Fight your Ohio traffic ticket

Ohio point system

Any Ohio driver convicted of a traffic violation is assessed a specific number of penalty points according to the type of violation. If convicted of a second or subsequent offense within 2 years after the first violation, the point assessment for the new violation is added to the driver’s previous total. For example, if you are cited for speeding in excess of the speed limit and were given 2 points for the violation, and within 2 years are cited for racing, your total point accumulation would be 8.

Accumulating 12 or more points within a 2 year span will lead to a suspension of your license.

The points for specific moving violations are as follows:

Six-point violations

• Homicide by vehicle
• Operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or any drug of abuse
• Failure to stop and disclose identity at the scene of a crash
• Willingly fleeing or eluding a law enforcement officer
• Drag racing
• Operating a motor vehicle without owner consent
• Operating a motor vehicle while your license is under suspension or revocation
• Using a motor vehicle in the commission of a felony, or committing any crime punishable as a felony under Ohio Motor Vehicle Laws

Four-point violations

• Willful or wanton disregard of the safety of persons or property

Two-point violations

• All moving violations except those pertaining to size limits and some speed offenses
• Operating a motor vehicle in violation of a restriction imposed by the Registrar of the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV)

Points for speeding

Two-point credit

A driver who accumulates more than five but no more than 11 points for traffic violations is eligible for a one-time, two-point credit by completing an approved remedial driving course.

The two-point “credit” offered through this program doesn’t erase any convictions from a person’s official driving record and doesn’t eliminate any prior convictions that an insurance company may take into consideration in premium assessments. All convictions remain on the driver’s record, but the points needed for the 12-point suspension are extended by two.

Driving under suspension

Operating a motor vehicle while a license is under suspension is a first-degree misdemeanor. If convicted, the driver is subject to a fine of up to $1,000 or six months in jail, or both. The violator may also be sentenced to an additional one-year drivers license suspension.

Pay the ticket

Paying a Ohio traffic ticket is an admission of guilt.

This means:

• You are waiving your right to challenge the traffic ticket in court.
• Depending on your OH driving record, the Department of Licensing (DOL) may suspend your Ohio driver's license.
• The traffic violation may cause an increase in your car insurance rates.

Requesting a mitigation hearing

If you're guilty of the traffic violation, you have the option to request a mitigation hearing and have your fine reduced. Your mitigation hearing may result in, any of the following in lieu of paying the full original ticket fine:

• Fine reduction
• Monthly payment plan
• Community service

You CANNOT appeal the judge's decision in a mitigation hearing.

Follow the instructions on your traffic ticket to request this hearing.

Requesting a contested hearing

If you want to plead “not guilty" to the violation, you can request a contested hearing at the relevant county court by checking the appropriate check box on your ticket and then mailing it in to the court. You can also contest it right on your phone by using the Off The Record app.

One in four tickets is issued in error, yet only 5% of drivers contest their traffic tickets.