About 100,000 Ohio drivers' licenses, 221,000 vehicle registrations still need to be renewed by July 1

If you haven't renewed your driver's license or vehicle tag since the COVID-19 pandemic started, you don't have much time left.

Licenses or tags expiring on or after March, 9, 2020, have to be renewed by the start of July on Thursday. Otherwise, a misdemeanor offense and fines up to $150 could be imposed.

As of Monday, about 100,000 driver's licenses and 221,000 vehicle registrations still need to be renewed by Thursday, according to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.  

“We don’t want to see anyone penalized for not renewing in time,” said BMV Registrar Charlie Norman in a news release. “We have heavily promoted the extension through a variety of avenues hoping that all Ohioans are aware of the deadline. Those promotional efforts include media stories, paid ads on social media, and TV and radio public service announcements.”

With just two days left, long lines at the BMV are to be expected as Ohioans rush to renew before deadline. The Ohio BMV advises people to use the bureau's virtual queuing system to get in line online.    

Previously, COVID-19 deadline extensions were passed by lawmakers and signed by Gov. Mike DeWine to allow Ohioans to drive with expired licenses and tags without repercussions, given the pandemic shuttered state offices.

As vaccinations have increased and the pandemic shows signs of potentially subsiding, the deadline extensions have not been renewed and July 1 is the final deadline.

Titus Wu is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.