A new law in the Midwest is set to benefit thousands of drivers by eliminating unpaid fines in the United States. A new rule will be implemented in Ohio, USA, allowing drivers who pay unpaid fines or court fees, many of which date back years, to have their driver’s license suspensions lifted. The new order, which went into effect on April 9, comes with a warning of several procedures that state and local courts and specific drivers must follow to maintain order.
This new law will reinstate licenses for over 600,000 drivers with unpaid fines
What is certain is that from now on, courts will no longer be able to request immediate license suspensions when drivers have not paid a fine or any court fee. In addition, drivers whose suspensions have been lifted under this new law will no longer have to pay state fees to reinstate their licenses. Another benefit for drivers is that the blocking of vehicle registrations related to suspensions will also be eliminated. It is important to highlight that the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the courts have until May 9 to terminate and lift the driver’s license suspensions. Authorities in Ohio, United States, have not determined how many active suspensions will be eliminated. While politicians claim the bill will assist hundreds of thousands of drivers in the United States, supporters of the proposal believe that approximately 600,000 drivers are currently suspended.
Collectives that advocated for the bill estimated that approximately 600,000 drivers were suspended, which included harsh fines and payment charges. Now, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles faces a complication in the process: local court orders sent to the state do not always indicate the reason for the suspension. This prompts the agency to contact the local courts to determine the actual reason for the suspension. The truth is that these courts need to specify which suspensions need to be removed.
Despite the new rules imposed by the new law, courts have the authority to issue an arrest warrant or citation if a person fails to appear in court, submit a statement, or pay penalties and fees for a minor traffic offense. Because the case of a suspension has been removed by the new law in Ohio, U.S.A., no costs will be required to reinstate your license. If this document is suspended and has expired for more than six months, you must retake the driving test. Upon lifting a driver’s license suspension or registration, you still need to pay any fines or court fees related to your case, including traffic tickets, even after the suspension is lifted.
A new law will impact immigrant drivers
Concerns about immigration, ethics, and the new law are being raised by Republican-led states like Florida and Tennessee, which are restricting or outlawing driver’s licenses granted to unauthorized immigrants from other states in advance of federal REAL ID enforcement. Large welcome signs are typically seen as cars traverse US highways. However, not everyone is accepted in every state, particularly undocumented immigrants who hold driver’s licenses from other jurisdictions. Legislation has been passed or proposed in Florida, Wyoming, and now Tennessee that forbids those with certain licenses, usually granted to undocumented immigrants in other states, from lawfully driving within their boundaries. These initiatives are a part of a larger push to strengthen immigration enforcement in states with Republican governors.
In 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation that forbids states like Delaware and Connecticut from recognizing licenses from those states if they are issued solely to undocumented immigrants or are indicated as indicating a lack of legal status. If you drive in Florida with one of these licenses, you could face penalties or perhaps jail time. For the time being, only Connecticut and Delaware specifically marked licenses are impacted, according to Florida’s DMV. Approximately 60,700 of these “drive-only” permits have been granted by Connecticut. According to the Associated Press, the governor of Tennessee is ready to sign a bill of such kind. Similar legislation is being considered in at least six other Republican-controlled states, such as Alabama, Montana, and New Hampshire. Legislators in Alabama have even proposed putting up signs on the highway to alert drivers to the limitations.
Advocates claim that the new law will deter illegal immigration and travel within respective states. Critics warn that the restrictions could penalize innocent tourists who are not aware of the legal subtleties, but they also see them as discriminatory and harsh. REAL ID-compliant licenses will be required by the federal government starting on May 7 to travel by air or enter federal buildings. States may still grant illegal residents non-REAL ID licenses, meanwhile, if they fulfill some minimal standards, like passing a driving or vision exam.
