BMV's online capacities have saved Ohioans time

Not every technological "upgrade" is a home run, but at least one improvement in Ohio is paying big dividends for the state and its residents. With a change as simple as allowing certain transactions with the state Bureau of Motor Vehicles to take place online instead of in person, more than 10 million trips to BMV offices have been saved since 2022. Among the options available online are renewal of driver's licenses or identification cards. More than 608,000 Buckeye State residents have taken advantage of that so far; and now the option has been expanded to commercial driver's license holders, too. Remember heading down to the BMV to take the driving knowledge test before being granted a temporary driver's license? Those can be taken online now, too. Titles can be transferred, temporary tags can be ordered and vehicle registration can be renewed — all without stepping foot in a BMV office. "The BMV is always looking for convenient, innovative solutions to enhance the overall customer experience for Ohioans," said BMV Registrar Charlie Norman. "We are dedicated to finding opportunities that modernize and improve our processes so that we can provide more service options to better meet customers' diverse needs." Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel calls Ohio "ahead of the game" on keeping people out of those long BMV lines. The move has saved not only time and hassle, but gas money for residents who are able to conduct their business with the BMW from their own homes or a BMV Express self-service kiosk. An upgrade that actually made state government easier to work with? That is something to celebrate. Let's hope other departments are taking note.