LICENSING

Columbus City Codes tit. 21, ch. 2141

in effect

Columbus City Codes § 2141.01 Definitions.

2141.01 - Definitions. As used in the Traffic Code: (a) "Cancel" or "cancellation" means the annulment or termination by the bureau of motor vehicles of a driver's license, commercial driver's license, temporary instruction permit, probationary license, or nonresident operating privilege because it was obtained unlawfully, issued in error, altered, or willfully destroyed, or because the holder no longer is entitled to the license, permit, or privilege. (b) "Drug abuse offense," "cocaine," and "L.S.D." have the same meanings as in Section 2925.01 of the Ohio Revised Code. (c) "Ignition interlock device" has the same meaning as in Section 4510.01 of the Ohio Revised Code. (d) "Immobilizing or disabling device" has the same meaning as in Section 4510.01 of the Ohio Revised Code. (e) "Moving violation" means any violation of any statute or ordinance that regulates the operation of vehicles, streetcars, or trackless trolleys on the highways or streets. "Moving violation" does not include a violation of Section 4513.263 of the Ohio Revised Code or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, a violation of any statute or ordinance regulating pedestrians or the parking of vehicles, vehicle size or load limitations, vehicle fitness requirements, or vehicle registration. (f) "Prototype device" means any testing device to monitor limited driving privileges that has not yet been approved or disapproved by the Ohio Director of Public Safety. (g) "Suspend" or "suspension" means the permanent or temporary withdrawal, by action of a court or the bureau of motor vehicles, of a driver's license, commercial driver's license, temporary instruction permit, probationary license, or nonresident operating privilege for the period of the suspension or the permanent or temporary withdrawal of the privilege to obtain a license, permit, or privilege of that type for the period of the suspension. (h) "Controlled substance" and "marihuana" have the same meanings as in Section 3719.01 of the Ohio Revised Code. (i) As used in Chapter 2141, "drug of abuse" has the same meaning as in Section 4506.01 of the Revised Code. (ORC §§ 4510.01; 4510.011; Ord. 2120-03 § 1 (part): Ord. 2276-2006 § 1 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 2141.02 Temporary instruction permit.

2141.02 - Temporary instruction permit. (a) No person who holds a temporary instruction permit and temporary instruction permit identification card issued under Section 4507.05 of the Ohio Revised Code shall operate a motor vehicle upon a street or highway or any public of private property used by the public for purposes of vehicular travel or parking in this City in violation of the conditions established under division (A) of Section 4507.05 of the Ohio Revised Code. (b) No person who holds a temporary instruction permit and temporary instruction permit identification card to operate a motorcycle or motorized bicycle shall operate a motorcycle or motorized bicycle upon a street or highway or any public or private property used by the public for purposes of vehicular travel or parking in this City in violation of the conditions established by the registrar of the bureau of motor vehicles and as established under division (B) of Section 4507.05 of the Ohio Revised Code. (c) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. (ORC 4507.05; Ord. 2120-03 § 1 (part): Ord. 2276-2006 § 1 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 2141.03 Driving under a repeat offender points suspension.

2141.03 - Driving under a repeat offender points suspension. (a) No person whose driver's or commercial driver's license or permit or nonresident operating privileges are suspended as a repeat traffic offender under Section 4510.037 of the Ohio Revised Code shall operate any motor vehicle upon any street or highway during the period of the suspension. (b) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, and the court shall sentence the offender to a minimum term of three (3) days in jail. No court shall suspend the first three (3) days of jail time imposed pursuant to this division. (ORC 4510.037(J); Ord. 2120-03 § 1 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 2141.04 Wrongful entrustment.

2141.04 - Wrongful entrustment. (A) No person shall permit a motor vehicle owned by the person or under the person's control to be driven by another if any of the following apply: (1) The offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person does not have a valid driver's or commercial driver's license or permit or valid nonresident driving privileges. (2) The offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's driver's or commercial driver's license or permit or nonresident operating privileges have been suspended or canceled under Chapter 4510 or any other provision of the Ohio Revised Code. (3) The offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's act of driving the motor vehicle would violate any prohibition contained in Chapter 4509 of the Ohio Revised Code. (4) The offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the other person's act of driving would violate Section 4511.19 of the Ohio Revised Code or any substantially equivalent municipal ordinance. (B) Without limiting or precluding the consideration of any other evidence in determining whether a violation of division (A)(1), (2), (3), or (4) of this section has occurred, it shall be prima-facie evidence that the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the operator of the motor vehicle owned by the offender or under the offender's control is in a category described in division (A)(1), (2), (3), or (4) of this section if any of the following applies: (1) Regarding an operator allegedly in the category described in division (A)(1) or (3) of this section, the offender and the operator of the motor vehicle reside in the same household and are related by consanguinity or affinity. (2) Regarding an operator allegedly in the category described in division (A)(2) of this section, the offender and the operator of the motor vehicle reside in the same household, and the offender knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the operator has been charged with or convicted of any violation of law or ordinance or has committed any other act or omission, that would or could result in the suspension or cancellation of the operator's license, permit, or privilege. (3) Regarding an operator allegedly in the category described in division (A)(4) of this section, the offender and the operator of the motor vehicle occupied the motor vehicle together at the time of the offense. (C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of wrongful entrustment of a motor vehicle, a misdemeanor of the first degree. In addition to the penalties imposed under Chapter 2929 of the Ohio Revised Code, the court may impose a class seven suspension of the offender's driver's license, commercial driver's license, temporary instruction permit, probationary license, or nonresident operating privilege from the range specified in division (A)(7) of Section 4510.02 of the Ohio Revised Code, and, if the vehicle involved in the offense is registered in the name of the offender, the court shall order one of the following: (1) Except as otherwise provided in division (C)(2) or (3) of this section, the court shall order, for thirty (30) days, the immobilization of the vehicle involved in the offense and the impoundment of that vehicle's license plates. The order shall be issued and enforced under Section 4503.233 of the Ohio Revised Code. (2) If the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one (1) violation of this section, Section 4511.203 of the Ohio Revised Code, or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, the court shall order, for sixty (60) days, the immobilization of the vehicle involved in the offense and the impoundment of that vehicle's license plates. The order shall be issued and enforced under Section 4503.233 of the Ohio Revised Code. (3) If the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to two (2) or more violations of this section, Section 4511.203 of the Ohio Revised Code, or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance, the court shall order the criminal forfeiture to the state of the vehicle involved in the offense. The order shall be issued and enforced under Section 4503.234 of the Ohio Revised Code. If title to a motor vehicle that is subject to an order for criminal forfeiture under this division is assigned or transferred and division (B)(2) or (3) of Section 4503.234 of the Ohio Revised Code applies, in addition to or independent of any other penalty established by law, the court may fine the offender the value of the vehicle as determined by publications of the national auto dealer's association. The proceeds from any fine imposed under this division shall be distributed in accordance with division (C)(2) of Section 4503.234 of the Ohio Revised Code. (D) If a court orders the immobilization of a vehicle under division (C) of this section, the court shall not release the vehicle from the immobilization before the termination of the period of immobilization ordered unless the court is presented with current proof of financial responsibility with respect to that vehicle. (E) If a court orders the criminal forfeiture of a vehicle under division (C) of this section, upon receipt of the order from the court, neither the registrar of motor vehicles nor any deputy registrar shall accept any application for the registration or transfer of registration of any motor vehicle owned or leased by the person named in the order. The period of denial shall be five (5) years after the date the order is issued, unless, during that five (5) year period, the court with jurisdiction of the offense that resulted in the order terminates the forfeiture and notifies the registrar of the termination. If the court terminates the forfeiture and notifies the registrar, the registrar shall take all necessary measures to permit the person to register a vehicle owned or leased by the person or to transfer the registration of the vehicle. (F) This section does not apply to motor vehicle rental dealers or motor vehicle leasing dealers, as defined in Section 4549.65 of the Ohio Revised Code. (G) Evidence of a conviction of, plea of guilty to, or adjudication as a delinquent child for a violation of this section or a substantially similar municipal ordinance shall not be admissible as evidence in any civil action that involves the offender or delinquent child who is the subject of the conviction, plea, or adjudication that arises from the wrongful entrustment of a motor vehicle. (H) As used in this section, a vehicle is owned by a person if, at the time of a violation of this section, the vehicle is registered in the person's name. (ORC 4511.203; Ord. 2120-03 § 1 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 2141.05 Display of a license.

2141.05 - Display of a license. (a) The operator of a motor vehicle shall display the operator's driver's license, or furnish satisfactory proof that the operator has a driver's license, upon demand of any peace officer or of any person damaged or injured in any collision in which the licensee may be involved. When a demand is properly made and the operator has the operator's driver's license on or the operator's person, the operator shall not refuse to display the license. A person's failure to furnish satisfactory evidence that the person is licensed under Chapter 4507 of the Ohio Revised Code when the person does not have the person's license on or about the person's person shall be prima-facie evidence of the person's not having obtained a driver's license. (b) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree. (ORC 4507.35; Ord. 2120-03 § 1 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 2141.06 Certain acts prohibited.

2141.06 - Certain acts prohibited. No person shall do any of the following: (a) Display, or cause or permit to be displayed, or possess any identification card, driver's or commercial driver's license, temporary instruction permit, or commercial driver's license temporary instruction permit knowing the same to be fictitious, or to have been canceled, suspended, or altered; (b) Lend to a person not entitled thereto, or knowingly permit a person not entitled thereto to use any identification card, driver's or commercial driver's license, temporary instruction permit, or commercial driver's license temporary instruction permit issued to the person so lending or permitting the use thereof; (c) Display, or represent as one's own, any identification card, driver's or commercial driver's license, temporary instruction permit, or commercial driver's license temporary instruction permit not issued to the person so displaying the same; (d) Fail to surrender to the registrar of motor vehicles, upon the registrar's demand, any identification card, driver's or commercial driver's license, temporary instruction permit, or commercial driver's license temporary instruction permit that has been suspended or canceled; (e) In any application for an identification card, driver's or commercial driver's license, temporary instruction permit, or commercial driver's license temporary instruction permit, or any renewal or duplicate thereof, knowingly conceal a material fact, or present any physician's statement required under Section 4507.08 or 4507.081 of the Ohio Revised Code when knowing the same to be false or fictitious. (f) Whoever violates any division of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree. (ORC 4507.30; Ord. 2120-03 § 1 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 2141.11 Driving under suspension or in violation of license restriction.

2141.11 - Driving under suspension or in violation of license restriction. (A) No person whose driver's or commercial driver's license or permit or nonresident operating privilege has been suspended under any provision of the Ohio Revised Code, other than Chapter 4509 of the Ohio Revised Code, or under any applicable law in any other jurisdiction in which the person's license or permit was issued shall operate any motor vehicle upon the streets or highways or upon any public or private property used by the public for purposes of vehicular travel or parking within this City during the period of suspension unless the person is granted limited driving privileges and is operating the vehicle in accordance with the terms of the limited driving privileges. (B) No person shall operate any motor vehicle upon a street or highway or any public or private property used by the public for purposes of vehicular travel or parking in this City in violation of any restriction of the person's driver's or commercial driver's license or permit imposed under division (D) of Section 4506.10 or under Section 4507.14 of the Ohio Revised Code. (C) (1) Whoever violates this section is guilty of driving under suspension or in violation of a license restriction, a misdemeanor of the first degree. The court may impose upon the offender a class seven suspension of the offender's driver's license, commercial driver's license, temporary instruction permit, probationary license, or nonresident operating privilege from the range specified in division (A)(7) of Section 4510.02 of the Ohio Revised Code. (2) Except as provided in division (C)(3) or (4) of this section, the court, in addition to any other penalty that it imposes on the offender and if the vehicle is registered in the offender's name, shall order the immobilization of the vehicle involved in the offense for thirty (30) days in accordance with Section 4503.233 of the Ohio Revised Code and the impoundment of that vehicle's license plates for thirty (30) days. (3) If the offender has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one (1) violation of this section, Section 4510.11 of the Ohio Revised Code, or a substantially similar municipal ordinance, the court, in addition to any other sentence that it imposes on the offender and if the vehicle is registered in the offender's name, shall order the immobilization of the vehicle involved in the offense for sixty (60) days in accordance with Section 4503.233 of the Ohio Revised Code and the impoundment of that vehicle's license plates for sixty (60) days. (4) If the offender has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to two (2) or more violations of this section, Section 4510.11 of the Ohio Revised Code, or a substantially similar municipal ordinance, the court, in addition to any other sentence that it imposes on the offender and if the vehicle is registered in the offender's name, shall order the criminal forfeiture of the vehicle involved in the offense to the state. (D) Any order for immobilization and impoundment under this section shall be issued and enforced under Section 4503.233 of the Ohio Revised Code. The court shall not release a vehicle from immobilization ordered under this section unless the court is presented with current proof of financial responsibility with respect to that vehicle. (E) Any order of criminal forfeiture under this section shall be issued and enforced under Section 4503.234 of the Ohio Revised Code. Upon receipt of the copy of the order from the court, neither the registrar of motor vehicles nor a deputy registrar shall accept any application for the registration or transfer of registration of any motor vehicle owned or leased by the person named in the declaration of forfeiture. The period of registration denial shall be five (5) years after the date of the order, unless, during that period, the court having jurisdiction of the offense that led to the order terminates the forfeiture and notifies the registrar of the termination. The registrar then shall take necessary measures to permit the person to register a vehicle owned or leased by the person or to transfer registration of the vehicle. (F) The offender shall provide the court with proof of financial responsibility as defined in Section 4509.01 of the Ohio Revised Code. If the offender fails to provide that proof of financial responsibility, then, in addition to any other penalties provided by law, the court may order restitution pursuant to Section 2929.28 of the Ohio Revised Code in an amount not exceeding five thousand ($5,000.00) dollars for any economic loss arising from an accident or collision that was the direct and proximate result of the offender's operation of the vehicle before, during, or after committing the offense for which the offender is sentenced under this section. (ORC 4510.11; Ord. 2120-03 § 1 (part); Ord. No. 0196-2015, § 1, 4-27-2015)

Columbus City Codes § 2141.12 Operating a motor vehicle without a valid license.

2141.12 - Operating a motor vehicle without a valid license. (A) (1) No person, except those expressly exempted under Sections 4507.03, 4507.04, and 4507.05 of the Ohio Revised Code, shall operate any motor vehicle upon a street or highway or any public or private property used by the public for purposes of vehicular travel or parking in this City unless the person has a valid driver's license issued under Chapter 4507 of the Ohio Revised Code or a commercial driver's license issued under Chapter 4506 of the Ohio Revised Code. (2) No person, except a person expressly exempted under Sections 4507.03, 4507.04, and 4507.05 of the Ohio Revised Code, shall operate any motorcycle upon a street or highway or any public or private property used by the public for purposes of vehicular travel or parking in this City unless the person has a valid license as a motorcycle operator that was issued upon application by the registrar of motor vehicles under Chapter 4507 of the Ohio Revised Code. The license shall be in the form of an endorsement, as determined by the registrar, upon a driver's or commercial driver's license, if the person has a valid license to operate a motor vehicle or commercial motor vehicle, or in the form of a restricted license as provided in Section 4507.14 of the Ohio Revised Code, if the person does not have a valid license to operate a motor vehicle or commercial motor vehicle. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of operating a motor vehicle without a valid license, and shall be punished as follows: (1) If the offender's driver's or commercial driver's license or permit was expired at the time of the offense for no more than six (6) months, the offender is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. (2) If at the time of the offense the offender's driver's or commercial driver's license or permit was expired for more than six (6) months; the offender's driver's or commercial driver's license or permit privileges were cancelled for reasons other than pursuant to Chapter 4509 of the Ohio Revised Code; or the offender never has held a valid driver's or commercial driver's license or permit, the offender is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree. (C) The court shall not impose a license suspension for a first violation of this section or if more than three (3) years have passed since the offender's last violation of this section or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance. (D) If the offender was convicted of or pleaded guilty to one or more violations of this section, Section 4510.12 of the Ohio Revised Code, or a substantially equivalent municipal ordinance within the past three (3) years, and if the offender's license was expired for more than six (6) months at the time of the offense, the court may impose a class seven suspension of the offender's driver license, commercial driver's license, temporary instruction permit, probationary license, or nonresident operating privilege from the range specified in division (A)(7) of Section 4510.02 of the Ohio Revised Code. (ORC 4510.12; Ord. 2120-03 § 1 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 2141.14 Driving under OVI suspension.

2141.14 - Driving under OVI suspension. (A) No person whose driver's or commercial driver's license or permit or nonresident operating privilege has been suspended under Section 4511.19, 4511.191, or 4511.196 of the Ohio Revised Code or under Section 4510.07 of the Ohio Revised Code for a conviction of a violation of a municipal OVI ordinance shall operate any motor vehicle upon the streets or highways within this City during the period of the suspension. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of driving under OVI suspension. The court shall sentence the offender under Chapter 2929 of the Ohio Revised Code, subject to the differences authorized or required by this section. (1) Except as otherwise provided in division (B)(2) or (3) of this section, driving under OVI suspension is a misdemeanor of the first degree. The court shall sentence the offender to all of the following: (a) A mandatory jail term of three (3) consecutive days. The three (3)-day term shall be imposed, unless, subject to division (C) of this section, the court instead imposes a sentence of not less than thirty (30) consecutive days of house arrest with electronic monitoring. A period of house arrest with electronic monitoring imposed under this division shall not exceed six (6) months. If the court imposes a mandatory three (3)-day jail term under this division, the court may impose a jail term in addition to that term, provided that in no case shall the cumulative jail term imposed for the offense exceed six (6) months. (b) A fine of not less than two hundred fifty (250) and not more than one thousand ($1,000.00) dollars; (c) A license suspension under division (E) of this section; (d) If the vehicle the offender was operating at the time of the offense is registered in the offender's name, immobilization for thirty (30) days of the offender's vehicle and impoundment for thirty (30) days of the identification license plates of that vehicle. The order for immobilization and impoundment shall be issued and enforced in accordance with Section 4503.233 of the Ohio Revised Code. (2) If, within six (6) years of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one (1) violation of this section, Section 4510.14 of the Ohio Revised Code, or equivalent offense, driving under OVI suspension is a misdemeanor of the first degree. The court shall sentence the offender to all of the following: (a) A mandatory jail term of ten (10) consecutive days. Notwithstanding the jail terms provided in Sections 2929.21 to 2929.28 of the Ohio Revised Code, the court may sentence the offender to a longer jail term of not more than one (1) year. The ten (10) day mandatory jail term shall be imposed unless, subject to division (C) of this section, the court instead imposes a sentence of not less than ninety (90) consecutive days of house arrest with electronic monitoring. The period of house arrest with electronic monitoring shall not exceed one (1) year. (b) Notwithstanding the fines provided for in Chapter 2929 of the Ohio Revised Code, a fine of not less than five hundred (500) and not more than two thousand five hundred ($2,500.00) dollars; (c) A license suspension under division (E) of this section; (d) If the vehicle the offender was operating at the time of the offense is registered in the offender's name, immobilization of the offender's vehicle for sixty (60) days and the impoundment for sixty (60) days of the identification license plates of that vehicle. The order for immobilization and impoundment shall be issued and enforced in accordance with Section 4503.233 of the Ohio Revised Code. (3) If, within six (6) years of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to two (2) or more violations of this section, Section 4510.14 of the Ohio Revised Code, or equivalent offenses, driving under OVI suspension is a misdemeanor. The court shall sentence the offender to all of the following: (a) A mandatory jail term of thirty (30) consecutive days. Notwithstanding the jail terms provided in Sections 2929.21 to 2929.28 of the Ohio Revised Code, the court may sentence the offender to a longer jail term of not more than one (1) year. The court shall not sentence the offender to a term of house arrest with electronic monitoring in lieu of the mandatory portion of the jail term. (b) Notwithstanding the fines set forth in Chapter 2929 of the Ohio Revised Code, a fine of not less than five hundred (500) and not more than two thousand five hundred ($2,500.00) dollars; (c) A license suspension under division (E) of this section; (d) If the vehicle the offender was operating at the time of the offense is registered in the offender's name, criminal forfeiture to the state of the offender's vehicle. The order of criminal forfeiture shall be issued and enforced in accordance with Section 4503.234 of the Ohio Revised Code. If title to a motor vehicle that is subject to an order for criminal forfeiture under this division is assigned or transferred and division (B)(2) or (3) of Section 4503.234 of the Ohio Revised Code applies, the court may fine the offender the value of the vehicle as determined by publications of the national auto dealer's association. The proceeds from any fine so imposed shall be distributed in accordance with division (C)(2) of Section 4503.234 of the Ohio Revised Code. (C) No court shall impose an alternative sentence of house arrest with electronic monitoring under division (B)(1) or (2) of this section unless, within sixty (60) days of the date of sentencing, the court issues a written finding on the record that, due to the unavailability of space at the jail where the offender is required to serve the jail term imposed, the offender will not be able to begin serving that term within the sixty (60)day period following the date of sentencing. An offender sentenced under this section to a period of house arrest with electronic monitoring shall be permitted work release during that period. (D) Fifty (50) percent of any fine imposed by a court under division (B)(1), (2) or (3) of this section shall be deposited into the municipal indigent drivers alcohol treatment fund under the control of that court, as created by the city pursuant to division (H) of Section 4511.191 of the Ohio Revised Code. (E) In addition to or independent of all other penalties provided by law or ordinance, the trial judge shall impose on an offender who is convicted of or pleads guilty to a violation of this section a class seven suspension of the offender's driver's or commercial driver's license or permit or nonresident operating privilege from the range specified in division (A)(7) of Section 4510.02 of the Ohio Revised Code. When permitted as specified in Section 4510.021 of the Ohio Revised Code, if the court grants limited driving privileges during a suspension imposed under this section, the privileges shall be granted on the additional condition that the offender must display restricted license plates, issued under Section 4503.231 of the Ohio Revised Code, on the vehicle driven subject to the privileges, except as provided in division (B) of that section. A suspension of a commercial driver's license under this section shall be concurrent with any period of suspension or disqualification under Section 3123.58 or 4506.16 of the Ohio Revised Code. No person who is disqualified for life from holding a commercial driver's license under Section 4506.16 of the Ohio Revised Code shall be issued a driver's license under Chapter 4507 of the Ohio Revised Code during the period for which the commercial driver's license was suspended under this section, and no person whose commercial driver's license is suspended under this section shall be issued a driver's license under Chapter 4507 of the Ohio Revised Code during the period of the suspension. (F) The offender shall provide the court with proof of financial responsibility as defined in Section 4509.01 of the Ohio Revised Code. If the offender fails to provide that proof of financial responsibility, then, in addition to any other penalties provided by law, the court may order restitution pursuant to Section 2929.28 of the Ohio Revised Code in an amount not exceeding five thousand ($5,000.00) dollars for any economic loss arising from an accident or collision that was the direct and proximate result of the offender's operation of the vehicle before, during, or after committing the offense for which the offender is sentenced under this section. (G) As used in this section: (1) "Electronic monitoring" has the same meaning as in Section 2929.01 of the Ohio Revised Code. (2) "Equivalent offense" means any of the following: (a) A violation of a municipal ordinance, law of another state, or law of the United States that is substantially equivalent to division (A) of this section; (b) A violation of a former law of this state that was substantially equivalent to division (A) of this section. (3) "Jail" has the same meaning as in Section 2929.01 of the Ohio Revised Code. (4) "Mandatory jail term" means the mandatory term in jail of three (3), ten (10) or thirty (30) consecutive days that must be imposed under division (B)(1), (2) or (3) of this section upon an offender convicted of a violation of division (A) of this section and in relation to which all of the following apply: (a) Except as specifically authorized under this section, the term must be served in a jail. (b) Except as specifically authorized under this section, the term cannot be suspended, reduced or otherwise modified pursuant to any provision of the Ohio Revised Code. (ORC 4510.14; Ord. 2120-03 § 1 (part); Ord. No. 0196-2015, § 1, 4-27-2015)

Columbus City Codes § 2141.16 Driving under financial responsibility law suspension or cancellation.

2141.16 - Driving under financial responsibility law suspension or cancellation. (A) No person, whose driver's or commercial driver's license or temporary instruction permit or nonresident's operating privilege has been suspended or canceled pursuant to Chapter 4509 of the Ohio Revised Code, shall operate any motor vehicle within the city, or knowingly permit any motor vehicle owned by the person to be operated by another person in the city, during the period of the suspension or cancellation, except as specifically authorized by Chapter 4509 of the Ohio Revised Code. No person shall operate a motor vehicle within the city, or knowingly permit any motor vehicle owned by the person to be operated by another person in the city, during the period in which the person is required by Section 4509.45 of the Ohio Revised Code to file and maintain proof of financial responsibility for a violation of Section 4509.101 of the Ohio Revised Code, unless proof of financial responsibility is maintained with respect to that vehicle. (B) (1) Whoever violates this section is guilty of driving under financial responsibility law suspension or cancellation, a misdemeanor of the first degree. The court may impose a class seven suspension of the offender's driver's or commercial driver's license or permit or nonresident operating privilege for the period of time specified in division (A)(7) of Section 4510.02 of the Ohio Revised Code. (2) If the vehicle is registered in the offender's name, the court, in addition to or independent of any other sentence that it imposes upon the offender, shall do one (1) of the following: (a) Except as otherwise provided in division (B)(2)(b) or (c) of this section, order the immobilization for thirty (30) days of the vehicle involved in the offense and the impoundment for thirty (30) days of the license plates of that vehicle; (b) If, within five (5) years of the offense, the offender has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one (1) violation of this section, Section 4510.16 of the Ohio Revised Code, or a substantially similar municipal ordinance, order the immobilization for sixty (60) days of the vehicle involved in the offense and impoundment for sixty (60) days of the license plates of that vehicle; (c) If, within five (5) years of the offense, the offender has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to two (2) or more violations of this section, Section 4510.16 of the Ohio Revised Code, or a substantially similar municipal ordinance, order the criminal forfeiture to the state of the vehicle involved in the offense. If title to a motor vehicle that is subject to an order for criminal forfeiture under this division is assigned or transferred and division (B)(2) or (3) of Section 4503.234 of the Ohio Revised Code applies, in addition to or independent of any other penalty established by law, the court may fine the offender the value of the vehicle as determined by publications of the national auto dealers association. The proceeds from any fine so imposed shall be distributed in accordance with division (C)(2) of that section. (C) Any order for immobilization and impoundment under this section shall be issued and enforced in accordance with Sections 4503.233 and 4507.02 of the Ohio Revised Code, as applicable. Any order of criminal forfeiture shall be issued and enforced in accordance with Section 4503.234 of the Ohio Revised Code. The court shall not release a vehicle from immobilization orders under this section unless the court is presented with current proof of financial responsibility with respect to that vehicle. (ORC 4510.16; Ord. 2120-03 § 1 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 2141.18 Affirmative defenses.

2141.18 - Affirmative defenses. (a) It is an affirmative defense to any prosecution brought under Section 2141.11, 2141.14, 2141.16 or 2141.21 that the alleged offender drove under suspension, without a valid permit or driver's or commercial driver's license, or in violation of a restriction because of a substantial emergency, and because no other person was reasonably available to drive in response to the emergency. (b) It is an affirmative defense to any prosecution brought under Section 2141.16 that the order of suspension resulted from the failure of the alleged offender to respond to a financial responsibility random verification request under division (A)(3)(c) of Section 4509.101 of the Ohio Revised Code as shown by proof of financial responsibility that was in effect at the time of that request. (ORC 4510.04; Ord. 2120-03 § 1 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 2141.21 Failure to reinstate a license.

2141.21 - Failure to reinstate a license. (a) No person whose driver's license, commercial driver's license, temporary instruction permit, or nonresident's operating privilege has been suspended shall operate any motor vehicle upon a street or highway or any public or private property after the suspension has expired unless the person has complied with all license reinstatement requirements imposed by the court, the bureau of motor vehicles, or another provision of the Ohio Revised Code. (b) Whoever violates this section is guilty of failure to reinstate a license, a misdemeanor of the first degree. The court may impose upon the offender a class seven suspension of the offender's driver's license, commercial driver's license, temporary instruction permit, probationary driver's license, or nonresident operating privilege from the range specified in division (A)(7) of Section 4510.02 of the Ohio Revised Code. Article VII. Stopping, Standing or Parking (ORC 4510.21; Ord. 2120-03 § 1 (part).)

Source: City of Columbus, City Codes and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/oh/columbus/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT21TRCO_CH2141LIFetched: 10/27/2026