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How to Renew/Replace a Motorcycle License in Ohio

Updated on Thu, 4/28/2011

HOW TO RENEW YOUR MOTORCYCLE LICENSE

A Ohio Motorcycle License can be renewed in person at any BMV office in the State. The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles notifies owners of the expiration date of their motorcycle license by mail in advance.

WHEN TO RENEW YOUR MOTORCYCLE LICENSE

An Ohio Motorcycle License is usually valid for four years and expires on your birthday. If you are under 21, your license expires on your 21st birthday. Your Ohio motorcycle license can be renewed anytime prior to its expiration, but it is advisable to renew it within the 90 days leading up to the expiry date. If you renew your license more than 90 days before its expiration date, it will expire on the fourth birthday from date of issuance. (In effect, you will only get three year validity for your renewed license). For someone under 21, it is advisable to renew your license within 30 days of your 21st birthday to get the four year validity. For some one who birthday falls on February 29, the date of expiration is taken as March 1 for non-leap years.

TO RENEW IN PERSON

You must bring:

  • Your expiring motorcycle license or Proof of Identity if the expiring license is not available.
  • If your name has changed, a court-issued documentation of the name change is required.
  • Appropriate renewal renewal fee payable by cash, check, money order, or certified cashier checks.
  • You need to take a vision screening test every time you renew your Ohio motorcycle license.
Note: If your license expired six months ago, then you have to start from the beginning by getting a temporary permit and then taking all the examinations all over again.

HOW TO REPLACE YOUR MOTORCYCLE LICENSE

A Ohio Motorcycle License can be replaced in person at any BMV office in the State.

WHEN TO REPLACE YOUR MOTORCYCLE LICENSE

You must replace your motorcycle license if your original license has been lost, stolen or destroyed.

TO REPLACE IN PERSON

You must:
  1. Bring proper identification. The state of Ohio requires that you present one piece of primary ID and one piece of secondary ID when applying for a duplicate motorcycle license to satisfactorily prove the Name, Date of Birth and the Social Security Number. Persons under the age of 18 must bring their certified birth certificate, one piece of secondary ID, and be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian with a documentary proof of identification.
  2. Bring the correct renewal fee. Credit cards are not accepted. Please contact your BMV office to confirm the fee before applying in person, since fees may vary.
  3. If your motorcycle license will expire within the next 90 days, you can apply for renewal instead of a replacement.
Note: Ohio residents who are temporarily out of state and unable to apply in person may be able to apply for a duplicate motorcycle license through the mail. Such persons may include military personnel or students who are either out of the state or country, among others. Please call the Ohio Driver's License Division at (614) 752-7600 for more information.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION