Ohio to start issuing new licenses that meet federal regulations Monday
07.02.2018
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX/WTTE) — Starting Monday, Ohio drivers will have to wait to get their new licenses.
The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles announced starting July 2, licenses will be made at a central production facility to meet updated federal regulations that go into effect in 2020.
"Licenses and identification cards will no longer be produced while you wait at each of the more than 180 Deputy Registrar offices statewide," said the BMV in a release. Customers will instead receive their licenses and identification cards in the mail.
The BMV said new licenses and identification cards should arrive in about 10 days after visiting a Deputy Registrar. A temporary proof of transaction would be issued at the time of sale per the BMV to confirm driving privileges until the card arrives in the mail.
Here's the full list of changes Ohioans can expect starting Monday:
Receiving their state driver licenses and identification cards by mail in about 10 days after visiting a Deputy Registrar;
Receiving a temporary card/confirmation of driving privileges until the card arrives in the mail; and having the option to have a driver license or identification card that is acceptable for federal identification purposes.
One of the major factors for making the change was the new federal restrictions requiring secure identification go into effect October 2020. The BMV says Ohio is getting a jump start by making the change this year.
Customers not wishing to have their licenses meet the new federal requirements will also have that option per the BMV.
Ohioans will still need to start the new license/ identification card process at the BMV.
The only visual difference between Ohio's compliant and standard cards is the star in the upper part of the card. Those who have another form of federal identification, such as a valid U.S. passport or passport card, may decide to have a standard card.
