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By Ron Calhoun
A new law, House Bill 29 (H.B. 29), will soon make it easier for Ohio drivers to keep their licenses. Right now, people can lose their driver’s licenses for things that don’t always involve bad driving, like not paying court fines or child support. This law changes that. It will go into effect on April 9, 2025.
The law will help many Ohioans keep their licenses to drive to work, care for their families, and live their daily lives without worry. Here are the most important changes:
No More Losing Your License for Unpaid Fines
Before, if someone didn’t have enough money to pay a small traffic ticket, they could lose their license. That made it harder to work and earn money to pay the fine. Now, the court must offer a payment plan instead of taking away a person’s license.
Parents Can Keep Their Licenses if They’re Behind on Child Support
If a parent owes child support, their license could be taken away. What if that parent needs their car for work to earn money? They can now show proof that keeping their license will help them pay child support. Also, the court must give them 30 extra days before taking their license.
Students Won’t Lose Their Licenses for Skipping School
Before, students who missed too much school (truancy) could lose their licenses. But this punishment didn’t help students stay in school. H.B. 29 removes this rule. If a student already lost their license for truancy, they can apply to get it back.
Lighter Penalties for Driving Without Insurance
If someone was caught driving without car insurance, they could be punished for up to five years! Now, that time is shortened to just one year.
Other helpful changes include:
- Giving drivers 45 days (instead of 15 days) to show proof of insurance before their license is taken.
- Ending a $50 fine for not turning in a suspended license.
- Automatically reinstating licenses for people affected by old insurance rules.
More Safety Rules for Railroad Crossings
Drivers already stop for trains, but now, they must also stop for maintenance vehicles (big machines that work on the tracks).
- School bus drivers and truck drivers carrying dangerous materials must also stop and check for oncoming maintenance vehicles.
- If a driver doesn’t stop, they may take a safety class instead of paying a fine or going to jail.
Why This Law Matters
Many people need their car for work, school, or family. In the past, people lost their licenses for reasons not related to dangerous driving. This new law helps fix that problem.
“Taking away someone’s license just because they can’t afford a fine isn’t fair,” said a supporter of the bill. “This new law helps people stay on the road and take care of their responsibilities.”
Some people worry that fewer penalties could mean more uninsured drivers. Lawmakers, however, say proof of insurance is still required, and drivers who don’t follow the rules will still be penalized.
What Happens Next?
- H.B. 29 starts on April 9, 2025.
- People with old suspensions for unpaid fines, truancy, or old insurance rules will get their licenses back automatically.
- The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles and courts must clear these suspensions by May 9.
This new law means more people will keep their licenses, drive to work, and support their families.
What do you think about H.B. 29? Tell us at [email protected] or join the conversation on Instagram.
