It’s quick.

Tuesday, December 26, 2000

It’s quick. It’s convenient. And it’s easy.

That’s the message Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles officials are sending out about the state’s new www.OPLATES.com Web site.

Residents throughout the state can now renew their vehicle registration online if they log on to BMV’s new site, officials said.

"We’re real exicted about this," said Julie Stebbins, BMV spokesperson. "Gov. (Bob) Taft, during his State of the State Address in January, promised Ohioans they would be able to renew their vehicle registrations on the Internet by January 2001. Later that same day, Senate Bill 242 was introduced in the Senate."

By June, Gov. Taft was signing the E-commerce bill into law and prompting BMV officials to begin working on the site, she said.

"Basically, renewing your registration online is the same as going to the local deputy registrar or droping it in the mail," Ms. Stebbins said. "I did it and it took me less than 10 minutes. This is ideal for anyone who has a busy schedule. Time is a factor now, and an individual can renew their plates 24-hours a day, seven -days-a-week."

Over 25,000 renewals have occurred through the new program since its testing began in mid-October, she added.

Here’s how OPLATES.com works. To register online, users need to make sure all of the following are true:

– Your vehicle is currently registered in Ohio.

– Your plate is within 90 days of the expiration date or has not been expired for more than six months.

– You own your vehicle. It’s important to note that leased vehicles cannot be renewed online at this time.

– Your registration matches the name, address and personal information listed on your renewal notice.

– Your vehicle registration does not require additional documents to complete. Leased vehicles require Power of Attorney, which is why they cannot be renewed online.

– You have a valid MasterCard, VISA, Discover or American Express.

– You know your license plate number of the plate you’re renewing and the last four digits of your Social Security/Federal Tax ID number.

Officials are predicting about 10 percent of all registered vehicles will now be renewed online, Ms. Stebbins said.

Those who take advantage of the new online service can expect to receive their plates in the mail within 7-10 business days.

BMV officials said registration renewals on the Internet won’t cost any more than renewals at the local deputy registrar’s office.

"It will cost users $2.25 for using OPLATES, but the fees come out to be the same," Ms. Stebbins said. "You don’t have the worry of waiting in long lines or forgetting to drop it in the mail. We’re really excited about it."