COLUMBUS — If you love spending time and money at the BMV, we’ve got bad news for you.
A state congressman has introduced a bill that would allow Ohio residents to purchase a driver license that doesn’t expire for eight years, instead of the current four.
“We are trying to save Ohioans time,” Representative Derek Merrin told the Statehouse News Bureau. “No one likes to go to the BMV to get their license renewed. Many times, we have long lines. And if you put many people on the eight-year cycle, it would significantly cut down the lines at the BMV.”
Merrin, a Republican who represents Monclova Township, said that the eight-year licenses would also save $1 in fees. Ohio currently allows drivers to register their vehicles for up to five years.
There are 19 other states that allow drivers to get a license that lasts for eight years, Merrin said. In Arizona, driver licenses don’t expire until the driver turns 65 — until then, drivers need only to take a new photo every 12 years.
Merrin’s bill was introduced in the House on Oct. 17.
