicable, 653
includes a vehicle that is used to transport a boat as described 654
in division (M) of this section, that has a gross weight of no 655
more than three thousand pounds, and that is used exclusively for 656
purposes other than engaging in business for a profit. 657
(O) "Mobile home" means a building unit or assembly of 660
closed construction that is fabricated in an off-site facility, 661
is more than thirty-five body feet in length or, when erected on 662
site, is three hundred twenty or more square feet, is built on a 663
permanent chassis, is transportable in one or more sections, and 665
does not qualify as a manufactured home as defined in division 666
(C)(4) of section 3781.06 of the Revised Code or as an 667
industrialized unit as defined in division (C)(3) of section 668
3781.06 of the Revised Code.
(P) "Semitrailer" means any vehicle of the trailer type 670
that does not have motive power and is so designed or used with 671
another and separate motor vehicle that in operation a part of 672
its own weight or that of its load, or both, rests upon and is 673
carried by the other vehicle furnishing the motive power for 674
propelling itself and the vehicle referred to in this division, 675
and includes, for the purpose only of registration and taxation 676
under those chapters, any vehicle of the dolly type, such as a 677
trailer dolly, that is designed or used for the conversion of a 678
semitrailer into a trailer. 679
(Q) "Recreational vehicle" means a vehicular portable 681
structure that is designed and constructed to be used as a 682
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temporary dwelling for travel, recreational, and vacation uses 683
and is classed as follows: 684
(1) "Travel trailer" means a nonself-propelled 686
recreational vehicle that does not exceed an overall length of 687
thirty-five feet, exclusive of bumper and tongue or coupling, and 688
contains less than three hundred twenty square feet of space when 689
erected on site. "Travel trailer" includes a tent-type fold-out 691
camping trailer as defined in section 4517.01 of the Revised 692
Code.
(2) "Motor home" means a self-propelled recreational 694
vehicle that is constructed with permanently installed facilities 695
for cold storage, cooking and consuming of food, and for 696
sleeping.
(3) "Truck camper" means a nonself-propelled recreational 698
vehicle that does not have wheels for road use and is designed to 699
be placed upon and attached to a motor vehicle. "Truck camper" 700
does not include truck covers that consist of walls and a roof, 701
but do not have floors and facilities enabling them to be used as 702
a dwelling.
(4) "Fifth wheel trailer" means a vehicle that is of such 704
size and weight as to be movable without a special highway 705
permit, that has a gross trailer area of four hundred square feet 706
or less, that is constructed with a raised forward section that 707
allows a bi-level floor plan, and that is designed to be towed by
a vehicle equipped with a fifth-wheel hitch ordinarily installed 708
in the bed of a truck. 709
(5) "Park trailer" means a vehicle that is commonly known 711
as a park model recreational vehicle, meets the American national 712
standard institute standard A119.5 (1988) for park trailers, is 713
built on a single chassis, has a gross trailer area of four 714
hundred square feet or less when set up, is designed for seasonal 715
or temporary living quarters, and may be connected to utilities
necessary for the operation of installed features and appliances. 716
(R) "Pneumatic tires" means tires of rubber and fabric or 718
17
tires of similar material, that are inflated with air. 719
(S) "Solid tires" means tires of rubber or similar elastic 721
material that are not dependent upon confined air for support of 722
the load.
(T) "Solid tire vehicle" means any vehicle that is 724
equipped with two or more solid tires. 725
(U) "Farm machinery" means all machines and tools that are 727
used in the production, harvesting, and care of farm products, 728
and includes trailers that are used to transport agricultural 729
produce or agricultural production materials between a local 730
place of storage or supply and the farm when drawn or towed on a 731
public road or highway at a speed of twenty-five miles per hour 732
or less.
(V) "Owner" includes any person, firm, or corporation 734
other than a manufacturer or dealer that has title to a motor 735
vehicle, except that in sections 4505.01 to 4505.19 of the 736
Revised Code, "owner" includes in addition manufacturers and 737
dealers.
(W) "Manufacturer" and "dealer" include all persons, 739
firms, and corporations that are regularly engaged in the 740
business of manufacturing, selling, displaying, offering for 741
sale, or dealing in motor vehicles, at an established place of 742
business that is used exclusively for the purpose of 743
manufacturing, selling, displaying, offering for sale, or dealing 744
in motor vehicles. A place of business that is used for 745
manufacturing, selling, displaying, offering for sale, or dealing 746
in motor vehicles shall be deemed to be used exclusively for 747
those purposes even though snowmobiles or all-purpose vehicles 748
are sold or displayed for sale thereat, even though farm 749
machinery is sold or displayed for sale thereat, or even though 750
repair, accessory, gasoline and oil, storage, parts, service, or 751
paint departments are maintained thereat, or, in any county 752
having a population of less than seventy-five thousand persons at 753
the last federal census, even though a department in a place of 754
18
business is used to dismantle, salvage, or rebuild motor vehicles 755
by means of used parts, if such departments are operated for the 756
purpose of furthering and assisting in the business of 757
manufacturing, selling, displaying, offering for sale, or dealing 758
in motor vehicles. Places of business or departments in a place 759
of business used to dismantle, salvage, or rebuild motor vehicles 760
by means of using used parts are not considered as being 761
maintained for the purpose of assisting or furthering the 762
manufacturing, selling, displaying, and offering for sale or 763
dealing in motor vehicles.
(X) "Operator" includes any person who drives or operates 765
a motor vehicle upon the public highways. 766
(Y) "Chauffeur" means any operator who operates a motor 768
vehicle, other than a taxicab, as an employee for hire; or any 769
operator whether or not the owner of a motor vehicle, other than 770
a taxicab, who operates such vehicle for transporting, for gain, 771
compensation, or profit, either persons or property owned by 772
another. Any operator of a motor vehicle who is voluntarily 773
involved in a ridesharing arrangement is not considered an 774
employee for hire or operating such vehicle for gain, 775
compensation, or profit.
(Z) "State" includes the territories and federal districts 777
of the United States, and the provinces of Canada. 778
(AA) "Public roads and highways" for vehicles includes all 780
public thoroughfares, bridges, and culverts. 781
(BB) "Manufacturer's number" means the manufacturer's 783
original serial number that is affixed to or imprinted upon the 784
chassis or other part of the motor vehicle. 785
(CC) "Motor number" means the manufacturer's original 787
number that is affixed to or imprinted upon the engine or motor 788
of the vehicle. 789
(DD) "Distributor" means any person who is authorized by 791
a motor vehicle manufacturer to distribute new motor vehicles to 792
licensed motor vehicle dealers at an established place of 793
19
business that is used exclusively for the purpose of distributing 794
new motor vehicles to licensed motor vehicle dealers, except when 795
the distributor also is a new motor vehicle dealer, in which case 796
the distributor may distribute at the location of the 797
distributor's licensed dealership. 798
(EE) "Ridesharing arrangement" means the transportation of 800
persons in a motor vehicle where the transportation is incidental 802
to another purpose of a volunteer driver and includes ridesharing 803
arrangements known as carpools, vanpools, and buspools. 804
(FF) "Apportionable vehicle" means any vehicle that is 806
used or intended for use in two or more international 807
registration plan member jurisdictions that allocate or 808
proportionally register vehicles, that is used for the 809
transportation of persons for hire or designed, used, or 810
maintained primarily for the transportation of property, and that 811
meets any of the following qualifications:
(1) Is a power unit having a gross vehicle weight in 813
excess of twenty-six thousand pounds; 814
(2) Is a power unit having three or more axles, regardless 816
of the gross vehicle weight; 817
(3) Is a combination vehicle with a gross vehicle weight 819
in excess of twenty-six thousand pounds. 820
"Apportionable vehicle" does not include recreational 822
vehicles, vehicles displaying restricted plates, city pick-up and 823
delivery vehicles, buses used for the transportation of chartered 824
parties, or vehicles owned and operated by the United States, 825
this state, or any political subdivisions thereof. 826
(GG) "Chartered party" means a group of persons who 828
contract as a group to acquire the exclusive use of a 829
passenger-carrying motor vehicle at a fixed charge for the 830
vehicle in accordance with the carrier's tariff, lawfully on file 831
with the United States department of transportation, for the 833
purpose of group travel to a specified destination or for a 834
particular itinerary, either agreed upon in advance or modified 835
20
by the chartered group after having left the place of origin. 836
(HH) "International registration plan" means a reciprocal 838
agreement of member jurisdictions that is endorsed by the 839
American association of motor vehicle administrators, and that 840
promotes and encourages the fullest possible use of the highway 841
system by authorizing apportioned registration of fleets of 842
vehicles and recognizing registration of vehicles apportioned in 843
member jurisdictions. 844
(II) "Restricted plate" means a license plate that has a 846
restriction of time, geographic area, mileage, or commodity, and 847
includes license plates issued to farm trucks under division (K) 848
of section 4503.04 of the Revised Code. 849
(JJ) "Gross vehicle weight," with regard to any commercial 851
car, trailer, semitrailer, or bus that is taxed at the rates 852
established under section 4503.042 of the Revised Code, means the 853
unladen weight of the vehicle fully equipped plus the maximum 854
weight of the load to be carried on the vehicle. 855
(KK) "Combined gross vehicle weight" with regard to any 857
combination of a commercial car, trailer, and semitrailer, that 858
is taxed at the rates established under section 4503.042 of the 859
Revised Code, means the total unladen weight of the combination 860
of vehicles fully equipped plus the maximum weight of the load to 861
be carried on that combination of vehicles. 862
(LL) "Chauffeured limousine" means a motor vehicle that is 865
designed to carry nine or fewer passengers and is operated for 866
hire on an hourly basis pursuant to a prearranged contract for 867
the transportation of passengers on public roads and highways 868
along a route under the control of the person hiring the vehicle 869
and not over a defined and regular route. "Prearranged contract" 870
means an agreement, made in advance of boarding, to provide 871
transportation from a specific location in a chauffeured 872
limousine at a fixed rate per hour or trip. "Chauffeured 873
limousine" does not include any vehicle that is used exclusively 874
in the business of funeral directing. 875
21
(NN)(MM) "Manufactured home" has the same meaning as in 878
division (C)(4) of section 3781.06 of the Revised Code. 879
(OO)(NN) "Acquired situs," with respect to a manufactured 882
home or a mobile home, means to become located in this state 883
pursuant to the issuance of a certificate of title for the home 884
and the placement of the home on real property, but does not 885
include the placement of a manufactured home or a mobile home in 886
the inventory of a new motor vehicle dealer or the inventory of a 887
manufacturer, remanufacturer, or distributor of manufactured or 888
mobile homes. 889
(OO) "ELECTRONIC" INCLUDES ELECTRICAL, DIGITAL, MAGNETIC, 891
OPTICAL, ELECTROMAGNETIC, OR ANY OTHER FORM OF TECHNOLOGY THAT 892
ENTAILS CAPABILITIES SIMILAR TO THESE TECHNOLOGIES. 893
(PP) "ELECTRONIC RECORD" MEANS A RECORD GENERATED, 895
COMMUNICATED, RECEIVED, OR STORED BY ELECTRONIC MEANS FOR USE IN 896
AN INFORMATION SYSTEM OR FOR TRANSMISSION FROM ONE INFORMATION 897
SYSTEM TO ANOTHER.
(QQ) "ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE" MEANS A SIGNATURE IN 899
ELECTRONIC FORM ATTACHED TO OR LOGICALLY ASSOCIATED WITH AN 900
ELECTRONIC RECORD.
(RR) "FINANCIAL TRANSACTION DEVICE" HAS THE SAME MEANING 902
AS IN DIVISION (A) OF SECTION 113.40 OF THE REVISED CODE. 903
Sec. 4503.10. (A) The owner of every snowmobile, 912
off-highway motorcycle, and all-purpose vehicle required to be 914
registered under section 4519.02 of the Revised Code shall file 916
an application for registration under section 4519.03 of the 917
Revised Code. The owner of a motor vehicle, other than a 920
snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all-purpose vehicle, that 921
is not designed and constructed by the manufacturer for operation 922
on a street or highway may not register it under this chapter 923
except upon certification of inspection pursuant to section 924
4513.02 of the Revised Code by the sheriff or chief of police of 927
the municipal or township police with jurisdiction over the 928
political subdivision in which the owner of the motor vehicle 929
22
resides. Except as provided in section 4503.103 of the Revised 930
Code, every owner of every other motor vehicle not previously 931
described in this section and every person mentioned as owner in 932
the last certificate of title of a motor vehicle that is operated 934
or driven upon the public roads or highways shall cause to be 935
filed each year, by mail or otherwise, in the office of the 936
registrar of motor vehicles or a deputy registrar, a written OR 937
ELECTRONIC application or a preprinted registration renewal
notice issued under section 4503.102 of the Revised Code, the 938
form of which shall be prescribed by the registrar, for 939
registration for the following registration year, which shall 940
begin on the first day of January of every calendar year and end 941
on the thirty-first day of December in the same year. 942
Applications for registration and registration renewal notices 943
shall be filed at the times established by the registrar pursuant 944
to section 4503.101 of the Revised Code. A MOTOR VEHICLE OWNER 945
ALSO MAY ELECT TO RENEW A MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION BY 946
ELECTRONIC MEANS USING ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE IN ACCORDANCE WITH 947
RULES ADOPTED BY THE REGISTRAR. Except as provided in division 948
(J) of this section, applications for registration shall be made 949
on blanks furnished by the registrar for that purpose, containing 950
the following information: 951
(1) A brief description of the motor vehicle to be 953
registered, including the name of the manufacturer, the factory 954
number of the vehicle, the year's model, and, in the case of 955
commercial cars, the gross weight of the vehicle fully equipped 956
computed in the manner prescribed in section 4503.08 of the 957
Revised Code; 958
(2) The name and residence address of the owner, and the 961
township and municipal corporation in which the owner resides; 963
(3) The district of registration, which shall be 965
determined as follows: 966
(a) In case the motor vehicle to be registered is used for 968
hire or principally in connection with any established business 969
23
or branch business, conducted at a particular place, the district 970
of registration is the municipal corporation in which that place 971
is located or, if not located in any municipal corporation, the 972
county and township in which that place is located. 973
(b) In case the vehicle is not so used, the district of 975
registration is the municipal corporation or county in which the 976
owner resides at the time of making the application. 977
(4) Whether the motor vehicle is a new or used motor 979
vehicle; 980
(5) The date of purchase of the motor vehicle; 982
(6) Whether the fees required to be paid for the 984
registration or transfer of the motor vehicle, during the 985
preceding registration year and during the preceding period of 986
the current registration year, have been paid. Each application 987
for registration shall be signed by the owner, directly EITHER 988
MANUALLY OR BY ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE, or pursuant to obtaining a 990
limited power of attorney authorized by the registrar for
registration, or other document authorizing such signature. IF 991
THE OWNER ELECTS TO RENEW THE MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION WITH THE 992
REGISTRAR BY ELECTRONIC MEANS, THE OWNER'S MANUAL SIGNATURE IS 993
NOT REQUIRED.
(7) The owner's social security number, if assigned, or, 995
where a motor vehicle to be registered is used for hire or 996
principally in connection with any established business, the 997
owner's federal taxpayer identification number. 998
(B) Each time the applicant first registers a motor 1,000
vehicle in the applicant's name, the applicant shall present for 1,002
inspection a certificate of title or a memorandum certificate 1,003
showing title to the motor vehicle to be registered in the 1,004
applicant. When a motor vehicle inspection and maintenance 1,005
program is in effect under section 3704.14 of the Revised Code 1,006
and rules adopted under it, each application for registration for 1,007
a vehicle required to be inspected under that section and those 1,008
rules shall be accompanied by an inspection certificate for the 1,009
24
motor vehicle issued in accordance with that section. The 1,010
application shall be refused if any of the following applies: 1,011
(1) The application is not in proper form. 1,013
(2) The application is prohibited from being accepted by 1,015
division (D) of section 2935.27, division (A) of section 1,016
2937.221, division (A) of section 4503.13, division (B) of 1,017
section 4507.168, or division (B)(1) of section 4521.10 of the 1,018
Revised Code.
(3) A certificate of title or memorandum certificate of 1,021
title does not accompany the application. 1,023
(4) All registration and transfer fees for the motor 1,025
vehicle, for the preceding year or the preceding period of the 1,026
current registration year, have not been paid. 1,027
(5) The owner or lessee does not have an inspection 1,029
certificate for the motor vehicle as provided in section 3704.14 1,030
of the Revised Code, and rules adopted under it, if that section 1,031
is applicable. 1,032
This section does not require the payment of license or 1,034
registration taxes on a motor vehicle for any preceding year, or 1,035
for any preceding period of a year, if the motor vehicle was not 1,036
taxable for that preceding year or period under sections 4503.02, 1,037
4503.04, 4503.11, 4503.12, and 4503.16 or Chapter 4504. of the 1,038
Revised Code. When a certificate of registration is issued upon 1,039
the first registration of a motor vehicle by or on behalf of the 1,040
owner, the official issuing the certificate shall indicate the 1,041
issuance with a stamp on the certificate of title or memorandum 1,042
certificate and on the inspection certificate for the motor 1,043
vehicle, if any. The official also shall indicate, by a stamp or 1,044
by such other means as the registrar prescribes, on the 1,045
registration certificate issued upon the first registration of a 1,046
motor vehicle by or on behalf of the owner the odometer reading 1,047
of the motor vehicle as shown in the odometer statement included 1,048
in or attached to the certificate of title. Upon each subsequent 1,049
registration of the motor vehicle by or on behalf of the same 1,050
25
owner, the official also shall so indicate the odometer reading 1,051
of the motor vehicle as shown on the immediately preceding 1,052
certificate of registration. 1,053
The registrar shall include in the permanent registration 1,055
record of any vehicle required to be inspected under section 1,056
3704.14 of the Revised Code the inspection certificate number 1,057
from the inspection certificate that is presented at the time of 1,058
registration of the vehicle as required under this division. 1,059
(C) In addition, a charge of twenty-five cents shall be 1,061
made for each reflectorized safety license plate issued, and a 1,062
single charge of twenty-five cents shall be made for each county 1,063
identification sticker or each set of county identification 1,065
stickers issued, as the case may be, to cover the cost of 1,066
producing the license plates and stickers, including material, 1,067
manufacturing, and administrative costs. Those fees shall be in 1,068
addition to the license tax. If the total cost of producing the 1,069
plates is less than twenty-five cents per plate, or if the total 1,070
cost of producing the stickers is less than twenty-five cents per 1,071
sticker or per set issued, any excess moneys accruing from the 1,072
fees shall be distributed in the same manner as provided by 1,073
section 4501.04 of the Revised Code for the distribution of 1,074
license tax moneys. If the total cost of producing the plates 1,075
exceeds twenty-five cents per plate, or if the total cost of 1,076
producing the stickers exceeds twenty-five cents per sticker or 1,077
per set issued, the difference shall be paid from the license tax 1,079
moneys collected pursuant to section 4503.02 of the Revised Code. 1,080
(D) Each deputy registrar shall be allowed a fee of two 1,082
dollars and twenty-five cents for each application for 1,083
registration and registration renewal notice the deputy registrar 1,085
receives, which shall be for the purpose of compensating the 1,086
deputy registrar for the deputy registrar's services, and such 1,087
office and rental expenses, as may be necessary for the proper 1,089
discharge of the deputy registrar's duties in the receiving of 1,091
applications and renewal notices and the issuing of licenses. 1,092
26
(E) Upon the certification of the registrar, the county 1,094
sheriff or local police officials shall recover license plates 1,095
erroneously or fraudulently issued. 1,096
(F) Each deputy registrar, upon receipt of any application 1,098
for registration or registration renewal notice, together with 1,099
the license fee and any or local motor vehicle license tax levied 1,102
pursuant to Chapter 4504. of the Revised Code, shall transmit 1,103
that fee and tax, if any, in the manner provided in this section, 1,104
together with the original and duplicate copy of the application, 1,105
to the registrar. The registrar, subject to the approval of the 1,106
director of public safety, may deposit the funds collected by 1,107
those deputies in a local bank or depository to the credit of the 1,108
"state of Ohio, bureau of motor vehicles." Where a local bank or 1,109
depository has been designated by the registrar, each deputy 1,110
registrar shall deposit all moneys collected by the deputy 1,111
registrar into that bank or depository not more than one business 1,112
day after their collection and shall make reports to the 1,114
registrar of the amounts so deposited, together with any other 1,115
information, some of which may be prescribed by the treasurer of 1,116
state, as the registrar may require and as prescribed by the 1,117
registrar by rule. The registrar, within three days after 1,118
receipt of notification of the deposit of funds by a deputy 1,119
registrar in a local bank or depository, shall draw on that
account in favor of the treasurer of state. The registrar, 1,121
subject to the approval of the director and the treasurer of 1,122
state, may make reasonable rules necessary for the prompt 1,123
transmittal of fees and for safeguarding the interests of the 1,124
state and of counties, townships, municipal corporations, and 1,125
transportation improvement districts levying local motor vehicle 1,126
license taxes. The registrar may pay service charges usually 1,130
collected by banks and depositories for such service. If deputy 1,131
registrars are located in communities where banking facilities 1,133
are not available, they shall transmit the fees forthwith, by 1,134
money order or otherwise, as the registrar, by rule approved by 1,135
27
the director and the treasurer of state, may prescribe. The 1,136
registrar may pay the usual and customary fees for such service. 1,137
(G) This section does not prevent any person from making 1,139
an application for a motor vehicle license directly to the 1,140
registrar BY MAIL, BY ELECTRONIC MEANS, OR IN PERSON AT ANY OF 1,141
THE REGISTRAR'S OFFICES, upon payment of a SERVICE FEE OF two 1,142
dollars and twenty-five cents service fee for each application. 1,143
(H) No person shall make a false statement as to the 1,145
district of registration in an application required by division 1,146
(A) of this section. Violation of this division is falsification 1,147
under section 2921.13 of the Revised Code and punishable as 1,148
specified in that section. 1,149
(I)(1) Where applicable, the requirements of division (B) 1,151
of this section relating to the presentation of an inspection 1,152
certificate issued under section 3704.14 of the Revised Code and 1,153
rules adopted under it for a motor vehicle, the refusal of a 1,154
license for failure to present an inspection certificate, and the 1,155
stamping of the inspection certificate by the official issuing 1,156
the certificate of registration apply to the registration of and 1,157
issuance of license plates for a motor vehicle under sections 1,158
4503.102, 4503.12, 4503.14, 4503.15, 4503.16, 4503.171, 4503.172, 1,159
4503.19, 4503.40, 4503.41, 4503.42, 4503.43, 4503.44, 4503.46, 1,160
4503.47, and 4503.51 of the Revised Code. 1,161
(2)(a) The registrar shall adopt rules ensuring that each 1,163
owner registering a motor vehicle in a county where a motor 1,164
vehicle inspection and maintenance program is in effect under 1,165
section 3704.14 of the Revised Code and rules adopted under it 1,166
receives information about the requirements established in that 1,167
section and those rules and about the need in those counties to 1,168
present an inspection certificate with an application for 1,169
registration or preregistration. 1,170
(b) Upon request, the registrar shall provide the director 1,172
of environmental protection, or any person that has been awarded 1,173
a contract under division (D) of section 3704.14 of the Revised 1,174
28
Code, an on-line computer data link to registration information 1,175
for all passenger cars, noncommercial motor vehicles, and 1,176
commercial cars that are subject to that section. The registrar 1,177
also shall provide to the director of environmental protection a 1,178
magnetic data tape containing registration information regarding 1,179
passenger cars, noncommercial motor vehicles, and commercial cars 1,180
for which a multi-year registration is in effect under section 1,181
4503.103 of the Revised Code or rules adopted under it, 1,182
including, without limitation, the date of issuance of the 1,183
multi-year registration, the registration deadline established 1,184
under rules adopted under section 4503.101 of the Revised Code 1,185
that was applicable in the year in which the multi-year 1,186
registration was issued, and the registration deadline for 1,187
renewal of the multi-year registration. 1,188
(J) Application for registration under the international 1,190
registration plan, as set forth in sections 4503.60 to 4503.66 of 1,191
the Revised Code, shall be made to the registrar on forms 1,192
furnished by the registrar. In accordance with international 1,193
registration plan guidelines and pursuant to rules adopted by the 1,194
registrar, the forms shall include the following: 1,195
(1) A uniform mileage schedule; 1,197
(2) The gross vehicle weight of the vehicle or combined 1,199
gross vehicle weight of the combination vehicle as declared by 1,200
the registrant; 1,201
(3) Any other information the registrar requires by rule. 1,204
Sec. 4503.102. (A) The registrar of motor vehicles shall 1,213
adopt rules to establish a centralized system of motor vehicle 1,214
registration renewal by mail OR BY ELECTRONIC MEANS. Any person 1,215
owning a motor vehicle that was registered in the person's name 1,216
during the preceding registration year shall renew the 1,218
registration of the motor vehicle NOT MORE THAN NINETY DAYS PRIOR 1,219
TO THE EXPIRATION DATE OF THE REGISTRATION either by mail OR BY 1,220
ELECTRONIC MEANS through the centralized system of registration 1,221
established under this section, or in person at a ANY OFFICE OF 1,222
29
THE REGISTRAR OR AT A deputy registrar's office. 1,223
(B)(1) No less than forty-five days prior to the 1,225
expiration date of any motor vehicle registration, the registrar 1,226
shall mail a renewal notice to the person in whose name the motor 1,227
vehicle is registered. The renewal notice shall clearly state 1,228
that the registration of the motor vehicle may be renewed by mail 1,229
OR ELECTRONIC MEANS through the centralized system of 1,231
registration or in person at ANY OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR OR AT a 1,233
deputy registrar's office and shall be preprinted with 1,234
information including, but not limited to, the owner's name and
residence address as shown in the records of the bureau of motor 1,235
vehicles, a brief description of the motor vehicle to be 1,236
registered, notice of the license taxes and fees due on the motor 1,237
vehicle, the toll-free telephone number of the registrar as 1,238
required under division (D)(1) of section 4503.031 of the Revised 1,239
Code, and any additional information the registrar may require by 1,240
rule. The renewal notice shall be sent by regular mail to the 1,242
owner's last known address as shown in the records of the bureau
of motor vehicles. 1,243
(2) If the application for renewal of the registration of 1,246
a motor vehicle is prohibited from being accepted by the 1,247
registrar or a deputy registrar by division (D) of section 1,248
2935.27, division (A) of section 2937.221, division (A) of 1,249
section 4503.13, division (B) of section 4507.168, or division 1,251
(B)(1) of section 4521.10 of the Revised Code, the registrar is
not required to send a renewal notice to the vehicle owner or 1,252
vehicle lessee.
(C) The owner of the motor vehicle shall verify the 1,254
information contained in the notice, sign it EITHER MANUALLY OR 1,255
BY ELECTRONIC MEANS, and return it, EITHER BY MAIL OR ELECTRONIC 1,256
MEANS, OR THE OWNER MAY TAKE IT in person to ANY OFFICE OF THE 1,258
REGISTRAR OR OF a deputy registrar or by mail to the registrar, 1,259
together with a credit card FINANCIAL TRANSACTION DEVICE number, 1,260
when permitted by rule of the registrar, check, or money order in 1,262
30
the amount of the registration taxes and fees payable on the 1,263
motor vehicle and a mail fee of two dollars and twenty-five cents 1,264
plus postage as indicated on the notice, if the registration is 1,265
renewed by mail, and an inspection certificate for the motor 1,266
vehicle as provided in section 3704.14 of the Revised Code. IF 1,267
THE MOTOR VEHICLE OWNER CHOOSES TO RENEW THE MOTOR VEHICLE 1,268
REGISTRATION BY ELECTRONIC MEANS, THE OWNER SHALL PROCEED IN 1,269
ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES THE REGISTRAR ADOPTS.
(D) If all registration and transfer fees for the motor 1,271
vehicle for the preceding year or the preceding period of the 1,272
current registration year have not been paid, if division (D) of 1,273
section 2935.27, division (A) of section 2937.221, division (A) 1,274
of section 4503.13, division (B) of section 4507.168, or division 1,276
(B)(1) of section 4521.10 of the Revised Code prohibits 1,277
acceptance of the renewal notice, or if the owner or lessee does 1,278
not have an inspection certificate for the motor vehicle as 1,279
provided in section 3704.14 of the Revised Code, if that section 1,280
is applicable, the license shall be refused, and the registrar or 1,281
deputy registrar shall so notify the owner. This section does 1,282
not require the payment of license or registration taxes on a 1,283
motor vehicle for any preceding year, or for any preceding period 1,284
of a year, if the motor vehicle was not taxable for that 1,285
preceding year or period under section 4503.02, 4503.04, 4503.11, 1,286
4503.12, or 4503.16 or Chapter 4504. of the Revised Code. 1,287
(E)(1) Failure to receive a renewal notice does not 1,289
relieve a motor vehicle owner from the responsibility to renew 1,291
the registration for the motor vehicle. Any person who has a 1,292
motor vehicle registered in this state and who does not receive a 1,293
renewal notice as provided in division (B) of this section prior 1,294
to the expiration date of the registration shall request an 1,295
application for registration from the registrar or a deputy 1,296
registrar and return SIGN the signed application MANUALLY OR BY 1,298
ELECTRONIC MEANS AND SUBMIT THE APPLICATION and PAY any 1,299
applicable license taxes and fees to the registrar or deputy 1,300
31
registrar.
(2) If the owner of a motor vehicle submits an application 1,302
for registration and the registrar is prohibited by division (D) 1,303
of section 2935.27, division (A) of section 2937.221, division 1,304
(A) of section 4503.13, division (B) of section 4507.168, or 1,306
division (B)(1) of section 4521.10 of the Revised Code from 1,307
accepting the application, the registrar shall return the 1,308
application and the payment to the owner. IF THE OWNER OF A 1,309
MOTOR VEHICLE SUBMITS A REGISTRATION RENEWAL APPLICATION TO THE 1,310
REGISTRAR BY ELECTRONIC MEANS AND THE REGISTRAR IS PROHIBITED 1,311
FROM ACCEPTING THE APPLICATION AS PROVIDED IN THIS DIVISION, THE 1,312
REGISTRAR SHALL NOTIFY THE OWNER OF THIS FACT AND DENY THE 1,313
APPLICATION AND RETURN THE PAYMENT OR GIVE A CREDIT ON THE 1,314
FINANCIAL TRANSACTION DEVICE ACCOUNT OF THE OWNER IN THE MANNER 1,316
THE REGISTRAR PRESCRIBES BY RULE ADOPTED PURSUANT TO DIVISION (A) 1,317
OF THIS SECTION.
(F) Every deputy registrar shall post in a prominent place 1,319
at the deputy's office a notice informing the public of the mail 1,321
registration system required by this section, and also shall post 1,322
a notice that every owner of a motor vehicle and every chauffeur 1,323
holding a certificate of registration is required to notify the 1,324
registrar in writing of any change of residence within ten days 1,325
after the change occurs. The notice shall be in such form as the 1,326
registrar prescribes by rule. 1,327
(G) The two dollars and twenty-five cents fee, plus 1,329
postage and any credit card FINANCIAL TRANSACTION DEVICE 1,330
surcharge collected by the registrar for registration by mail, 1,332
shall be paid to the credit of the state bureau of motor vehicles 1,333
fund established by section 4501.25 of the Revised Code. 1,334
(H) The PURSUANT TO SECTION 113.40 OF THE REVISED CODE, 1,336
THE registrar may implement a program permitting payment of motor 1,338
vehicle registration taxes and fees, driver's license and 1,339
commercial driver's license fees, and any other taxes, fees, 1,340
penalties, or charges imposed or levied by the state by means of 1,341
32
a credit card FINANCIAL TRANSACTION DEVICE. The registrar may 1,342
adopt rules as necessary for this purpose.
If a person uses a credit card to pay motor vehicle 1,344
registration taxes or fees, license fees, or other similar taxes, 1,345
fees, penalties, or charges imposed or levied by the state as 1,346
provided in this section, a surcharge sufficient to pay the 1,347
required service charge of the financial institution or credit 1,348
card company shall be paid by the person using the credit card. 1,349
(I) For persons who reside in counties where tailpipe 1,351
emissions inspections are required under the motor vehicle 1,352
inspection and maintenance program, the notice required by 1,353
division (B) of this section shall also include the toll-free 1,354
telephone number maintained by the Ohio environmental protection 1,355
agency to provide information concerning the locations of 1,356
emissions testing centers. 1,357
Sec. 4503.20. (A) As used in this section: 1,366
(1) "Dealer engaged in the business of leasing motor 1,368
vehicles" means any person engaged in the business of regularly 1,369
making available, offering to make available, or arranging for 1,370
another person to use a motor vehicle pursuant to a bailment, 1,371
lease, or other contractual arrangement. 1,372
(2) "Motor vehicle" has the meaning set forth in section 1,374
4509.01 of the Revised Code. 1,375
(B) An application for the registration of a motor vehicle 1,377
shall contain a statement, to be signed by the applicant EITHER 1,378
MANUALLY OR BY ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE, that does all of the 1,379
following:
(1) States that the applicant maintains, or has maintained 1,381
on his THE APPLICANT'S behalf, proof of financial responsibility 1,382
at the time of application, and will not operate a motor vehicle 1,384
in this state, unless he THE APPLICANT maintains, with respect to 1,385
that motor vehicle or the operation of such vehicle, proof of
financial responsibility; 1,386
(2) Contains a brief summary of the purposes and operation 1,388
33
of section 4509.101 of the Revised Code, the rights and duties of 1,389
the applicant under that section, and the penalties for violation 1,390
of that section; 1,391
(3) Warns the applicant that the financial responsibility 1,393
law does not prevent the possibility that the applicant may be 1,394
involved in an accident with an owner or operator of a motor 1,395
vehicle who is without proof of financial responsibility. 1,396
(C)(1) A person who purchases any motor vehicle from a 1,398
licensed motor vehicle dealer who agrees to make application for 1,399
registration of the motor vehicle on behalf of the purchaser 1,400
shall sign statements that comply with divisions (B) and (F) of 1,401
this section. The dealer shall submit the statements to the 1,402
deputy registrar where the dealer has agreed to make application 1,403
for registration on behalf of the person. 1,404
(2) In the case of a person who leases any motor vehicle 1,406
from a dealer engaged in the business of leasing motor vehicles 1,407
who agrees to make application for registration of the motor 1,408
vehicle on behalf of the lessee, the person shall sign a 1,409
statement that complies with division (B) of this section, and 1,410
the dealer shall do either of the following: 1,411
(a) Submit the statement signed by the person to the 1,413
deputy registrar where the dealer has agreed to make application 1,414
for registration on behalf of the person; 1,415
(b) Sign and submit a statement to the deputy registrar 1,417
that certifies that a statement has been signed and filed with 1,418
the dealer or incorporated into the lease. 1,419
The dealer shall submit to the registrar or deputy 1,421
registrar to whom he THE DEALER submits the application for 1,422
registration a statement signed by the person that complies with 1,424
division (F) of this section.
(D) The registrar of motor vehicles shall prescribe the 1,426
form of the statements required under divisions (B), (C), and (F) 1,427
of this section, and the manner or manners in which the 1,428
statements required under divisions (B) and (F) of this section 1,429
34
shall be presented to the applicant. Any statement that is 1,430
required under divisions (B), (C), and (F) of this section shall 1,431
be designed to enable the applicant to retain a copy of it. 1,432
(E) Nothing within this section shall be construed to 1,434
excuse a violation of section 4509.101 of the Revised Code. A 1,435
motor vehicle dealer who makes application for the registration 1,436
of a motor vehicle on behalf of the purchaser or lessee of the 1,437
motor vehicle is not liable in damages in any civil action on 1,438
account of the act of making such application for registration or 1,439
the content of any such application for registration.
(F) In addition to the statements required by divisions 1,441
(B) and (C) of this section, a person who makes application for 1,442
registration of a motor vehicle shall be furnished with a form 1,443
that lists in plain language all the possible penalties to which 1,444
a person could be subject for a violation of the financial
responsibility law, including driver's license suspensions; all 1,445
fees, including nonvoluntary compliance and reinstatement fees; 1,446
and vehicle immobilization or impoundment. The person shall read 1,447
THE FORM and EITHER MANUALLY OR BY ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE sign the 1,448
form, which shall be submitted along with the application for 1,449
registration as provided in this section. The form shall be 1,450
retained by the registrar or deputy registrar who issues the 1,451
motor vehicle registration or his THE REGISTRAR'S OR DEPUTY 1,452
REGISTRAR'S successor for a period of two years from the date of
issuance of the registration. 1,453
(G) Upon the registration of a motor vehicle, the owner of 1,455
the motor vehicle is deemed to have agreed to the production of 1,456
proof of financial responsibility by him THE OWNER or the 1,457
operator of the motor vehicle, upon the request of a peace 1,458
officer or state highway patrol trooper made in accordance with 1,459
division (E)(2) of section 4509.101 of the Revised Code. 1,460
(H) THE REGISTRAR SHALL ADOPT RULES GOVERNING THE RENEWAL 1,462
OF MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS BY ELECTRONIC MEANS AND THE 1,463
COMPLETION AND SUBMISSION OF STATEMENTS THAT COMPLY WITH 1,464
35
DIVISIONS (B) AND (F) OF THIS SECTION. THE REGISTRAR SHALL ADOPT 1,465
THE RULES PRESCRIBED BY THIS DIVISION IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHAPTER 1,466
119. OF THE REVISED CODE. 1,467
Section 2. That existing sections 1547.01, 1547.54, 1,469
4501.01, 4503.10, 4503.102, and 4503.20 of the Revised Code are 1,471
hereby repealed.
Section 3. Section 4501.01 of the Revised Code is 1,473
presented in this act as a composite of the section as amended by 1,474
both Am. Sub. H.B. 611 and Am. Sub. S.B. 142 of the 122nd General 1,475
Assembly, with the new language of neither of the acts shown in 1,477
capital letters. This is in recognition of the principle stated 1,478
in division (B) of section 1.52 of the Revised Code that such 1,479
amendments are to be harmonized where not substantively 1,480
irreconcilable and constitutes a legislative finding that such is 1,481
the resulting version in effect prior to the effective date of 1,482
this act.