Guide
Ohio DMV Records at a Glance
The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, part of the Department of Public Safety, issues driver licenses and keeps driving records. Ohio titles are issued by county clerk of courts title offices, not by the BMV.
Guide
Ohio DMV Resources
Direct Ohio official government links to driver license and registration resources. Vehicle registration, tags, driving history, online forms, office locations, and hours.
- Renewal of Driver License
- First Time License
- Driver License Suspension & Reinstatement
- Address Change
- Copy of Driving Record
- Quick links to online drivers services
- Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
- Online Vehicle Registration
- Renew License Plates Online
- First Time Registrations
- Emission Inspection Information (E-Check)Ohio EPA vehicle emissions testing program
- Vehicle Registration index and links
- Driver License Related
- Online Services
- Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles Contact Information
- Vehicle Registration - Frequently Asked Questions
- Three Wheel Motorcycles and Other Enclosed Three Wheel Vehicles - Titling and Registration Frequently Asked Questions
- IRP Frequently Asked Questions
Guide
Federal & National Authoritative Sources
Straight answers
Ohio DMV Records, questions
Can anyone pull my driving record?
No. The federal DPPA restricts access to 14 permitted purposes. Your employer, insurer, and courts can, with appropriate justification; random strangers cannot.
What is REAL ID and do I need one?
REAL ID is a federal standard for state IDs. After the enforcement deadline, a REAL-ID-compliant license or an alternative (passport, military ID) is required to board domestic flights and enter federal buildings. A standard license still works for driving.
How do I check vehicle recalls?
NHTSA's VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls returns every open safety recall for your specific vehicle, free.
Who issues crash reports?
In Ohio, the agency that worked the crash writes the report, whether the Ohio State Highway Patrol, a county sheriff or a city police department. The Ohio Department of Public Safety sells State Highway Patrol crash reports and photos online; for other crashes, ask the agency that investigated.