Ohio Code § 4503.20

Ohio Code § 4503.20. Reproduced from the official Ohio Revised Code, with a citation summary, verification link, and related provisions.

§ 4503.20.

(A) As used in this section: (1) “ Dealer engaged in the business of leasing motor vehicles ” means any person engaged in the business of regularly making available, offering

to make available, or arranging for another person to use a motor vehicle pursuant

to a bailment, lease, or other contractual arrangement. (2) “Motor vehicle” has the meaning set forth in section 4509.01 of the Revised Code . (B) An application for the registration of a motor vehicle shall contain a statement,

to be signed by the applicant either manually or by electronic signature, that does

all of the following: (1) States that the applicant maintains, or has maintained on the applicant's behalf,

proof of financial responsibility at the time of application, and will not operate

a motor vehicle in this state, unless the applicant maintains, with respect to that

motor vehicle or the operation of such vehicle, proof of financial responsibility; (2) Contains a brief summary of the purposes and operation of section 4509.101 of the Revised Code , the rights and duties of the applicant under that section, and the penalties for

violation of that section; (3) Warns the applicant that the financial responsibility law does not prevent the possibility

that the applicant may be involved in an accident with an owner or operator of a motor

vehicle who is without proof of financial responsibility. (C)(1) A person who purchases any motor vehicle from a licensed motor vehicle dealer who

agrees to make application for registration of the motor vehicle on behalf of the

purchaser shall sign statements that comply with divisions (B) and (F) of this section.  The dealer shall submit the statements to the deputy registrar where the dealer

has agreed to make application for registration on behalf of the person. (2) In the case of a person who leases any motor vehicle from a dealer engaged in the

business of leasing motor vehicles who agrees to make application for registration

of the motor vehicle on behalf of the lessee, the person shall sign a statement that

complies with division (B) of this section, and the dealer shall do either of the

following: (a) Submit the statement signed by the person to the deputy registrar where the dealer

has agreed to make application for registration on behalf of the person; (b) Sign and submit a statement to the deputy registrar that certifies that a statement

has been signed and filed with the dealer or incorporated into the lease. The dealer shall submit to the registrar or deputy registrar to whom the dealer submits

the application for registration a statement signed by the person that complies with

division (F) of this section. (D) The registrar of motor vehicles shall prescribe the form of the statements required

under divisions (B), (C), and (F) of this section, and the manner or manners in which

the statements required under divisions (B) and (F) of this section shall be presented

to the applicant.  Any statement that is required under divisions (B), (C), and (F) of this section

shall be designed to enable the applicant to retain a copy of it. (E) Nothing within this section shall be construed to excuse a violation of section 4509.101 of the Revised Code .  A motor vehicle dealer who makes application for the registration of a motor vehicle

on behalf of the purchaser or lessee of the motor vehicle is not liable in damages

in any civil action on account of the act of making such application for registration

or the content of any such application for registration. (F) In addition to the statements required by divisions (B) and (C) of this section,

a person who makes application for registration of a motor vehicle shall be furnished

with a form that lists in plain language all the possible penalties to which a person

could be subject for a violation of the financial responsibility law, including driver's

license suspensions and all fees, including nonvoluntary compliance and reinstatement

fees.  The person shall read the form and either manually or by electronic signature sign

the form, which shall be submitted along with the application for registration as

provided in this section.  The form shall be retained by the registrar or deputy registrar who issues the motor

vehicle registration or the registrar's or deputy registrar's successor for a period

of two years from the date of issuance of the registration. (G) Upon the registration of a motor vehicle, the owner of the motor vehicle is deemed

to have agreed to the production of proof of financial responsibility by the owner

or the operator of the motor vehicle, upon the request of a peace officer or state

highway patrol trooper made in accordance with division (D)(2) of section 4509.101 of the Revised Code . (H) The registrar shall adopt rules governing the renewal of motor vehicle registrations

by electronic means and the completion and submission of statements that comply with

divisions (B) and (F) of this section.  The registrar shall adopt the rules prescribed by this division in accordance with

Chapter 119. of the Revised Code.

Source: official Ohio text · Last verified 2026-08-27

At a glance

  • Citation: Ohio Revised Code § 4503.20
  • Jurisdiction: Ohio
  • Code: Ohio Revised Code
  • Text: transcribed from the official source (verify below)

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Common questions

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