Coronavirus: Long lines reported at area Ohio BMV locations on first day of reopening

Tuesday was a big day for Ohio’s re-opening plan during the COVID-19 pandemic: BMVs across the state could open their doors for the first time since Gov. Mike DeWine shuttered them in mid-March.

There were reports of long lines at BMV locations all over Ohio Tuesday, and at least one report of a technical glitch at BMV office in the Cleveland-area where the driver’s license machine stopped working.

News Center 7 crews found long lines at the BMV offices in Centerville, Xenia and Huber Heights Tuesday.

>>PHOTOS: Long lines form outside Ohio BMVs on first day of reopening

With all the COVID-19-related changes, there were some glitches in Centerville. Some people, including Joanne Oldiges from Centerville, told WHIO the signage about what services could be taken care of in each line – on foot to go inside the BMV or the drive thru lane – wasn’t totally clear.

“I realize it might be a little different than what I was used to before,” Oldiges said. “But I thought I was in the correct line. Evidently I was not in the correct line. So I had to park my car then come up here and get in line because I have to have my driver’s license renewed.”

Oldiges said the experience was “frustrating,” but said she chose to keep a positive attitude. “It’s a lesson learned,” she said. “And I’ll try to be patient and understanding because this is definitely is a different time than we’ve ever had to live through. And hopefully it’ll get better as the day goes on.”

People who waited in line to go inside the Centerville BMV office told News Center 7’s John Bedell the wait time was anywhere from 30-40 minutes for things like plate and registration renewals or a new driver’s license.

"Ah, it took a little longer but again it wasn't as bad a wait as what I thought it would be,” said Barbara Astor from Bellbrook. “So I'm satisfied, I'm finished. I had to renew my driver’s license and so I had to take my vision test and you can’t do that through the drive thru.”

Other folks tried the drive-thru lane with a $3.00 “service fee” tacked onto their final bill. One man told WHIO off camera the wait for the drive thru line in Centerville was at least an our Tuesday morning.

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We talked to John Horvath waiting in the passenger seat of his grandson’s pickup truck in the drive-thru line in Centerville Tuesday. The two made the trip from Waynesville because Horvath needed his registration renewed – the line wasn’t moving much when we caught up with him. “Hey – it does not bother me none at all,” Horvath said. “I just live with the flow. You know what I mean? I don’t get in no hurry and there ain’t no sense in getting in a hurry.”

It was no doubt a different BMV experience with all the changes aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19. But we found drivers adjusting just fine in Centerville. Especially Oldiges, who coped with a great sense of humor. She told us she’ll be 86 later this week.

"My birthday as I said is this Friday and I have to have (my driver’s license) renewed. Hopefully this'll be the last time because I'm pushin’ 90 years old," Oldiges quipped

with a laugh and a smile.

In a tweet posted Tuesday morning, DeWine reminded Ohioans if a license expired on March 9 or after, it is still valid for 90 days after the state of emergency ends, or on December 1, whichever comes first. DeWine also said most BMV services like registration and plate renewals, can be done on the BMV’s website.

Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted has encouraged people to not rush back to BMV offices now that they’re open. Husted reminded drivers last week that many of the services the BMV offers can be taken care of online at the agency’s Web site.

In addition, there’s an important grace period to know about: if your driver’s license expired on or since March 9, 2020, the state of Ohio says that actual expiration date has been pushed out to: 90 days after Gov. DeWine’s emergency order expires or December 1, 2020, whichever comes first.

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