Ingram Reflects on Early Impact of License Reform She Championed: Over 429,000 Suspensions Removed, $8.3M in Fees Forgiven

Today, state Senator Catherine Ingram (D-Cincinnati) reflected on the immediate, real-time results of major driver’s license reform legislation that she and state Senator Louis W. Blessing III (R-Colerain Township) introduced as Senate Bill 37. Their bipartisan proposal was ultimately enacted as part of House Bill 29, which became law on April 9, 2025, and was fully implemented by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles as of May 9, 2025.

“Just one month since implementation, we are already seeing the profound impact of this legislation across Ohio,” said Ingram. “We are witnessing the impact of transforming lives, as this bill is helping people drive legally again, return to work, and regain stability.”

A Transformative Law, One Month In

House Bill 29 eliminates certain debt-related driver’s license suspensions, waives reinstatement fees, and reduces long-standing penalties that disproportionately impacted low-income Ohioans. The law:

• Ends suspensions and automatically removes existing suspensions for unpaid court fines/fees tied to minor traffic offenses, school truancy, certain non-driving drug offenses, and failure to show proof of insurance
• Eliminates reinstatement fees for eligible individuals
• Shortens the SR-22 proof of insurance requirement to 1 year
• Expands access to limited driving privileges for child support suspensions

Statewide Impact in Just One Month

• Total Suspensions/Blocks Removed: 429,501
  • 415,889 forfeiture suspensions/blocks
  • 13,612 random selection suspensions/blocks
• Total Reinstatement Fees Forgiven: $8,380,681
• Ohioans Impacted by Forfeiture Removal: 170,510
  • 7,076 now have valid licenses
  • 24,356 may now be eligible to test
• Notifications Sent to Eligible Drivers: 201,024

“These aren’t just numbers. These are lives of workers, parents, and students who now have one less barrier standing in their way,” Ingram added. “We’re proud this started in the Senate, and grateful to Representatives Darnell Brewer and Latyna Humphrey for carrying it forward in the House.”

Senator Ingram encourages Ohioans to ensure their address is up to date with the BMV to receive notifications. For assistance or more information, visit www.ohiolegalaids.org.