The Ohio Revised Code is the body of law that
governs vehicles in the State of Ohio. This compilation of sections relate to
motor vehicle ownership, licensing, operation, equipment and other vehicle
issues.
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It is very important
that the prospective owner of a restored or assembled military
vehicle or specialized / custom vehicle understand these laws, and
how they may relate to his/her particular vehicle. There are many
horror stories, some of them true, about car owners who have had
serious difficulties licensing or operating their
"special" vehicle. The problem often rests on the fact
that most police officials are not fully aware of all these laws. In
other cases the laws are so vague that interpretation is required. This
interpretation is provided by the Ohio State Patrol, is not
published, and may vary from inspection point to inspection point.
DO NOT EXPECT EVEN THE VEHICLE INSPECTORS TO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE
LOOKING AT! |
If you are restoring or modifying a vehicle one of
the most important concerns should be the
vehicle identification number (VIN). Using this number is the only way a
vehicle can be licensed. If the vehicle's VIN and the bill of sale or previous
title (if the vehicle has been brought in from out of state) DO NOT MATCH, you
have real problems. Make sure that before you finalize any purchase that
whatever paperwork showing ownership and the actual VIN are correct.
Another surprise comes when an owner has had to
modify the vehicle in the area of the VIN so that it either illegible or
missing. For most restorers of historically important vehicle this can result
in the vehicle having a Ohio State VIN assigned. This may affect the value and
"collectability" of the vehicle. Make sure you do not polish, grind,
weld over, or cut out the VIN. Try to make sure it is reasonably visible.
VIN "plates" are often used together
with stamped frame numbers. These are usually attached to the body or frame
with rivets. Some of the later models use rivets that are not available
because of vehicle theft problems. Vehicle restorers have taken the VIN plates
off their precious machines and then after the paint dried, carefully replaced
them with pop rivets or sheet metal screws. This is a sure way to get the
plate removed and a new number assigned. When working around a VIN plate make
every effort to leave the plate and its attachments alone. Remember, if the
numbers seem to have been "changed", your jeep could go to the
impound yard until the mess is straightened out! You
might even face pending investigation of charges of VIN tampering or vehicle theft!
Imagine seeing your pride and joy rolling into an impound yard to sit,
uncovered and in the rain, until the problem has been resolved. Not a pretty
sight!
THE VEHICLE CODE OF OHIO
The Vehicle Code is the "bible" for our
laws. Title 4501 is that portion dealing with vehicles. Every police officer
has (or should have) a copy of that section with them. I have put this section
together with the hopes that you can be informed of the law BEFORE you have a
problem with the ownership, licensing or operation of your vehicle.
The sections listed here are directly linked
to the State's published code. Although the text will come directly from
the state's computer files, we by no means guarantee the accuracy of
the laws. It is important to remember that while the legislature is in
session, bills are being passed on a daily basis. In most cases these
new bills must then be signed by the Governor, and then a period of time must
pass before the bill becomes law. This means that the code sections
listed may change from time to time, especially after the legislative
sessions.
Here is your direct link to the State of Ohio's
statutes, as provided by
Anderson's Ohio Online Docs.
IMPORTANT - YOU MUST CLICK ON YOUR WEB
BROWSER'S "BACK" BUTTON TO RETURN FROM THE VEHICLE CODE PAGES TO
THIS PAGE.
The effective dates and other notes are always
at the bottom of each page. Remember to look for them.
Remember
that the pages are not on this web site; they are provided through the State of
Ohio.
TIME SAVING HINT: If you SAVE
this file on your computer's hard disk you may then OPEN it with your web
browser (when you are on-line with your Internet Service Provider) and click
on the links to read the code sections
SOME QUICK SECTIONS
FROM THE VEHICLE CODE
§ 4501.01. Definitions.
As used in this chapter and Chapters 4503.,
4505., 4507., 4509., 4510., 4511., 4513., 4515., and 4517. of the Revised
Code, and in the penal laws, except as otherwise provided:
(F) "Collector's vehicle" means any
motor vehicle or agricultural tractor or traction engine that is of special
interest, that has a fair market value of one hundred dollars or more, whether
operable or not, and that is owned, operated, collected, preserved, restored,
maintained, or used essentially as a collector's item, leisure pursuit, or
investment, but not as the owner's principal means of transportation.
"Licensed collector's vehicle" means a collector's vehicle, other
than an agricultural tractor or traction engine, that displays current, valid
license tags issued under section
4503.45 of the Revised Code, or a similar type of motor vehicle that
displays current, valid license tags issued under substantially equivalent
provisions in the laws of other states.
(G) "Historical motor vehicle" means any motor vehicle that is over
twenty-five years old and is owned solely as a collector's item and for
participation in club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades, and similar
uses, but that in no event is used for general transportation.
§ 4503.181. Historical
motor vehicles.
(A) As used in this section, “historical
motor vehicle” means any motor vehicle that is more than twenty-five
years old and that is owned solely as a collector’s item and for
participation in club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades, and
similar uses, but in no event is used for general transportation.
(B) In lieu of the annual license tax levied in sections 4503.02
and 4503.04 of the Revised Code, a license fee of ten dollars is
levied on the operation of an historical motor vehicle.
(C) A person who owns an historical motor vehicle and applies
for license plates under this section shall execute an affidavit
that the vehicle for which plates are requested is owned and
operated solely for the purposes enumerated in division (A) of this
section, and also setting forth in the affidavit that the vehicle
has been inspected and found safe to operate on the public roads and
highways in the state. A person who owns an historical motor vehicle
and desires to display model year license plates on the vehicle as
permitted by this section shall execute at the time of registration
an affidavit setting forth that the model year license plates the
person desires to display on the person’s historical motor vehicle
are legible and serviceable license plates that originally were
issued by this state. No registration issued pursuant to this
section need specify the weight of the vehicle.
(D) A vehicle registered under this section may display
historical vehicle license plates issued by the registrar of motor
vehicles or model year license plates procured by the applicant.
Historical vehicle license plates shall not bear a date, but shall
bear the inscription “Historical Vehicle — Ohio” and the
registration number, which shall be shown thereon. Model year
license plates shall be legible and serviceable license plates
issued by this state and inscribed with the date of the year
corresponding to the model year when the vehicle was manufactured.
Notwithstanding section 4503.21 of the Revised Code, only one model
year license plate is required to be displayed on the rear of the
historical motor vehicle at all times. The registration certificate
and the historical vehicle license plates issued by the registrar
shall be kept in the vehicle at all times the vehicle is operated on
the public roads and highways in this state.
(NOTE THIS SECTION IF YOU HAVE AN OLD MILITARY VEHICLE ed.)
Notwithstanding section 4503.21 of
the Revised Code, the owner of an historical motor vehicle that
was manufactured for military purposes and that is registered
under this section may display the assigned registration number
of the vehicle by painting the number on the front and rear of
the vehicle. The number shall be painted, in accordance with the
size and style specifications established for numerals and
letters shown on license plates in section 4503.22 of the
Revised Code, in a color that contrasts clearly with the color
of the vehicle, and shall be legible and visible at all times.
Upon application for registration under this section and payment
of the license fee prescribed in division (B) of this section,
the owner of such an historical motor vehicle shall be issued
historical vehicle license plates. The registration certificate
and at least one such license plate shall be kept in the vehicle
at all times the vehicle is operated on the public roads and
highways in this state. If ownership of such a vehicle is
transferred, the transferor shall surrender the historical
vehicle license plates or transfer them to another historical
motor vehicle the transferor owns, and remove or obliterate the
registration numbers painted on the vehicle.
(E) Historical vehicle and model year license plates are valid
without renewal as long as the vehicle for which they were issued or
procured is in existence. Historical vehicle plates are issued for
the owner’s use only for such vehicle unless later transferred to
another historical motor vehicle owned by that person. In order to
effect such a transfer, the owner of the historical motor vehicle
that originally displayed the historical vehicle plates shall comply
with division (C) of this section. In the event of a transfer of
title, the transferor shall surrender historical vehicle license
plates or transfer them to another historical motor vehicle owned by
the transferor, but model year license plates may be retained by the
transferor. The registrar may revoke license plates issued under
this section, for cause shown and after hearing, for failure of the
applicant to comply with this section. Upon revocation, historical
vehicle license plates shall be surrendered; model year license
plates may be retained, but no longer are valid for display on the
vehicle.
(F) The owner of an historical motor vehicle bearing
historical vehicle license plates may replace them with model year
license plates by surrendering the historical vehicle license plates
and motor vehicle certificate of registration to the registrar. The
owner, at the time of registration, shall execute an affidavit
setting forth that the model year plates are legible and serviceable
license plates that originally were issued by this state. Such an
owner is required to pay the license fee prescribed by division (B)
of this section, but the owner is not required to have the
historical motor vehicle reinspected under division (C) of this
section.
A person who owns an historical motor vehicle bearing model
year license plates may replace them with historical vehicle license
plates by surrendering the motor vehicle certificate of registration
and applying for issuance of historical vehicle license plates. Such
a person is required to pay the license fee prescribed by division
(B) of this section, but the person is not required to have the
historical motor vehicle reinspected under division (C) of this
section.
Effective Date: 07-29-1998
HISTORY: 125 v 229 (Eff 10-2-53); 129 v 1087 (Eff
10-2-61); 130 v 1046 (Eff 1-23-63); 130 v 1047 (Eff 7-26-63); 135 v S 204 (Eff
11-21-73); 144 v H 165 (Eff 12-17-91); 146 v H 353 (Eff 9-17-96); 147 v S 213.
Eff 7-29-98.
§ 4506.12. Classes of licenses;
endorsements; restrictions.
(Editor's Note: This section is important to those
of you who may transport persons other than friends & family, such as
veterans in a parade. It is your responsibility to make sure that you are
operating your military vehicle in conformance with Ohio law. It also might be
a good idea to consider what is termed an "Umbrella Insurance
Policy" with a very high limit, such as $1,000,000. It's better than
losing everything with little Bubba falls out of your truck!
(A) Commercial drivers' licenses shall be issued in the following
classes and shall include any endorsements and restrictions that are
applicable. Subject to any such endorsements and restrictions, the holder of a
valid commercial driver's license may drive all commercial motor vehicles in
the class for which that license is issued
and all lesser classes of vehicles, except that the holder shall not operate a
motorcycle unless the holder is licensed to do so under Chapter
4507. of the Revised Code.
(B) The classes of commercial drivers'
licenses and the commercial motor vehicles that they authorize the operation
of are as follows:
(1) Class A - any combination of vehicles with a
combined gross vehicle weight rating of twenty-six thousand one pounds or
more, if the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle or vehicles being
towed is in excess of ten thousand pounds.
(2) Class B - any single vehicle with a gross
vehicle weight rating of twenty-six thousand one pounds or more or any such
vehicle towing a vehicle having a gross vehicle weight rating that is not in
excess of ten thousand pounds.
(3) Class C - any single vehicle, or combination
of vehicles, that is not a class A or class B vehicle, but that either is
designed to transport sixteen or more passengers, including the driver, or
is placarded for hazardous materials and any school bus with a gross vehicle
weight rating of less than twenty-six thousand one pounds that is designed
to transport fewer than sixteen passengers including the driver.
(C) The following endorsements and
restrictions apply to commercial drivers' licenses:
(1) H - authorizes the driver to drive a vehicle
transporting hazardous materials;
(2) K - restricts the driver to only intrastate
operation;
(3) L - restricts the driver to vehicles not
equipped with air brakes;
(4) T - authorizes the driver to drive double
and triple trailers;
(5) P - authorizes the driver to drive vehicles
carrying passengers;
(6) P1 - authorizes the driver to drive class A
vehicles with fewer than fifteen passengers and all lesser classes of
vehicles without restriction as to the number of passengers;
(7) P2 - authorizes the driver to drive class A
or B vehicles with fewer than fifteen passengers and all lesser classes of
vehicles without restriction as to the number of passengers;
(8) P3 - restricts the driver to driving class B
school buses;
(9) P4 - Restricts the driver to driving class C
school buses designed to transport fewer than sixteen passengers including
the driver.
(10) N - authorizes the driver to drive tank
vehicles; (Note - this doesn't mean tracked vehicles)
(11) S - authorizes the driver to drive school
buses;
(12) X - authorizes the driver to drive tank
vehicles transporting hazardous materials;
(13) W - restricts the driver to the operation
of commercial motor vehicles in accordance with a waiver for farm-related
service industries issued under section
4506.24 of the Revised Code.
(D) No person shall drive any commercial
motor vehicle for which an endorsement is required under this section unless
the proper endorsement appears on the person's commercial driver's license.
(E) Whoever violates this section is guilty
of a misdemeanor of the first degree.
HISTORY: 143 v H 381 (Eff 7-1-89); 143 v H 88 (Eff
3-13-90); 143 v H 831 (Eff 7-17-90); 144 v H 485. Eff 7-8-92; 149 v S 123, §
1, eff. 1-1-04.
§ 4509.44. Proof of financial
responsibility required for registration.
No motor vehicle shall be or continue to
be registered in the name of any person required to file proof of financial
responsibility unless such proof is furnished and maintained in accordance
with section
4509.45 of the Revised Code.
HISTORY: GC § 6298-58; 124 v 563(577);
Bureau of Code Revision, 10-1-53; 131 v 1093. Eff 10-30-65
