4501:1-8-10. Registration by electronic means

(A) Pursuant to section 4503.62 of the Revised Code, the registrar of motor vehicles hereby establishes a program to accept applications for vehicle registration transactions for apportionable vehicles electronically over the internet. The registrar shall establish an internet web site for this purpose. This program will initially permit the acceptance of applications for the renewal of vehicle registration transactions for apportionable vehicles, and shall be expanded by the registrar, at the registrar's discretion, to permit initial and other applications for vehicle registration transactions.

(B) Any owner or lessee of an apportionable commercial motor vehicle may apply for initial or renewal registration for that vehicle in accordance with the provisions of this rule. At the discretion of the registrar of motor vehicles, the program also may provide for initial or renewal registration of nonapportionable commercial motor vehicles over the internet.

(C) The internet web site established by the registrar shall contain an application in electronic form containing essentially the same information as prescribed in rule 4501:1-8-09 of the Administrative Code. The vehicle owner shall verify the information contained therein, affix the owner's electronic signature, and return it together with payment of all the registration taxes, fees, and costs due to the registrar by electronic or other approved means, all in accordance with this rule and any instructions prescribed by the registrar.

(D) The completed application shall contain all essential initial or renewal registration information. The vehicle owner or lessee making the application shall verify that the registration information is correct and that the owner or lessee is in full compliance with all state and federal registration requirements, including compliance with Ohio's financial responsibility laws.

(E) The registrar shall prescribe the elements that constitute the owner's or lessee's electronic signature for initial or renewal motor vehicle registrations. The elements may include, but are not limited to, the vehicle's license plate number, the owner's or lessee's social security or taxpayer identification number, a personal identification number (PIN) assigned by the registrar, a derivative of any of the foregoing numbers, or any other electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to or logically associated with the registration record. Compliance with the elements prescribed by the registrar shall evidence the owner's or lessee's intent to sign the application and shall constitute the signature of the vehicle owner or lessee. In addition, the registrar may establish guidelines for accepting documents and signatures by electronic scanning, by facsimile transmission, or by any other reliable means. If necessary to complete the initial or renewal registration process, the registrar may require that additional information be submitted by regular mail or by delivery to a designated registration office.

(F) The internet registration program shall provide an option for the payment of all registration taxes and fees for eligible commercial vehicles by use of a financial transaction device. As used in this rule, "financial transaction device" means a credit card, a debit card, an e-check, or any other device or method for making an electronic payment or transfer of funds approved by the registrar of motor vehicles. The registrar, with the approval of the director of public safety, may contract with a third party to accept and process payments made by use of a financial transaction device on behalf of the bureau of motor vehicles.

(G) All fees associated with payment by use of a financial transaction device shall be borne by the applicants seeking the initial or renewal registration of apportionable or other vehicles under the program established pursuant to this rule. The bureau of motor vehicles shall not pay any costs, and shall not retain any additional fees, associated with the use of a financial transaction device. In providing for payment by the use of a financial transaction device, the registrar may, but is not required to, comply with section 113.40 of the Revised Code.

(H) The registrar may reject any application for initial or renewal registration by electronic means if the application does not comply with any applicable statute, any applicable rule, or any of the instructions prescribed by the registrar.

(I) In carrying out the registrar's duties under this rule, the registrar may contract with outside sources to process any information, send and receive any information or notices, and take any actions on behalf of the registrar as the registrar may prescribe.

Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 11/30/2016 and 06/20/2021
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 4501.02, 4503.10, 4503.62
Rule Amplifies: 4503.62
Prior Effective Dates: 12/31/11

Prior History: (Effective: 12/31/2011
R.C. 119.032 review dates: 12/31/2016
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: R.C. 4501.02, 4503.10, 4503.62
Rule Amplifies: R.C. 4503.62)