If you live in Ohio and your license to do anything is about to expire, you’ve got a problem. Thanks to the COVID-19 shutdown, the BMV isn’t renewing or issuing licenses or IDs. You can’t get into the Sheriff’s Office to renew your conceal carry permit. The places that process your professional license paperwork aren’t open.
We’ve heard from many of you who are worried that they won’t be able to cash a check or buy some beer to go. But don’t worry, it’s going to be fine. Here’s what’s happening with licences in Ohio:
Conceal Carry License
As you’ve probably heard by now, the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office has suspended all of the routine non-essential work at their Administrative Office. That includes processing new conceal carry licenses and renewing existing ones.
Normally, you only have a 30-day grace period to carry your weapon after the license expires. And if your license expired prior to March 9, you’re out of luck.
But if your license was up for renewal after that date, I’ve got good news. Ohio House Bill 197 keeps your license active for 90 days past the end of the COVID-19 emergency or December 1st 2020, whichever comes first.
Professional Licenses
What about other licenses? The same law also extends professional licenses. Professional licenses include things like CDL permits for truck drivers, nursing licenses, CPA licenses, and teaching licenses. This does not put a pause on any disciplinary proceeding someone might be facing that could cause them to lose a license.
Drivers Licenses
What about drivers’ licenses? The BMV has closed up shop except for issuing new CDL permits.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has ordered the Ohio State Patrol not to issue any tickets for licenses that expired after March 18 or that will expire while the the state is in COVID-19 lockdown. He also asked that other law enforcement agencies do the same.
Auto insurance companies are not allowed to suspend your coverage for an expired license during this time or raise your rates because the license expired.
All Ohio licenses that expire after March 9 will remain valid until 90 days after the emergency ends or December 1, 2020, whichever happens first. Those include:
- Driver’s License
- CDL Permits
- Ohio ID Cards
- Temporary Instruction Permits
The same holds true for vehicle registrations and temporary tags. And though it’s unlikely that many of us will be doing much traveling, the TSA will accept licenses that expired after March 1 for air travel.