As you settle into your new home in the Buckeye State, one of the first things you must do is transfer your vehicle license plates. The state allows 30 days for this transfer to take place. There are several steps involved in the process, so it's best not to wait until the last minute to accomplish this.
Get your Ohio driver's license at the local Department of Motor Vehicles. The driving portion of the test is waived for new residents with valid out-of-state licenses, but you must take the written part. It's best to get the booklet beforehand and study for this 30-question test. The cost for a new license is $23 as of 2010.
Get the vehicle inspected. This eliminates the registration of stolen vehicles. The inspection will verify the make, model, body type and vehicle identification number, and takes about five minutes. The cost for an inspection is $3.50 as of 2010.
Get an emissions test done if you live in the counties of Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage or Summit.
Go the the Clerk of Courts office in your jurisdiction to transfer the title to Ohio.
Go to the licensing agency to get your new plates. As of 2010, the cost for regular plates was $34.50, with a one-time plate transfer fee of $4.50.
