4501:1-7-10. Retention of standard license plate numbers and letters

(A) As used in this rule:

(1) "Standard license plate" means a license plate issued to the owner or lessee of a vehicle without any special number and letter combination available under sections 4503.40 and 4503.42 of the Revised Code;

(2) "Distinctive standard number" means the distinctive numbers and letters assigned to each standard license plate by the registrar of motor vehicles or issuing deputy registrar; and

(3) "Logo license plate" means a license plate bearing the distinctive logo or description of any organization that is eligible for a special license plate including, without limitation, military and veteran organizations, colleges, and universities, and special interest groups.

(B) Except as provided in paragraphs (D) and (E) of this rule, any person who is replacing vehicle license plates, upon request and payment of a fee of ten dollars, may retain the distinctive standard number on license plates previously issued to that person in accordance with this rule.

(C) Distinctive standard number plates shall be produced using the sheeting that is then being used for standard license plate production.

(D) The distinctive standard number may be retained from a previous license plate to a new license plate only within the same general license plate class as follows:

(1) From a previous standard license plate to a new standard license plate;

(2) From a logo license plate to a new logo license plate;

(3) From a disability license plate to a new disability license plate;

(4) From a historical license plate to a new historical license plate;

(5) From a collector's license plate to a new collector's license plate;

(6) From a motorcycle license plate to a new motorcycle license plate;

(7) From a military or veteran license plate to a new military or veteran license plate;

(8) From an all-purpose vehicle (APV) license plate to a new APV license plate;

and

(9) For any other class of license plate as approved by the registrar of motor vehicles.

(E) This rule does not permit the retention of the license plate numbers and letters under the following transactions:

(1) A person who is replacing license plates originally obtained under section 4503.40 or section 4503.42 of the Revised Code. Such a person shall pay the additional fee required under the applicable section to retain the distinctive license plates previously issued; or

(2) A person who is replacing a single, duplicate license plate due to the loss, mutilation, or destruction of a license plate.

Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 11/30/2016 and 11/01/2021
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 4501.02, 4503.192
Rule Amplifies: 4503.192
Prior Effective Dates: 11/13/14

Prior History: (Effective: 11/13/2014
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 12/29/2016
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 4501.02, 4503.192
Rule Amplifies: 4503.192)