Ohio Code § 4503.31

Ohio Code § 4503.31. Reproduced from the official Ohio Revised Code, with a citation summary, verification link, and related provisions.

§ 4503.31.

(A) As used in this section, “ person ” includes, but is not limited to, any person engaged in the business of manufacturing

or distributing, or selling at retail, displaying, offering for sale, or dealing in,

motorized bicycles who is not subject to section 4503.09 of the Revised Code , or an Ohio nonprofit corporation engaged in the business of testing of motor vehicles. (B) Persons other than manufacturers, dealers, or distributors may register annually

with the registrar of motor vehicles and obtain license plates to be displayed on

motor vehicles as provided by this section.  Applications for annual registration shall be made at the time provided for payment

of the tax otherwise imposed on manufacturers, dealers, or distributors by section 4503.09 of the Revised Code and shall be in the manner to be prescribed by the registrar.  The fee for such registration shall be twenty-five dollars and shall not be reduced

when the registration is for a part of a year.  Applicants may procure a reasonable number of additional registration certificates

upon the payment of a fee of five dollars and appropriate postage as required by the

registrar for each copy. (C) Upon the filing of the application and the payment of the fee and postage prescribed

by this section, the registrar shall issue to each applicant a certificate of registration

and assign a distinctive number and furnish one license plate with the number thereon.  With each additional registration certificate provided for in this section the registrar

shall furnish one license plate with the same numbering assigned in the original registration

certificate and shall add thereto such special designation as necessary to distinguish

one license plate from another.  All license plates furnished by the registrar pursuant to this section shall be

so marked as to be distinguishable from license plates issued to dealers, manufacturers,

or distributors. (D) Except as provided by divisions (E) and (F) of this section, license plates issued

pursuant to this section may be used only on the following: (1) Motor vehicles or motorized bicycles owned and being used in testing or being demonstrated

for purposes of sale or lease; (2) Motor vehicles subject to the rights and remedies of a secured party being exercised

under Chapter 1309. of the Revised Code; (3) Motor vehicles being held or transported by any insurance company for purposes of

salvage disposition; (4) Motor vehicles being transported by any persons regularly engaged in salvage operations

or scrap metal processing from the point of acquisition to their established place

of business; (5) Motor vehicles owned by or in the lawful possession of an Ohio nonprofit corporation

while being used in the testing of those motor vehicles. (E) License plates issued pursuant to this section also may be used by all of the following: (1) Persons regularly engaged in the business of rustproofing, reconditioning, or installing

equipment or trim on motor vehicles for motor vehicle dealers and shall be used exclusively

when such motor vehicles are being transported to or from the motor vehicle dealer's

place of business; (2) Persons engaged in manufacturing articles for attachment to motor vehicles when such

motor vehicles are being transported to or from places where mechanical equipment

is attached to the chassis of such new motor vehicles; (3) Persons regularly and primarily engaged in the business of towing motor vehicles

while such motor vehicles are being towed to a point of storage. (F) License plates issued pursuant to this section also may be used on trailers being

transported by persons engaged in the business of selling tangible personal property

other than motor vehicles. (G) No person required to register an apportionable vehicle under the international registration

plan shall apply for or receive a license plate for that vehicle under this section. (H) The fees collected by the registrar pursuant to this section shall be paid into the

public safety--highway purposes fund established in section 4501.06 of the Revised Code and used for the purposes described in that section.

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

At a glance

  • Citation: Ohio Revised Code § 4503.31
  • Jurisdiction: Ohio
  • Code: Ohio Revised Code
  • Text: transcribed from the official source (verify below)

Verify the text

Statute text is transcribed from the official Ohio Revised Code. Confirm it against the primary source before relying on it:

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed Ohio attorney.

Common questions

What is the source of Ohio Revised Code § 4503.31?

The text above is transcribed from the Ohio Revised Code, the codified statutes of Ohio. The official publisher link appears under "Verify the text" on this page.

What subject does Ohio Revised Code § 4503.31 address?

It addresses the rule set out in the section text. Read the section together with the surrounding provisions listed under "Nearby provisions" for the full picture.

Is Ohio Revised Code § 4503.31 still in force?

Statutes are amended, repealed, and renumbered every session. Confirm the current version at the official Ohio source before relying on this text.

Can this page be used as legal advice?

No. This is a reference transcription for research. Applying Ohio law to your facts requires a licensed Ohio attorney who can review the specifics.