Ohio Temporary Tag Requirements & How To Get One
Source: Pixabay
Have you just moved to Ohio and wondered if you can drive your new or existing vehicle? Lucky for you, every state has some form of temporary tags that allow you to drive legally without a permanent registration and license plates – this includes the state of Ohio.
Therefore, if you just moved to Ohio or bought a new vehicle, you may use the state’s temporary tag or license plate to drive your car. Furthermore, Ohio is one of the many states that has made it highly convenient for motorists to apply for and obtain temporary tags or license plates. In addition, the restrictions for these temporary tags are pretty generous and relatively lax – especially when compared to other states.
For today’s post, we’ll talk about Ohio temporary tags, how you can get one, the requirements, and more. Let’s take a look!
What is an Ohio Temporary Tag?
Before you can legally drive on the state roads of Ohio, your car must have license plates, also called tags. These temporary license plates allow you to drive in Ohio if you have no permanent license plate. Needless to say, going without a permanent or temporary tag on your vehicle is highly illegal. However, Ohio temporary tags will come in handy under certain circumstances, like if you bought a new car or if your plate was lost or damaged.
According to Ohio’s R.C § 4510.12, you’re likely to get a first-degree misdemeanor charge which could mean up to 6 months of jail time and up to $1,000 in punitive fines. Therefore, never attempt to drive without a valid driver’s license and license plates. Seriously, please don’t do it because multiple offenses guarantee jail time.
Fortunately, the state of Ohio makes it a breeze for motorists to obtain a temporary tag. You may even apply for it through the internet, so there’s no reason not to procure a transitory tag so you can drive legally.
DOWNLOAD THE FREE APP
The CoPilot car shopping app is the smartest way to buy a car. Get a curated list of the best cars for sale in your area, as well as notifications if a similar vehicle is listed nearby at a lower price. CoPilot is the smartest way to shop for used cars.
How Do You Obtain an Ohio Temporary Tag? What are the Requirements?
Buyers of brand new cars from a licensed dealer won’t have to worry about obtaining a temporary tag because the dealer has got you covered. The temporary license plates provided by the dealer are effective immediately and entered into the state’s database. Licensed dealers can print out temporary tags on-demand when a customer needs them through a web service.
For your information, licensed dealers can purchase and print licensed temporary tags for $15. However, the law requires them to not charge customers more than $20 for the temporary license plate. You can read this Temporary Tag Information page for dealers to learn more. What if you have lost or damaged your license plates?
In case your license plate has been damaged or lost, the state of Ohio offers a convenient print-at-home service through the OPLATES website. This service allows you to print your temporary tags in the comfort of your home without visiting the deputy registrar’s office. There are three requirements before you can print your temporary tag:
- Your vehicle’s license plate number
- The last four digits of your social security number (or 0000 if you don’t have one)
- A $20 fee
Once you’ve completed the payment, you can print the temporary tag through a home printer. Drivers are encouraged to put the printed license plate in their back window or a plastic sleeve and insert it into the plate bracket. In addition, Ohio temporary tags are effective for 45 days which is a nice touch compared to many states that generally offer 30 days for temporary license plates.
When Do You Need Temporary Tags?
Temporary tags are designed so you can drive while trying to obtain your permanent plates and registration. There are multiple reasons why one would require temporary tags. These reasons may not apply to your state and are more of a generalized breakdown.
You Purchased a Brand New or Used Vehicle
Whether you bought a new or used vehicle, you’ll likely need a temporary tag or plate so you can drive your car while waiting for your complete registration. Depending on your state, the process may take quite a while. However, in the state of Ohio, temporary tags can be issued by dealers
or printed from the internet. Highly convenient!
You Need to Complete a Safety Inspection
If you bought a used car or own an old vehicle, some states require you to pass a safety inspection to receive a complete registration. In this case, some states provide temporary tags (usually with a 30-day limitation), so you can set up and complete the safety inspection. Of course, you’ll need to drive to a safety inspection station to take the test. The state of Ohio
doesn’t require safety inspections.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO TINT CAR WINDOWS?
Different tints block different levels of UV light and in the long run can prevent sun damage to your skin and eyes, but how much does it cost to tint car windows? We’ve got the answer.
You Moved from Out-of-State
You’d need to register your vehicle again if you moved from out of state. While you process your new registration, the state can issue a temporary tag so you can legally drive.
Ohio Temporary Tags: Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a temporary tag cost?
Whether you visit the deputy registrar’s office, buy from a dealer, or complete your application online, the processing fee for Ohio temporary tags is $20. Remember that dealerships are bound by law not to charge customers more than $20 for a temporary tag.
Does Ohio offer extensions for its temporary tags?
No. A temporary tag from Ohio has a 45-day expiration date, which is certainly more generous than many states. Therefore, in place of extending the transitory tags, motorists can take advantage of the 45-days deadline.
THE 10 MOST RELIABLE AMERICAN CARS
Because the car buying experience is so stressful, it’s helpful to go into the dealership with information ahead of time. Therefore, we’ve curated a list of the 10 most reliable American cars so you can approach the process from a place of empowerment.
Can you drive a car without temporary tags in Ohio?
Technically, you can, but legally, you absolutely cannot. Wherever you are in the United States, driving without a valid driver’s license and license plates is not legal. Any infraction may result in jail time and hefty fines. This is for the safety of everyone and highlights the importance of having temporary tags. With the ability to get print-at-home tags in Ohio, there’s no excuse why you can’t have them.
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
The CoPilot car shopping app is the easiest way to buy a car. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll search the inventories of every dealership in your area to make you a personalized list of the best car listings in your area.
Only looking for newer models? CoPilot Compare is the search engine for nearly-new cars. Only see cars five years or newer with low mileage — CoPilot Compare is the best way to find off-lease, early trade-in, and CPO cars.
The best part? CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars. Check out our About Us page to see how CoPilot works.
