Chapter 4513 | Traffic Laws - Equipment; Loads

Title 45 Motor Vehicles-Aeronautics-Watercraft

Section
Section 4513.01 \| Traffic laws - equipment - load definitions. Effective: April 3, 2003 Latest Legislation: House Bill 520 - 124th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF As provided in section 4511.01 of the Revised Code, the definitions set forth in that section apply to this chapter.
Section 4513.02 \| Unsafe vehicles. Effective: September 28, 2012 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 337 - 129th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) No person shall drive or move, or cause or knowingly permit to be driven or moved, on any highway any vehicle or combination of vehicles which is in such unsafe condition as to endanger any person. (B) When directed by any state highway patrol trooper, the operator of any motor vehicle shall stop and submit such motor vehicle to an inspection under division (B)(1) or (2) of this section, as appropriate, and such tests as are necessary. (1) Any motor vehicle not subject to inspection by the public utilities commission shall be inspected and tested to determine whether it is unsafe or not equipped as required by law, or that its equipment is not in proper adjustment or repair, or in violation of the equipment provisions of Chapter 4513. of the Revised Code. Such inspection shall be made with respect to the brakes, lights, turn signals, steering, horns and warning devices, glass, mirrors, exhaust system, windshield wipers, tires, and such other items of equipment as designated by the superintendent of the state highway patrol by rule or regulation adopted pursuant to sections 119.01 to 119.13 of the Revised Code. Upon determining that a motor vehicle is in safe operating condition and its equipment in conformity with Chapter 4513. of the Revised Code, the inspecting officer shall issue to the operator an official inspection sticker, which shall be in such form as the superintendent prescribes except that its color shall vary from year to year. (2) Any motor vehicle subject to inspection by the public utilities commission shall be inspected and tested in accordance with rules adopted by the commission. Upon determining that the vehicle and operator are in compliance with rules adopted by the commission, the inspecting officer shall issue to the operator an appropriate official inspection sticker. (C) The superintendent of the state highway patrol, pursuant to sections 119.01 to 119.13 of the Revised Code, shall determine and promulgate standards for any inspection program conducted by a political subdivision of this state. These standards shall exempt licensed collector's vehicles and historical motor vehicles from inspection. Any motor vehicle bearing a valid certificate of inspection issued by another state or a political subdivision of this state whose inspection program conforms to the superintendent's standards, and any licensed collector's vehicle or historical motor vehicle which is not in a condition which endangers the safety of persons or property, shall be exempt from the tests provided in division (B) of this section. (D) Every person, firm, association, or corporation that, in the conduct of its business, owns and operates not less than fifteen motor vehicles in this state that are not subject to regulation by the public utilities commission and that, for the purpose of storing, repairing, maintaining, and servicing such motor vehicles, equips and operates one or more service departments within this state, may file with the superintendent of the state highway patrol applications for permits for such service departments as official inspection stations for its own motor vehicles. Upon receiving an application for each such service department, and after determining that it is properly equipped and has competent personnel to perform the inspections referred to in this section, the superintendent shall issue the necessary inspection stickers and permit to operate as an official inspection station. Any such person who has had one or more service departments so designated as official inspection stations may have motor vehicles that are owned and operated by the person and that are not subject to regulation by the public utilities commission, excepting private passenger cars owned by the person or the person's employees, inspected at such service department; and any motor vehicle bearing a valid certificate of inspection issued by such service department shall be exempt from the tests provided in division (B) of this section. No permit for an official inspection station shall be assigned or transferred or used at any location other than therein designated, and every such permit shall be posted in a conspicuous place at the location designated. If a person, firm, association, or corporation owns and operates fifteen or more motor vehicles in the conduct of business and is subject to regulation by the public utilities commission, that person, firm, association, or corporation is not eligible to apply to the superintendent for permits to enable any of its service departments to serve as official inspection stations for its own motor vehicles. (E) When any motor vehicle is found to be unsafe for operation, the inspecting officer may order it removed from the highway and not operated, except for purposes of removal and repair, until it has been repaired pursuant to a repair order as provided in division (F) of this section. (F) When any motor vehicle is found to be defective or in violation of Chapter 4513. of the Revised Code, the inspecting officer may issue a repair order, in such form and containing such information as the superintendent shall prescribe, to the owner or operator of the motor vehicle. The owner or operator shall thereupon obtain such repairs as are required and shall, as directed by the inspecting officer, return the repair order together with proof of compliance with its provisions. When any motor vehicle or operator subject to rules of the public utilities commission fails the inspection, the inspecting officer shall issue an appropriate order to obtain compliance with such rules. (G) Sections 4513.01 to 4513.37 of the Revised Code, with respect to equipment on vehicles, do not apply to implements of husbandry, road machinery, road rollers, or agricultural tractors except as made applicable to such articles of machinery. (H) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
Section 4513.021 \| Bumper height - vehicle modifications. Effective: September 28, 2012 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 337 - 129th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) As used in this section: (1) "Passenger car" means any motor vehicle with motive power, designed for carrying ten persons or less, except a multipurpose passenger vehicle or motorcycle. (2) "Multipurpose passenger vehicle" means a motor vehicle with motive power, except a motorcycle, designed to carry ten persons or less, that is constructed either on a truck chassis or with special features for occasional off-road operation. (3) "Truck" means every motor vehicle, except trailers and semitrailers, designed and used to carry property and having a gross vehicle weight rating of ten thousand pounds or less. (4) "Manufacturer" has the same meaning as in section 4501.01 of the Revised Code. (5) "Gross vehicle weight rating" means the manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating established for that vehicle. (B) The director of public safety, in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, shall adopt rules in conformance with standards of the vehicle equipment safety commission, that shall govern the maximum bumper height or, in the absence of bumpers and in cases where bumper heights have been lowered or modified, the maximum height to the bottom of the frame rail, of any passenger car, multipurpose passenger vehicle, or truck. (C) No person shall operate upon a street or highway any passenger car, multipurpose passenger vehicle, or truck registered in this state that does not conform to the requirements of this section or to any applicable rule adopted pursuant to this section. (D) No person shall modify any motor vehicle registered in this state in such a manner as to cause the vehicle body or chassis to come in contact with the ground, expose the fuel tank to damage from collision, or cause the wheels to come in contact with the body under normal operation, and no person shall disconnect any part of the original suspension system of the vehicle to defeat the safe operation of that system. (E) Nothing contained in this section or in the rules adopted pursuant to this section shall be construed to prohibit either of the following: (1) The installation upon a passenger car, multipurpose passenger vehicle, or truck registered in this state of heavy duty equipment, including shock absorbers and overload springs; (2) The operation on a street or highway of a passenger car, multipurpose passenger vehicle, or truck registered in this state with normal wear to the suspension system if the normal wear does not adversely affect the control of the vehicle. (F) This section and the rules adopted pursuant to it do not apply to any specially designed or modified passenger car, multipurpose passenger vehicle, or truck when operated off a street or highway in races and similar events. (G) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
Section 4513.022 \| Proof of financial responsibility produced at time of issuance of citation. Effective: January 1, 2004 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 123 - 124th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) As part of the motor vehicle inspection conducted pursuant to section 4513.02 of the Revised Code, the state highway patrol trooper shall request that the owner or operator of the motor vehicle produce proof that the owner maintains or has maintained on the owner's behalf, proof of financial responsibility as required by section 4509.101 of the Revised Code. (B) A state highway patrol trooper shall indicate on every traffic ticket issued pursuant to a motor vehicle inspection whether the person receiving the traffic ticket produced proof of the maintenance of financial responsibility in response to the state highway patrol trooper's request. The state highway patrol trooper shall inform every person who receives a traffic ticket and who has failed to produce proof of the maintenance of financial responsibility at the time of the motor vehicle inspection that the person must submit proof to the traffic violations bureau with any payment of a fine and costs for the ticketed violation or, if the person is to appear in court for the violation, the person must submit proof to the court. (C)(1) If a person who has failed to produce proof of the maintenance of financial responsibility appears in court for a ticketed violation, the court may permit the defendant to present evidence of proof of financial responsibility to the court at such time and in such manner as the court determines to be necessary or appropriate. The clerk of courts shall provide the registrar with the identity of any person who fails to submit proof of the maintenance of financial responsibility pursuant to division (B) of this section. (2) If a person who has failed to present proof of the maintenance of financial responsibility also fails to submit that proof to the traffic violations bureau, the traffic violations bureau shall notify the registrar of the identity of that person. (3) Upon receiving notice from a clerk of courts or a traffic violation bureau pursuant to division (C) of this section, the registrar shall proceed against these persons under division (D) of section 4509.101 of the Revised Code in the same manner as the registrar proceeds against persons identified by the clerk of courts under division (D)(4) of section 4509.101 of the Revised Code. (D) A state highway patrol trooper may charge an owner or operator of a motor vehicle with a violation of section 4510.16 of the Revised Code when the operator fails to produce proof of the maintenance of financial responsibility upon the state highway patrol trooper's request under division (A) of this section, if a check of the owner or operator's driving record indicates that the owner or operator, at the time of the motor vehicle inspection, is required to file and maintain proof of financial responsibility under section 4509.45 of the Revised Code for a previous violation of Chapter 4509. of the Revised Code.
Section 4513.03 \| Time for lighted lights on motor vehicles. Effective: October 16, 2009 Latest Legislation: House Bill 2, House Bill 1 - 128th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Every vehicle, other than a motorized bicycle, operated upon a street or highway within this state shall display lighted lights and illuminating devices as required by sections 4513.04 to 4513.37 of the Revised Code during all of the following times: (1) The time from sunset to sunrise; (2) At any other time when, due to insufficient natural light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons, vehicles, and substantial objects on the highway are not discernible at a distance of one thousand feet ahead; (3) At any time when the windshield wipers of the vehicle are in use because of precipitation on the windshield. Every motorized bicycle shall display at such times lighted lights meeting the rules adopted by the director of public safety under section 4511.521 of the Revised Code. No motor vehicle, during any time specified in this section, shall be operated upon a street or highway within this state using only parking lights as illumination. Whenever in such sections a requirement is declared as to the distance from which certain lamps and devices shall render objects visible, or within which such lamps or devices shall be visible, such distance shall be measured upon a straight level unlighted highway under normal atmospheric conditions unless a different condition is expressly stated. Whenever in such sections a requirement is declared as to the mounted height of lights or devices, it shall mean from the center of such light or device to the level ground upon which the vehicle stands. (B) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no law enforcement officer shall cause the operator of a vehicle being operated upon a street or highway within this state to stop the vehicle solely because the officer observes that a violation of division (A)(3) of this section has been or is being committed or for the sole purpose of issuing a ticket, citation, or summons for a violation of that division, or causing the arrest of or commencing a prosecution of a person for a violation of that division. (C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. The Legislative Service Commission presents the text of this section as a composite of the section as amended by multiple acts of the General Assembly. This presentation recognizes the principle stated in R.C. 1.52(B) that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation.
Section 4513.04 \| Headlights. Effective: October 16, 2009 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 128th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Every motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, and every trackless trolley shall be equipped with at least two headlights with at least one near each side of the front of the motor vehicle or trackless trolley. Every motorcycle shall be equipped with at least one and not more than two headlights. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
Section 4513.05 \| Tail lights and illumination of rear license plate. Effective: October 16, 2009 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 128th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Every motor vehicle, trackless trolley, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or vehicle which is being drawn at the end of a train of vehicles shall be equipped with at least one tail light mounted on the rear which, when lighted, shall emit a red light visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear, provided that in the case of a train of vehicles only the tail light on the rearmost vehicle need be visible from the distance specified. Either a tail light or a separate light shall be so constructed and placed as to illuminate with a white light the rear registration plate, when such registration plate is required, and render it legible from a distance of fifty feet to the rear. Any tail light, together with any separate light for illuminating the rear registration plate, shall be so wired as to be lighted whenever the headlights or auxiliary driving lights are lighted, except where separate lighting systems are provided for trailers for the purpose of illuminating such registration plate. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
Section 4513.06 \| Red reflectors required. Effective: October 16, 2009 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 128th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Every new motor vehicle sold after September 6, 1941, and operated on a highway, other than a commercial tractor, to which a trailer or semitrailer is attached shall carry at the rear, either as a part of the tail lamps or separately, two red reflectors meeting the requirements of this section, except that vehicles of the type mentioned in section 4513.07 of the Revised Code shall be equipped with reflectors as required by the regulations provided for in said section. Every such reflector shall be of such size and characteristics and so maintained as to be visible at night from all distances within three hundred feet to fifty feet from such vehicle. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
Section 4513.07 \| Regulations for safety lighting of commercial vehicles. Effective: October 16, 2009 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 128th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) The director of public safety shall prescribe and promulgate regulations relating to clearance lights, marker lights, reflectors, and stop lights on buses, trackless trolleys, trucks, commercial tractors, trailers, semitrailers, and pole trailers, when operated upon any highway, and such vehicles shall be equipped as required by such regulations, and such equipment shall be lighted at all times mentioned in section 4513.03 of the Revised Code, except that clearance lights and side marker lights need not be lighted on any such vehicle when it is operated within a municipal corporation where there is sufficient light to reveal any person or substantial object on the highway at a distance of five hundred feet. Such equipment shall be in addition to all other lights specifically required by sections 4513.03 to 4513.16 of the Revised Code. Vehicles operated under the jurisdiction of the public utilities commission are not subject to this section. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
Section 4513.071 \| Stop light. Effective: October 16, 2009 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 128th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Every motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer when operated upon a highway shall be equipped with two or more stop lights, except that passenger cars manufactured or assembled prior to January 1, 1967, motorcycles, and motor-driven cycles shall be equipped with at least one stop light. Stop lights shall be mounted on the rear of the vehicle, actuated upon application of the service brake, and may be incorporated with other rear lights. Such stop lights when actuated shall emit a red light visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear, provided that in the case of a train of vehicles only the stop lights on the rear-most vehicle need be visible from the distance specified. Such stop lights when actuated shall give a steady warning light to the rear of a vehicle or train of vehicles to indicate the intention of the operator to diminish the speed of or stop a vehicle or train of vehicles. When stop lights are used as required by this section, they shall be constructed or installed so as to provide adequate and reliable illumination and shall conform to the appropriate rules and regulations established under section 4513.19 of the Revised Code. Historical motor vehicles as defined in section 4503.181 of the Revised Code, not originally manufactured with stop lights, are not subject to this section. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
Section 4513.08 \| Obscured lights on vehicles. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Whenever motor and other vehicles are operated in combination during the time that lights are required, any light, except tail lights, which by reason of its location on a vehicle of the combination would be obscured by another vehicle of the combination need not be lighted, but this section does not affect the requirement that lighted clearance lights be displayed on the front of the foremost vehicle required to have clearance lights or that all lights required on the rear of the rearmost vehicle of any combination shall be lighted.
Section 4513.09 \| Red light or flag required. Effective: October 16, 2009 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 128th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Whenever the load upon any vehicle extends to the rear four feet or more beyond the bed or body of such vehicle, there shall be displayed at the extreme rear end of the load, at the times specified in section 4513.03 of the Revised Code, a red light or lantern plainly visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet to the sides and rear. The red light or lantern required by this section is in addition to the red rear light required upon every vehicle. At any other time there shall be displayed at the extreme rear end of such load a red flag or cloth not less than sixteen inches square. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
Section 4513.10 \| Lights on parked vehicles. Effective: January 1, 2004 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 123 - 124th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Except in case of an emergency, whenever a vehicle is parked or stopped upon a roadway open to traffic or a shoulder adjacent thereto, whether attended or unattended, during the times mentioned in section 4513.03 of the Revised Code, such vehicle shall be equipped with one or more lights which shall exhibit a white or amber light on the roadway side visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the front of such vehicle, and a red light visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear. No lights need be displayed upon any such vehicle when it is stopped or parked within a municipal corporation where there is sufficient light to reveal any person or substantial object within a distance of five hundred feet upon such highway. Any lighted headlights upon a parked vehicle shall be depressed or dimmed. (B) Whoever violates this section shall be punished as provided in section 4513.99 of the Revised Code.
Section 4513.11 \| Definitions. Effective: August 31, 2022 Latest Legislation: House Bill 30 - 134th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF As used in sections 4513.11 to 4513.115 of the Revised Code: (A) "Boat trailer" means any vehicle designed and used exclusively to transport a boat between a place of storage and a marina, or in and around a marina, when drawn or towed on a street or highway for a distance of no more than ten miles and at a speed of twenty-five miles per hour or less. (B) "Slow-moving vehicle" and "SMV" mean a boat trailer, unit of farm machinery, road construction machinery, or other machinery designed by the manufacturer to operate at a speed of twenty-five miles per hour or less. "Slow-moving vehicle" and "SMV" do not include a bicycle, motorized bicycle, electric bicycle, or animal-drawn vehicle. Last updated October 13, 2022 at 5:26 PM
Section 4513.111 \| Light and reflector requirements for older model farm machinery and agricultural tractors. Effective: August 31, 2022 Latest Legislation: House Bill 30 - 134th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) At the times specified in section 4513.03 of the Revised Code, no person shall operate either of the following vehicles unless it is equipped with and displays the lamps described in division (B) of this section: (1) A vehicle not specifically required to be equipped with lamps or other lighting devices by sections 4513.03 to 4513.10 of the Revised Code; (2) A vehicle referred to in division (G) of section 4513.02 of the Revised Code. (B) Vehicles described in division (A) of this section shall be equipped with both of the following: (1) At least one lamp displaying a white light visible from a distance of not less than one thousand feet to the front of the vehicle; (2) Two lamps displaying red light visible from a distance of not less than one thousand feet to the rear of the vehicle, or as an alternative, one lamp displaying a red light visible from a distance of not less than one thousand feet to the rear and two red reflectors visible from all distances of six hundred feet to one hundred feet to the rear when illuminated by the lawful lower beams of headlamps. (C)(1) At the times specified in section 4513.03 of the Revised Code, no person shall operate a multi-wheel agricultural tractor model year 2001 or earlier on a street or highway unless it is equipped with and displays reflectors and illuminated amber lamps so that the extreme left and right projections of the tractor are indicated by all of the following: (a) Flashing lamps displaying amber light, visible to the front and the rear. The lamps need not flash simultaneously and need not flash in conjunction with any directional signals of the tractor. (b) Amber reflectors, all visible to the front; (c) Red reflectors, all visible to the rear. (2) Rules adopted by the director of public safety under this section governing the lamps and reflectors described in division (C)(1) of this section and their placement shall correlate with and, as far as possible, conform with paragraphs 4.1.4.1, 4.1.7.1, and 4.1.7.2 respectively of the American society of agricultural engineers standard ANSI/ASAE S279.10 OCT 98, lighting and marking of agricultural equipment on highways. (D) At the times specified in section 4513.03 of the Revised Code, no person shall operate a unit of farm machinery model year 2002 or later on a street or highway unless it is equipped with and displays markings and illuminated lamps that meet or exceed the lighting, illumination, and marking standards and specifications that are applicable to that type of farm machinery for the unit's model year specified in the American society of agricultural engineers standard ANSI/ASAE S279.10 OCT 98, lighting and marking of agricultural equipment on highways. (E) Any unit of farm machinery designed by its manufacturer to operate at a speed of twenty-five miles per hour or greater or any SMV may be equipped with and display a red flashing light that is visible from a distance of not less than one thousand feet to the rear at all times specified in section 4513.03 of the Revised Code. When a double-faced light is used, it shall display amber light to the front and red light to the rear. (F) Lights and reflectors required under divisions (C) and (D) of this section and authorized under division (E) of this section are in addition to other lights required or permitted by this section or section 4513.17 of the Revised Code. (G) The director of public safety shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code that establish standards and specifications for lamps and reflectors required or authorized by this section. Lamps and reflectors required or authorized by this section shall meet those standards and specifications. (H) This section does not apply to a bicycle, motorized bicycle, electric bicycle, or animal-drawn vehicle. (I) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. Last updated January 13, 2023 at 12:28 PM
Section 4513.112 \| Speed and emblem requirements for slow moving vehicles. Effective: August 31, 2022 Latest Legislation: House Bill 30 - 134th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Except as otherwise provided in division (B)(1) of this section, no person shall operate an SMV on a street or highway as follows: (1) At a speed exceeding twenty-five miles per hour; (2) Without displaying the triangular SMV emblem mounted in accordance with division (B) of this section. (B) The SMV emblem shall be mounted so as to be visible from a distance of not less than five hundred feet to the rear. In accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, the director of public safety shall adopt standards and specifications for the design and position of mounting the SMV emblem. The standards and specifications for the SMV emblem shall correlate with and, so far as possible, conform with those approved by the American society of agricultural engineers. (C) A person may operate an SMV on a street or highway without displaying the triangular SMV emblem when any of the following apply: (1) The SMV is being used in actual construction and maintenance work in an area guarded by a flagperson, or where flares are used. (2) The SMV is operating or traveling within the limits of a construction area designated by the director of transportation, a city engineer, or the county engineer of the several counties, when such construction area is marked in accordance with requirements of the director and the manual of uniform traffic control devices, as set forth in section 4511.09 of the Revised Code. (D) No person shall display an SMV emblem on any of the following: (1) Any vehicle not required to use the SMV emblem by this section or section 4513.113 or 4513.114 of the Revised Code; (2) An SMV being transported upon any other vehicle; (3) Any stationary object on the highway. (E) No person shall sell, lease, rent, or operate an SMV, except a unit designed to be completely mounted on a primary power unit that is manufactured or assembled on or after April 1, 1966, unless it is equipped with an SMV emblem mounting device. (F) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. Last updated October 13, 2022 at 5:29 PM
Section 4513.113 \| Emblem and symbol requirements for farm machinery and agricultural tractors. Effective: August 31, 2022 Latest Legislation: House Bill 30 - 134th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) No person shall sell, lease, rent, or operate on a street or highway any unit of farm machinery that is designed by its manufacturer to operate at a speed greater than twenty-five miles per hour unless the unit displays both of the following: (1) The SMV emblem mounted in accordance with division (B) of section 4513.112 of the Revised Code; (2) A speed identification symbol that does both of the following: (a) Meets the specifications contained in the American society of agricultural engineers standard ANSI/ASAE S584 JAN2005, agricultural equipment: speed identification symbol (SIS); (b) Indicates the maximum speed in miles per hour at which the unit of farm machinery is designed by its manufacturer to operate. (B) No person operating a tractor on a street or highway that is designed by its manufacturer to operate at a speed greater than twenty-five miles per hour and that is towing, pulling, or otherwise drawing a unit of farm machinery while operating at a speed greater than twenty-five miles per hour shall fail to display both of the following on the unit of farm machinery: (1) The SMV emblem; (2) The speed identification symbol that matches the speed identification symbol required to be displayed on the agricultural tractor. (C) No person shall operate an agricultural tractor that is designed by its manufacturer to operate at a speed greater than twenty-five miles per hour unless the person possesses documentation published or provided by the manufacturer indicating the maximum speed in miles per hour at which the manufacturer designed the agricultural tractor to operate. (D) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. Last updated October 13, 2022 at 5:31 PM
Section 4513.114 \| Light, reflector, and emblem requirements for animal-drawn vehicles. Effective: August 31, 2022 Latest Legislation: House Bill 30 - 134th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Except as otherwise provided in division (D) of this section, no person shall operate an animal-drawn vehicle on a street or highway unless it is equipped with and displays, at the times specified in section 4513.03 of the Revised Code, both of the following: (1) At least one lamp displaying a white light visible from a distance of not less than one thousand feet to the front of the animal-drawn vehicle; (2) Two lamps displaying red light visible from a distance of not less than one thousand feet to the rear of the animal-drawn vehicle, or as an alternative, one lamp displaying a red light visible from a distance of not less than one thousand feet to the rear and two red reflectors visible from all distances of six hundred feet to one hundred feet to the rear when illuminated by the lawful lower beams of headlamps. (B) Except as otherwise provided in division (D) of this section, no person shall operate an animal-drawn vehicle on a street or highway unless it is equipped with and displays, at all times, all of the following: (1) One yellow flashing lamp displaying yellow light that is visible from a distance of not less than one thousand feet and that is mounted in either of the following positions: (a) On the top most portion of the rear of the animal-drawn vehicle; (b) On the top of the animal-drawn vehicle. (2) At least one of the following: (a) An SMV emblem mounted in accordance with division (B) of section 4513.112 of the Revised Code; (b) Micro-prism reflective tape that is visible from a distance of not less than five hundred feet to the rear when illuminated by the lawful lower beams of headlamps; (c) Both an SMV emblem and micro-prism reflective tape, as specified in this division. Lamps and micro-prism reflective tape required by this section shall meet standards and specifications adopted by the director of public safety under this section. (C) The director of public safety, in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, shall adopt rules establishing standards and specifications for the position and mounting of the lamps and micro-prism reflective tape required by this section. The rules shall only permit the micro-prism reflective tape to be red, amber, white, or silver in color. (D)(1) Divisions (A) and (B) of this section do not apply to the operator of animal-drawn agricultural equipment who is not transporting any livestock or a person other than the operator. (2) No operator described in division (D)(1) of this section shall operate animal-drawn agricultural equipment unless it is equipped with and displays, at all times, the SMV emblem mounted in accordance with division (B) of section 4513.112 of the Revised Code. (3) As used in divisions (D)(1) to (3) of this section, "animal-drawn agricultural equipment" means equipment drawn by the muscular power of an animal that is used solely for agricultural purposes. "Animal-drawn agricultural equipment" includes any of the following: (a) A plow ; (b) A manure spreader; (c) A thresher. (E) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. Last updated October 13, 2022 at 5:32 PM
Section 4513.115 \| Strict liability offenses for farm machinery, SMV, and animal-drawn vehicle violations. Effective: August 31, 2022 Latest Legislation: House Bill 30 - 134th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The offenses established under sections 4513.111 to 4513.115 of the Revised Code are strict liability offenses, and section 2901.20 of the Revised Code does not apply. The designation of these offenses as strict liability offenses shall not be construed to imply that any other offense, for which there is no specified degree of culpability, is not a strict liability offense. Last updated October 13, 2022 at 5:40 PM
Section 4513.12 \| Specifications for spotlights and auxiliary driving lights. Effective: October 16, 2009 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 128th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than one spotlight and every lighted spotlight shall be so aimed and used upon approaching another vehicle that no part of the high-intensity portion of the beam will be directed to the left of the prolongation of the extreme left side of the vehicle, nor more than one hundred feet ahead of the vehicle. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than three auxiliary driving lights mounted on the front of the vehicle. The director of public safety shall prescribe specifications for auxiliary driving lights and regulations for their use, and any such lights which do not conform to said specifications and regulations shall not be used. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
Section 4513.13 \| Cowl, fender, and back-up lights. Effective: October 16, 2009 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 128th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with side cowl or fender lights which shall emit a white or amber light without glare. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with lights on each side thereof which shall emit a white or amber light without glare. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with back-up lights, either separately or in combination with another light. No back-up lights shall be continuously lighted when the motor vehicle is in forward motion. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
Section 4513.14 \| Two lighted lights to be displayed. Effective: October 16, 2009 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 128th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) At all times mentioned in section 4513.03 of the Revised Code at least two lighted lights shall be displayed, one near each side of the front of every motor vehicle and trackless trolley, except when such vehicle or trackless trolley is parked subject to the regulations governing lights on parked vehicles and trackless trolleys. The director of public safety shall prescribe and promulgate regulations relating to the design and use of such lights and such regulations shall be in accordance with currently recognized standards. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
Section 4513.15 \| Headlight illumination requirements - protection of oncoming drivers - high beam indicator. Effective: October 16, 2009 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 128th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Whenever a motor vehicle is being operated on a roadway or shoulder adjacent thereto during the times specified in section 4513.03 of the Revised Code, the driver shall use a distribution of light, or composite beam, directed high enough and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons, vehicles, and substantial objects at a safe distance in advance of the vehicle, subject to the following requirements; (1) Whenever the driver of a vehicle approaches an oncoming vehicle, such driver shall use a distribution of light, or composite beam, so aimed that the glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of the oncoming driver. (2) Every new motor vehicle registered in this state, which has multiple-beam road lighting equipment shall be equipped with a beam indicator, which shall be lighted whenever the uppermost distribution of light from the headlights is in use, and shall not otherwise be lighted. Said indicator shall be so designed and located that, when lighted, it will be readily visible without glare to the driver of the vehicle. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
Section 4513.16 \| Lights of less intensity. Effective: October 16, 2009 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 128th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Any motor vehicle may be operated under the conditions specified in section 4513.03 of the Revised Code when it is equipped with two lighted lights upon the front thereof capable of revealing persons and substantial objects seventy-five feet ahead, in lieu of lights required in section 4513.14 of the Revised Code, provided that such vehicle shall not be operated at a speed in excess of twenty miles per hour. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
Section 4513.17 \| Limit on number of lights. Effective: October 3, 2023 Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Whenever a motor vehicle equipped with headlights also is equipped with any auxiliary lights or spotlight or any other light on the front thereof projecting a beam of an intensity greater than three hundred candle power, not more than a total of five of any such lights on the front of a vehicle shall be lighted at any one time when the vehicle is upon a highway. (B) Any lighted light or illuminating device upon a motor vehicle, other than headlights, spotlights, signal lights, or auxiliary driving lights, that projects a beam of light of an intensity greater than three hundred candle power, shall be so directed that no part of the beam will strike the level of the roadway on which the vehicle stands at a distance of more than seventy-five feet from the vehicle. (C)(1) Flashing lights are prohibited on motor vehicles, except as a means for indicating a right or a left turn, or in the presence of a vehicular traffic hazard requiring unusual care in approaching, or overtaking or passing. (2) The prohibition in division (C)(1) of this section does not apply to any of the following: (a) Emergency vehicles, road service vehicles servicing or towing a disabled vehicle, stationary waste collection vehicles actively collecting garbage, refuse, trash, or recyclable materials on the roadside, rural mail delivery vehicles, vehicles as provided in section 4513.182 of the Revised Code, highway maintenance vehicles, and similar equipment operated by the department or local authorities, provided such vehicles are equipped with and display, when used on a street or highway for the special purpose necessitating such lights, a flashing, oscillating, or rotating amber light; (b) Vehicles or machinery permitted by section 4513.111 of the Revised Code to have a flashing red light; (c) Farm machinery and vehicles escorting farm machinery, provided such machinery and vehicles are equipped with and display, when used on a street or highway, a flashing, oscillating, or rotating amber light. Farm machinery also may display the lights described in section 4513.111 of the Revised Code. (d) A funeral hearse or funeral escort vehicle, provided that the funeral hearse or funeral escort vehicle is equipped with and displays, when used on a street or highway for the special purpose necessitating such lights, a flashing, oscillating, or rotating purple or amber light; (e) A vehicle being used for emergency preparedness, response, and recovery activities, as those terms are defined in section 5502.21 of the Revised Code, that is equipped with and displays, when used on a street or highway for the special purpose necessitating such lights, a flashing, oscillating, or rotating amber or red and white light, provided that the vehicle is being operated by a person from one of the following and the vehicle is clearly marked with the applicable agency's or authority's insignia: (i) The Ohio emergency management agency; (ii) A countywide emergency management agency established under section 5502.26 of the Revised Code; (iii) A regional authority for emergency management established under section 5502.27 of the Revised Code; (iv) A program for emergency management established under section 5502.271 of the Revised Code. (3) Division (C)(1) of this section does not apply to animal-drawn vehicles subject to section 4513.114 of the Revised Code. (D)(1) Except a person operating a public safety vehicle, as defined in division (E) of section 4511.01 of the Revised Code, an emergency management agency vehicle, as described in division (C)(2)(e) of this section, or a school bus, no person shall operate, move, or park upon, or permit to stand within the right-of-way of any public street or highway any vehicle or equipment that is equipped with and displaying a flashing red or a flashing combination red and white light, or an oscillating or rotating red light, or a combination red and white oscillating or rotating light. (2) Except a public law enforcement officer, or other person sworn to enforce the criminal and traffic laws of the state, operating a public safety vehicle when on duty, no person shall operate, move, or park upon, or permit to stand within the right-of-way of any street or highway any vehicle or equipment that is equipped with, or upon which is mounted, and displaying a flashing blue or a flashing combination blue and white light, or an oscillating or rotating blue light, or a combination blue and white oscillating or rotating light. (E) This section does not prohibit the use of warning lights required by law or the simultaneous flashing of turn signals on disabled vehicles or on vehicles being operated in unfavorable atmospheric conditions in order to enhance their visibility. This section also does not prohibit the simultaneous flashing of turn signals or warning lights either on farm machinery or vehicles escorting farm machinery, when used on a street or highway. (F) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. Last updated August 3, 2023 at 2:45 PM
Section 4513.171 \| Lights on coroner's vehicle. Effective: October 16, 2009 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 128th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a motor vehicle operated by a coroner, deputy coroner, or coroner's investigator may be equipped with a flashing, oscillating, or rotating red or blue light and a siren, whistle, or bell capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than five hundred feet. Such a vehicle may display the flashing, oscillating, or rotating red or blue light and may give the audible signal of the siren, exhaust whistle, or bell only when responding to a fatality or a fatal motor vehicle accident on a street or highway and only at those locations where the stoppage of traffic impedes the ability of the coroner, deputy coroner, or coroner's investigator to arrive at the site of the fatality. This section does not relieve a coroner, deputy coroner, or coroner's investigator operating a motor vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons and property upon the highway. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
Section 4513.18 \| Lights on snow removal equipment and oversize vehicles. Effective: September 10, 2012 Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) The director of transportation shall adopt standards and specifications applicable to headlights, clearance lights, identification, and other lights, on snow removal equipment when operated on the highways, and on vehicles operating under special permits pursuant to section 4513.34 of the Revised Code, in lieu of the lights otherwise required on motor vehicles. Such standards and specifications may permit the use of flashing colored lights, other than blue or red in color, for purposes of identification on snow removal equipment, and oversize vehicles when in service upon the highways. The standards and specifications for lights referred to in this section shall correlate with and, so far as possible, conform with those approved by the American association of state highway officials. It is unlawful to operate snow removal equipment on a highway unless the lights thereon comply with and are lighted when and as required by the standards and specifications adopted as provided in this section. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
Section 4513.181 \| Standards and specifications applicable to rural mail delivery vehicles, state highway survey vehicles, and funeral escort vehicles. Effective: November 12, 1992 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 98 - 119th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The director of public safety subject to the provisions of sections 119.01 to 119.13 of the Revised Code shall adopt standards and specifications applicable to rural mail delivery vehicles, state highway survey vehicles, and funeral escort vehicles. Such standards and specifications shall permit rural mail delivery vehicles, state highway survey vehicles, and funeral escort vehicles the use of flashing lights.
Section 4513.182 \| Lights and sign on vehicle transporting preschool children. Effective: October 3, 2023 Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) No person shall operate any motor vehicle owned, leased, or hired by a nursery school, kindergarten, or child care center, while transporting preschool children to or from such an institution unless the motor vehicle is equipped with and displaying two amber flashing lights mounted on a bar attached to the top of the vehicle, and a sign bearing the designation "caution--children," which shall be attached to the bar carrying the amber flashing lights in such a manner as to be legible to persons both in front of and behind the vehicle. The lights and sign shall meet standards and specifications adopted by the director of public safety. The director, subject to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, shall adopt standards and specifications for the lights and sign, which shall include, but are not limited to, requirements for the color and size of lettering to be used on the sign, the type of material to be used for the sign, and the method of mounting the lights and sign so that they can be removed from a motor vehicle being used for purposes other than those specified in this section. (B) No person shall operate a motor vehicle displaying the lights and sign required by this section for any purpose other than the transportation of preschool children as provided in this section. (C) Whoever violates this section shall be punished as provided in section 4513.99 of the Revised Code. Last updated August 23, 2023 at 9:09 AM
Section 4513.19 \| Regulations for focus, aim, and color of headlights. Effective: July 10, 2014 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 161 - 130th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) No person shall use any lights mentioned in sections 4513.03 to 4513.18 of the Revised Code upon any motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer unless said lights are equipped, mounted, and adjusted as to focus and aim in accordance with regulations which are prescribed by the director of public safety. (B) The headlights on any motor vehicle shall comply with the headlamp color requirements contained in federal motor vehicle safety standard number 108, 49 C.F.R. 571.108. No person shall operate a motor vehicle in violation of this division. (C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
Section 4513.20 \| Brake equipment for vehicles. Effective: June 30, 2007 Latest Legislation: House Bill 67 - 127th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) The following requirements govern as to brake equipment on vehicles: (1) Every trackless trolley and motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, when operated upon a highway shall be equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold such trackless trolley or motor vehicle, including two separate means of applying the brakes, each of which means shall be effective to apply the brakes to at least two wheels. If these two separate means of applying the brakes are connected in any way, then on such trackless trolleys or motor vehicles manufactured or assembled after January 1, 1942, they shall be so constructed that failure of any one part of the operating mechanism shall not leave the trackless trolley or motor vehicle without brakes on at least two wheels. (2) Every motorcycle, when operated upon a highway shall be equipped with at least one adequate brake, which may be operated by hand or by foot. (3) Every motorized bicycle shall be equipped with brakes meeting the rules adopted by the director of public safety under section 4511.521 of the Revised Code. (4) When operated upon the highways of this state, the following vehicles shall be equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and to hold the vehicle, designed to be applied by the driver of the towing motor vehicle from its cab, and also designed and connected so that, in case of a breakaway of the towed vehicle, the brakes shall be automatically applied: (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, every trailer or semitrailer, except a pole trailer, with an empty weight of two thousand pounds or more, manufactured or assembled on or after January 1, 1942; (b) Every manufactured home or travel trailer with an empty weight of two thousand pounds or more, manufactured or assembled on or after January 1, 2001. (5) Every watercraft trailer with a gross weight or manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of three thousand pounds or more that is manufactured or assembled on or after January 1, 2008, shall have separate brakes equipped with hydraulic surge or electrically operated brakes on two wheels. (6) In any combination of motor-drawn trailers or semitrailers equipped with brakes, means shall be provided for applying the rearmost brakes in approximate synchronism with the brakes on the towing vehicle, and developing the required braking effort on the rearmost wheels at the fastest rate; or means shall be provided for applying braking effort first on the rearmost brakes; or both of the above means, capable of being used alternatively, may be employed. (7) Every vehicle and combination of vehicles, except motorcycles and motorized bicycles, and except trailers and semitrailers of a gross weight of less than two thousand pounds, and pole trailers, shall be equipped with parking brakes adequate to hold the vehicle on any grade on which it is operated, under all conditions of loading, on a surface free from snow, ice, or loose material. The parking brakes shall be capable of being applied in conformance with the foregoing requirements by the driver's muscular effort or by spring action or by equivalent means. Their operation may be assisted by the service brakes or other source of power provided that failure of the service brake actuation system or other power assisting mechanism will not prevent the parking brakes from being applied in conformance with the foregoing requirements. The parking brakes shall be so designed that when once applied they shall remain applied with the required effectiveness despite exhaustion of any source of energy or leakage of any kind. (8) The same brake drums, brake shoes and lining assemblies, brake shoe anchors, and mechanical brake shoe actuation mechanism normally associated with the wheel brake assemblies may be used for both the service brakes and the parking brakes. If the means of applying the parking brakes and the service brakes are connected in any way, they shall be so constructed that failure of any one part shall not leave the vehicle without operative brakes. (9) Every trackless trolley, motor vehicle, or combination of motor-drawn vehicles shall be capable at all times and under all conditions of loading of being stopped on a dry, smooth, level road free from loose material, upon application of the service or foot brake, within the following specified distances, or shall be capable of being decelerated at a sustained rate corresponding to these distances: (a) Trackless trolleys, vehicles, or combinations of vehicles having brakes on all wheels shall come to a stop in thirty feet or less from a speed of twenty miles per hour. (b) Vehicles or combinations of vehicles not having brakes on all wheels shall come to a stop in forty feet or less from a speed of twenty miles per hour. (10) All brakes shall be maintained in good working order and shall be so adjusted as to operate as equally as practicable with respect to the wheels on opposite sides of the trackless trolley or vehicle. (B) Whoever violates this section shall be punished as provided in section 4513.99 of the Revised Code.
Section 4513.201 \| Brake fluid standards. Effective: January 1, 2004 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 123 - 124th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) No hydraulic brake fluid for use in motor vehicles shall be sold in this state if the brake fluid is below the minimum standard of specifications for heavy duty type brake fluid established by the society of automotive engineers and the standard of specifications established by 49 C.F.R. 571.116, as amended. (B) All manufacturers, packers, or distributors of brake fluid selling such fluid in this state shall state on the containers that the brake fluid therein meets or exceeds the applicable minimum SAE standard of specifications and the standard of specifications established in 49 C.F.R. 571.116, as amended. (C) Whoever violates this section shall be punished as provided in section 4513.99 of the Revised Code.
Section 4513.202 \| Brake lining, brake lining material, or brake lining assemblies standards. Effective: January 1, 2004 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 123 - 124th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) No brake lining, brake lining material, or brake lining assemblies for use as repair and replacement parts in motor vehicles shall be sold in this state if these items do not meet or exceed the minimum standard of specifications established by the society of automotive engineers and the standard of specifications established in 49 C.F.R. 571.105, as amended, and 49 C.F.R. 571.135, as amended. (B) All manufacturers or distributors of brake lining, brake lining material, or brake lining assemblies selling these items for use as repair and replacement parts in motor vehicles shall state that the items meet or exceed the applicable minimum standard of specifications. (C) Whoever violates this section shall be punished as provided in section 4513.99 of the Revised Code. (D) As used in this section, "minimum standard of specifications" means a minimum standard for brake system or brake component performance that meets the need for motor vehicle safety and complies with the applicable SAE standards and recommended practices, and the federal motor vehicle safety standards that cover the same aspect of performance for any brake lining, brake lining material, or brake lining assemblies.
Section 4513.21 \| Horns, sirens, and warning devices. Effective: October 16, 2009 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 128th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Every motor vehicle or trackless trolley when operated upon a highway shall be equipped with a horn which is in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible, under normal conditions, from a distance of not less than two hundred feet. No motor vehicle or trackless trolley shall be equipped with, nor shall any person use upon a vehicle, any siren, whistle, or bell. Any vehicle may be equipped with a theft alarm signal device which shall be so arranged that it cannot be used as an ordinary warning signal. Every emergency vehicle shall be equipped with a siren, whistle, or bell, capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than five hundred feet and of a type approved by the director of public safety. Such equipment shall not be used except when such vehicle is operated in response to an emergency call or is in the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law, in which case the driver of the emergency vehicle shall sound such equipment when it is necessary to warn pedestrians and other drivers of the approach thereof. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
Section 4513.22 \| Mufflers. Effective: October 16, 2009 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 128th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Every motor vehicle and motorcycle with an internal combustion engine shall at all times be equipped with a muffler which is in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise, and no person shall use a muffler cutout, by-pass, or similar device upon a motor vehicle on a highway. Every motorcycle muffler shall be equipped with baffle plates. No person shall own, operate, or have in the person's possession any motor vehicle or motorcycle equipped with a device for producing excessive smoke or gas, or so equipped as to permit oil or any other chemical to flow into or upon the exhaust pipe or muffler of such vehicle, or equipped in any other way to produce or emit smoke or dangerous or annoying gases from any portion of such vehicle, other than the ordinary gases emitted by the exhaust of an internal combustion engine under normal operation. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
Section 4513.221 \| Local regulation of passenger car and motorcycle noise. Effective: June 26, 1986 Latest Legislation: House Bill 131 - 116th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) The board of county commissioners of any county, and the board of township trustees of any township subject to section 505.17 of the Revised Code, may regulate passenger car and motorcycle noise on streets and highways under their jurisdiction. Such regulations shall include maximum permissible noise limits measured in decibels, subject to the requirements of this section. (B) Regulations establishing maximum permissible noise limits measured in decibels shall prohibit the operation, within the speed limits specified herein, of a passenger car or motorcycle of a type subject to registration at any time or under any condition of load, acceleration, or deceleration in such manner as to exceed the following maximum noise limits, based on a distance of not less than fifty feet from the center of the line of travel: (1) For passenger cars: (a) When operated at a speed of thirty-five miles per hour or less, a maximum noise limit of seventy decibels; (b) When operated at a speed of more than thirty-five miles per hour, a maximum noise limit of seventy-nine decibels. (2) For motorcycles: (a) When operated at a speed of thirty-five miles per hour or less, a maximum noise limit of eighty-two decibels; (b) When operated at a speed of more than thirty-five miles per hour, a maximum noise limit of eighty-six decibels. (C) Maximum noise limits established pursuant to division (B) of this section shall be measured on the "A" scale of a standard sound level meter meeting the applicable requirements for a type 2 sound level meter as defined in American national standards institute standard S1.4 - 1983, or the most recent revision thereof. Measurement practices shall be in substantial conformity with standards and recommended practice established by the society of automotive engineers, including SAE standard J 986 A NOV81, SAE standard J 366 MAR85, SAE standard J 331 A, and such other standards and practices as may be approved by the federal government. (D) No regulation enacted under division (B) of this section shall be effective until signs giving notice of the regulation are posted upon or at the entrance to the highway or part thereof affected, as may be most appropriate. (E) A board of county commissioners of any county may regulate noise from passenger cars, motorcycles, or other devices using internal combustion engines in the unincorporated area of the county, and a board of township trustees may regulate such noise in the unincorporated area of the township, in any of the following ways: (1) By prohibiting operating or causing to be operated any motor vehicle, agricultural tractor, motorcycle, all-purpose vehicle, or snowmobile not equipped with a factory-installed muffler or equivalent muffler in good working order and in constant operation; (2) By prohibiting the removing or rendering inoperative, or causing to be removed or rendered inoperative, other than for purposes of maintenance, repair, or replacement, of any muffler; (3) By prohibiting the discharge into the open air of exhaust of any stationary or portable internal combustion engine except through a factory-installed muffler or equivalent muffler in good working order and in constant operation; (4) By prohibiting racing the motor of any vehicle described in division (E)(1) of this section in such a manner that the exhaust system emits a loud, cracking, or chattering noise unusual to its normal operation. (F) Whoever violates any maximum noise limit established as provided in division (B) of this section or any of the prohibitions authorized in division (E) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. Fines collected under this section by the county shall be paid into the county general fund, and such fines collected by the township shall be paid into the township general fund. No regulation adopted under this section shall apply to commercial racetrack operations.
Section 4513.23 \| Rear view mirror. Effective: October 16, 2009 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 128th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Every motor vehicle, motorcycle, and trackless trolley shall be equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the operator a view of the highway to the rear of such vehicle, motorcycle, or trackless trolley. Operators of vehicles, motorcycles, streetcars, and trackless trolleys shall have a clear and unobstructed view to the front and to both sides of their vehicles, motorcycles, streetcars, or trackless trolleys and shall have a clear view to the rear of their vehicles, motorcycles, streetcars, or trackless trolleys by mirror. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
Section 4513.24 \| Windshield and windshield wipers. Effective: April 3, 2023 Latest Legislation: House Bill 392 - 134th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) No person shall drive any motor vehicle on a street or highway in this state, other than a motorcycle or motorized bicycle, that is not equipped with a windshield. (B)(1) No person shall drive any motor vehicle, other than a bus, with any sign, poster, or other nontransparent material upon the front windshield, sidewings, side, or rear windows of such vehicle other than a certificate or other paper required to be displayed by law, except that there may be in the lower left-hand or right-hand corner of the windshield a sign, poster, or decal not to exceed four inches in height by six inches in width. No sign, poster, or decal shall be displayed in the front windshield in such a manner as to conceal the vehicle identification number for the motor vehicle when, in accordance with federal law, that number is located inside the vehicle passenger compartment and so placed as to be readable through the vehicle glazing without moving any part of the vehicle. (2) Division (B)(1) of this section does not apply to a person who is driving a passenger car with an electronic device, including an antenna, electronic tolling or other transponder, camera, directional navigation device, or other similar electronic device located in the front windshield if either of the following apply to the device: (a) It is a "vehicle safety technology" as defined in 49 C.F.R. 393.5. and complies with 49 C.F.R. 393.60(e)(1)(ii). (b) It does not restrict the vehicle operator's sight lines to the road and highway signs and signals, and it does not conceal the vehicle identification number. (3) Division (B)(1) of this section does not apply to a person who is driving a commercial car with an electronic device, including an antenna, electronic tolling or other transponder, camera, directional navigation device, or other similar electronic device located in the front windshield if either of the following apply to the device: (a) It is a "vehicle safety technology" as defined in 49 C.F.R. 393.5. and complies with 49 C.F.R. 393.60(e)(1)(ii). (b) It does not restrict the vehicle operator's sight lines to the road and highway signs and signals, and it is mounted not more than eight and one-half inches below the upper edge of the windshield. (C) The windshield on every motor vehicle, streetcar, and trackless trolley shall be equipped with a device for cleaning rain, snow, or other moisture from the windshield. The device shall be maintained in good working order and so constructed as to be controlled or operated by the operator of the vehicle, streetcar, or trackless trolley. (D) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. Last updated January 23, 2023 at 9:07 AM
Section 4513.241 \| Using tinted glass and other vision obscuring materials. Effective: March 22, 2013 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 114 - 129th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) The director of public safety, in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, shall adopt rules governing the use of tinted glass, and the use of transparent, nontransparent, translucent, and reflectorized materials in or on motor vehicle windshields, side windows, sidewings, and rear windows that prevent a person of normal vision looking into the motor vehicle from seeing or identifying persons or objects inside the motor vehicle. (B) The rules adopted under this section may provide for persons who meet either of the following qualifications: (1) On November 11, 1994, or the effective date of any rule adopted under this section, own a motor vehicle that does not conform to the requirements of this section or of any rule adopted under this section; (2) Establish residency in this state and are required to register a motor vehicle that does not conform to the requirements of this section or of any rule adopted under this section. (C) No person shall operate, on any highway or other public or private property open to the public for vehicular travel or parking, lease, or rent any motor vehicle that is registered in this state unless the motor vehicle conforms to the requirements of this section and of any applicable rule adopted under this section. (D) No person shall install in or on any motor vehicle, any glass or other material that fails to conform to the requirements of this section or of any rule adopted under this section. (E)(1) No used motor vehicle dealer or new motor vehicle dealer, as defined in section 4517.01 of the Revised Code, shall sell any motor vehicle that fails to conform to the requirements of this section or of any rule adopted under this section. (2) No manufacturer, remanufacturer, or distributor, as defined in section 4517.01 of the Revised Code, shall provide to a motor vehicle dealer licensed under Chapter 4517. of the Revised Code or to any other person, a motor vehicle that fails to conform to the requirements of this section or of any rule adopted under this section. (F) No reflectorized materials shall be permitted upon or in any front windshield, side windows, sidewings, or rear window. (G) This section does not apply to the manufacturer's tinting or glazing of motor vehicle windows or windshields that is otherwise in compliance with or permitted by federal motor vehicle safety standard number two hundred five. (H) With regard to any side window behind a driver's seat or any rear window other than any window on an emergency door, this section does not apply to any school bus used to transport a child with disabilities pursuant to Chapter 3323. of the Revised Code, whom it is impossible or impractical to transport by regular school bus in the course of regular route transportation provided by a school district. As used in this division, "child with disabilities" has the same meaning as in section 3323.01 of the Revised Code. (I) This section does not apply to any school bus that is to be sold and operated outside this state. (J)(1) This section and the rules adopted under it do not apply to a motor vehicle used by a law enforcement agency under either of the following circumstances: (a) The vehicle does not have distinctive markings of a law enforcement vehicle but is operated by or on behalf of the law enforcement agency in an authorized investigation or other activity requiring that the presence and identity of the vehicle occupants be undisclosed. (b) The vehicle primarily is used by the law enforcement canine unit for transporting a police dog. (2) As used in this division, "law enforcement agency" means a police department, the office of a sheriff, the state highway patrol, a county prosecuting attorney, or a federal, state, or local governmental body that enforces criminal laws and that has employees who have a statutory power of arrest. (K)(1) Whoever violates division (C), (E)(2), or (F) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. (2) Whoever violates division (E)(1) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor if the dealer or the dealer's agent knew of the nonconformity at the time of sale. (3)(a) Whoever violates division (D) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree, except that an organization may not be convicted unless the act of installation was authorized by the board of directors, trustees, partners, or by a high managerial officer acting on behalf of the organization, and installation was performed by an employee of the organization acting within the scope of the person's employment. (b) In addition to any other penalty imposed under this section, whoever violates division (D) of this section is liable in a civil action to the owner of a motor vehicle on which was installed the nonconforming glass or material for any damages incurred by that person as a result of the installation of the nonconforming glass or material, costs of maintaining the civil action, and attorney fees. (c) In addition to any other penalty imposed under this section, if the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of division (D) of this section and the offender is a motor vehicle repair operator registered under Chapter 4775. of the Revised Code or a motor vehicle dealer licensed under Chapter 4517. of the Revised Code, whoever violates division (D) of this section is subject to a registration or license suspension, as applicable, for a period of not more than one hundred eighty days. (L)(1) Every county court judge, mayor of a mayor's court, and clerk of a court of record shall keep a full record of every case in which a person is charged with any violation of this section. If a person is convicted of or forfeits bail in relation to a violation of division (D) of this section, the county court judge, mayor of a mayor's court, or clerk, within ten days after the conviction or bail forfeiture, shall prepare and immediately forward to the motor vehicle repair board and the motor vehicle dealers board, an abstract, certified by the preparer to be true and correct, of the court record covering the case in which the person was convicted or forfeited bail. (2) The motor vehicle repair board and the motor vehicle dealers board each shall keep and maintain all abstracts received under this section. Within ten days after receipt of an abstract, each board, respectively, shall determine whether the person named in the abstract is registered or licensed with the board and, if the person is so registered or licensed, shall proceed in accordance with section 4775.09 or 4517.33 of the Revised Code, as applicable, and determine whether the person's registration or license is to be suspended for a period of not more than one hundred eighty days.
Section 4513.242 \| Displaying security decal on side window or sidewing. Effective: October 16, 2009 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 128th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Notwithstanding section 4513.24 and division (F) of section 4513.241 of the Revised Code or any rule adopted thereunder, a decal, whether reflectorized or not, may be displayed upon any side window or sidewing of a motor vehicle if all of the following are met: (1) The decal is necessary for public or private security arrangements to which the motor vehicle periodically is subjected; (2) The decal is no larger than is necessary to accomplish the security arrangements; (3) The decal does not obscure the vision of the motor vehicle operator or prevent a person looking into the motor vehicle from seeing or identifying persons or objects inside the motor vehicle. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
Section 4513.25 \| Solid tire requirements. Effective: January 1, 2004 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 123 - 124th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Every solid tire, as defined in section 4501.01 of the Revised Code, on a vehicle shall have rubber or other resilient material on its entire traction surface at least one inch thick above the edge of the flange of the entire periphery. (B) Whoever violates this section shall be punished as provided in section 4513.99 of the Revised Code.
Section 4513.26 \| Safety glass required for new vehicles. Effective: January 1, 2004 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 123 - 124th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) No person shall sell any new motor vehicle nor shall any new motor vehicle be registered, and no person shall operate any motor vehicle, which is registered in this state and which has been manufactured or assembled on or after January 1, 1936, unless the motor vehicle is equipped with safety glass wherever glass is used in the windshields, doors, partitions, rear windows, and windows on each side immediately adjacent to the rear window. "Safety glass" means any product composed of glass so manufactured, fabricated, or treated as substantially to prevent shattering and flying of the glass when it is struck or broken, or such other or similar product as may be approved by the registrar of motor vehicles. Glass other than safety glass shall not be offered for sale, or sold for use in, or installed in any door, window, partition, or windshield that is required by this section to be equipped with safety glass. (B) Whoever violates this section shall be punished as provided in section 4513.99 of the Revised Code.
Section 4513.261 \| Vehicles to be equipped with electrical or mechanical directional signals. Effective: January 1, 2004 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 123 - 124th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A)(1) No person shall operate any motor vehicle manufactured or assembled on or after January 1, 1954, unless the vehicle is equipped with electrical or mechanical directional signals. (2) No person shall operate any motorcycle or motor-driven cycle manufactured or assembled on or after January 1, 1968, unless the vehicle is equipped with electrical or mechanical directional signals. (B) "Directional signals" means an electrical or mechanical signal device capable of clearly indicating an intention to turn either to the right or to the left and which shall be visible from both the front and rear. (C) All mechanical signal devices shall be self-illuminating devices when in use at the times mentioned in section 4513.03 of the Revised Code. (D) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
Section 4513.262 \| Seat safety belt or anchorage units required. Effective: January 1, 2004 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 123 - 124th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) As used in this section and in section 4513.263 of the Revised Code, the component parts of a "seat safety belt" include a belt, anchor attachment assembly, and a buckle or closing device. (B) No person shall sell, lease, rent, or operate any passenger car, as defined in division (E) of section 4501.01 of the Revised Code, that is registered or to be registered in this state and that is manufactured or assembled on or after January 1, 1962, unless the passenger car is equipped with sufficient anchorage units at the attachment points for attaching at least two sets of seat safety belts to its front seat. Such anchorage units at the attachment points shall be of such construction, design, and strength to support a loop load pull of not less than four thousand pounds for each belt. (C) No person shall sell, lease, or rent any passenger car, as defined in division (E) of section 4501.01 of the Revised Code, that is registered or to be registered in this state and that is manufactured or assembled on or after January 1, 1966, unless the passenger car has installed in its front seat at least two seat safety belt assemblies. (D) After January 1, 1966, neither any seat safety belt for use in a motor vehicle nor any component part of any such seat safety belt shall be sold in this state unless the seat safety belt or the component part satisfies the minimum standard of specifications established by the society of automotive engineers for automotive seat belts and unless the seat safety belt or component part is labeled so as to indicate that it meets those minimum standard specifications. (E) Each sale, lease, or rental in violation of this section constitutes a separate offense. (F) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
Section 4513.263 \| Occupant restraining devices. Effective: July 3, 2019 Latest Legislation: House Bill 62 - 133rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) As used in this section and in section 4513.99 of the Revised Code: (1) "Automobile" means any commercial tractor, passenger car, commercial car, or truck that is required to be factory-equipped with an occupant restraining device for the operator or any passenger by regulations adopted by the United States secretary of transportation pursuant to the "National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966," 80 Stat. 719, 15 U.S.C.A. 1392. (2) "Occupant restraining device" means a seat safety belt, shoulder belt, harness, or other safety device for restraining a person who is an operator of or passenger in an automobile and that satisfies the minimum federal vehicle safety standards established by the United States department of transportation. (3) "Passenger" means any person in an automobile, other than its operator, who is occupying a seating position for which an occupant restraining device is provided. (4) "Commercial tractor," "passenger car," and "commercial car" have the same meanings as in section 4501.01 of the Revised Code. (5) "Vehicle" and "motor vehicle," as used in the definitions of the terms set forth in division (A)(4) of this section, have the same meanings as in section 4511.01 of the Revised Code. (6) "Tort action" means a civil action for damages for injury, death, or loss to person or property. "Tort action" includes a product liability claim, as defined in section 2307.71 of the Revised Code, and an asbestos claim, as defined in section 2307.91 of the Revised Code, but does not include a civil action for damages for breach of contract or another agreement between persons. (B) No person shall do any of the following: (1) Operate an automobile on any street or highway unless that person is wearing all of the available elements of a properly adjusted occupant restraining device, or operate a school bus that has an occupant restraining device installed for use in its operator's seat unless that person is wearing all of the available elements of the device, as properly adjusted; (2) Operate an automobile on any street or highway unless each passenger in the automobile who is subject to the requirement set forth in division (B)(3) of this section is wearing all of the available elements of a properly adjusted occupant restraining device; (3) Occupy, as a passenger, a seating position on the front seat of an automobile being operated on any street or highway unless that person is wearing all of the available elements of a properly adjusted occupant restraining device; (4) Operate a taxicab on any street or highway unless all factory-equipped occupant restraining devices in the taxicab are maintained in usable form. (C)(1) Division (B)(3) of this section does not apply to a person who is required by section 4511.81 of the Revised Code to be secured in a child restraint device or booster seat. (2) Division (B)(1) of this section does not apply to a person who is an employee of the United States postal service or of a newspaper home delivery service, during any period in which the person is engaged in the operation of an automobile to deliver mail or newspapers to addressees. (3) Divisions (B)(1) and (3) of this section do not apply to a person who has an affidavit signed by a physician licensed to practice in this state under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code or a chiropractor licensed to practice in this state under Chapter 4734. of the Revised Code that states the following: (a) That the person has a physical impairment that makes use of an occupant restraining device impossible or impractical; (b) Whether the physical impairment is temporary, permanent, or reasonably expected to be permanent; (c) If the physical impairment is temporary, how long the physical impairment is expected to make the use of an occupant restraining device impossible or impractical. (4) Divisions (B)(1) and (3) of this section do not apply to a person who has registered with the registrar of motor vehicles in accordance with division (C)(5) of this section. (5) A person who has received an affidavit under division (C)(3) of this section stating that the person has a permanent or reasonably expected to be permanent physical impairment that makes use of an occupant restraining device impossible or impracticable may register with the registrar attesting to that fact. Upon such registration, the registrar shall make that information available in the law enforcement automated data system. A person included in the database under division (C)(5) of this section is not required to have the affidavit obtained in accordance with division (C)(3) of this section in their possession while operating or occupying an automobile. (6) A physician or chiropractor who issues an affidavit for the purposes of division (C)(3) or (4) of this section is immune from civil liability arising from any injury or death sustained by the person who was issued the affidavit due to the failure of the person to wear an occupant restraining device unless the physician or chiropractor, in issuing the affidavit, acted in a manner that constituted willful, wanton, or reckless misconduct. (7) The registrar shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code establishing a process for a person to be included in the database under division (C)(5) of this section. The information provided and included in the database under division (C)(5) of this section is not a public record subject to inspection or copying under section 149.43 of the Revised Code. (D) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no law enforcement officer shall cause an operator of an automobile being operated on any street or highway to stop the automobile for the sole purpose of determining whether a violation of division (B) of this section has been or is being committed or for the sole purpose of issuing a ticket, citation, or summons for a violation of that nature or causing the arrest of or commencing a prosecution of a person for a violation of that nature, and no law enforcement officer shall view the interior or visually inspect any automobile being operated on any street or highway for the sole purpose of determining whether a violation of that nature has been or is being committed. (E) All fines collected for violations of division (B) of this section, or for violations of any ordinance or resolution of a political subdivision that is substantively comparable to that division, shall be forwarded to the treasurer of state for deposit into the state treasury to the credit of the trauma and emergency medical services fund, which is hereby created. In addition, the portion of the driver's license reinstatement fee described in division (F)(2)(g) of section 4511.191 of the Revised Code, plus all fees collected under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code, plus all fines imposed under section 4765.55 of the Revised Code, plus the fees and other moneys specified in section 4766.05 of the Revised Code, and plus five per cent of fines and moneys arising from bail forfeitures as directed by section 5503.04 of the Revised Code, also shall be deposited into the trauma and emergency medical services fund. All money deposited into the trauma and emergency medical services fund shall be used by the department of public safety for the administration and operation of the division of emergency medical services and the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services, and by the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services to make grants, in accordance with section 4765.07 of the Revised Code and rules the board adopts under section 4765.11 of the Revised Code. The director of budget and management may transfer excess money from the trauma and emergency medical services fund to the public safety - highway purposes fund established in section 4501.06 of the Revised Code if the director of public safety determines that the amount of money in the trauma and emergency medical services fund exceeds the amount required to cover such costs incurred by the emergency medical services agency and the grants made by the state board of emergency medical, fire, and transportation services and requests the director of budget and management to make the transfer. (F)(1) Subject to division (F)(2) of this section, the failure of a person to wear all of the available elements of a properly adjusted occupant restraining device in violation of division (B)(1) or (3) of this section or the failure of a person to ensure that each minor who is a passenger of an automobile being operated by that person is wearing all of the available elements of a properly adjusted occupant restraining device in violation of division (B)(2) of this section shall not be considered or used by the trier of fact in a tort action as evidence of negligence or contributory negligence. But, the trier of fact may determine based on evidence admitted consistent with the Ohio Rules of Evidence that the failure contributed to the harm alleged in the tort action and may diminish a recovery of compensatory damages that represents noneconomic loss, as defined in section 2307.011 of the Revised Code, in a tort action that could have been recovered but for the plaintiff's failure to wear all of the available elements of a properly adjusted occupant restraining device. Evidence of that failure shall not be used as a basis for a criminal prosecution of the person other than a prosecution for a violation of this section; and shall not be admissible as evidence in a criminal action involving the person other than a prosecution for a violation of this section. (2) If, at the time of an accident involving a passenger car equipped with occupant restraining devices, any occupant of the passenger car who sustained injury or death was not wearing an available occupant restraining device, was not wearing all of the available elements of such a device, or was not wearing such a device as properly adjusted, then, consistent with the Rules of Evidence, the fact that the occupant was not wearing the available occupant restraining device, was not wearing all of the available elements of such a device, or was not wearing such a device as properly adjusted is admissible in evidence in relation to any claim for relief in a tort action to the extent that the claim for relief satisfies all of the following: (a) It seeks to recover damages for injury or death to the occupant. (b) The defendant in question is the manufacturer, designer, distributor, or seller of the passenger car. (c) The claim for relief against the defendant in question is that the injury or death sustained by the occupant was enhanced or aggravated by some design defect in the passenger car or that the passenger car was not crashworthy. (G)(1) Whoever violates division (B)(1) of this section shall be fined thirty dollars. (2) Whoever violates division (B)(3) of this section shall be fined twenty dollars. (3) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates division (B)(4) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of division (B)(4) of this section, whoever violates division (B)(4) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
Section 4513.27 \| Extra signal equipment required for motor truck, trackless trolley, bus, or commercial tractor. Effective: January 1, 2004 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 123 - 124th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) No person shall operate any motor truck, trackless trolley, bus, or commercial tractor upon any highway outside the corporate limits of municipalities at any time from sunset to sunrise unless there is carried in such vehicle and trackless trolley, except as provided in division (B) of this section, the following equipment which shall be of the types approved by the director of transportation: (1) At least three flares or three red reflectors or three red electric lanterns, each of which is capable of being seen and distinguished at a distance of five hundred feet under normal atmospheric conditions at night time; (2) At least three red-burning fusees, unless red reflectors or red electric lanterns are carried; (3) At least two red cloth flags, not less than twelve inches square, with standards to support them; (4) The type of red reflectors shall comply with such standards and specifications in effect on September 16, 1963 or later established by the interstate commerce commission and must be certified as meeting such standards by underwriter's laboratories. (B) No person shall operate at the time and under the conditions stated in this section any motor vehicle used in transporting flammable liquids in bulk, or in transporting compressed flammable gases, unless there is carried in such vehicle three red electric lanterns or three red reflectors meeting the requirements stated in division (A) of this section. There shall not be carried in any such vehicle any flare, fusee, or signal produced by a flame. (C) This section does not apply to any person who operates any motor vehicle in a work area designated by protection equipment devices that are displayed and used in accordance with the manual adopted by the department of transportation under section 4511.09 of the Revised Code. (D) Whoever violates this section shall be punished as provided in section 4513.99 of the Revised Code.
Section 4513.28 \| Warning devices displayed on disabled vehicles. Effective: October 16, 2009 Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 128th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Whenever any motor truck, trackless trolley, bus, commercial tractor, trailer, semi-trailer, or pole trailer is disabled upon the traveled portion of any highway or the shoulder thereof outside of any municipality, or upon any freeway, expressway, thruway and connecting, entering or exiting ramps within a municipality, at any time when lighted lamps are required on vehicles and trackless trolleys, the operator of such vehicle or trackless trolley shall display the following warning devices upon the highway during the time the vehicle or trackless trolley is so disabled on the highway except as provided in division (B) of this section: (1) A lighted fusee shall be immediately placed on the roadway at the traffic side of such vehicle or trackless trolley, unless red electric lanterns or red reflectors are displayed. (2) Within the burning period of the fusee and as promptly as possible, three lighted flares or pot torches, or three red reflectors or three red electric lanterns shall be placed on the roadway as follows: (a) One at a distance of forty paces or approximately one hundred feet in advance of the vehicle; (b) One at a distance of forty paces or approximately one hundred feet to the rear of the vehicle or trackless trolley except as provided in this section, each in the center of the lane of traffic occupied by the disabled vehicle or trackless trolley; (c) One at the traffic side of the vehicle or trackless trolley. (B) Whenever any vehicle used in transporting flammable liquids in bulk, or in transporting compressed flammable gases, is disabled upon a highway at any time or place mentioned in division (A) of this section, the driver of such vehicle shall display upon the roadway the following warning devices: (1) One red electric lantern or one red reflector shall be immediately placed on the roadway at the traffic side of the vehicle; (2) Two other red electric lanterns or two other red reflectors shall be placed to the front and rear of the vehicle in the same manner prescribed for flares in division (A) of this section. (C) When a vehicle of a type specified in division (B) of this section is disabled, the use of flares, fusees, or any signal produced by flame as warning signals is prohibited. (D) Whenever any vehicle or trackless trolley of a type referred to in this section is disabled upon the traveled portion of a highway or the shoulder thereof, outside of any municipality, or upon any freeway, expressway, thruway and connecting, entering or exiting ramps within a municipality, at any time when the display of fusees, flares, red reflectors, or electric lanterns is not required, the operator of such vehicle or trackless trolley shall display two red flags upon the roadway in the lane of traffic occupied by the disabled vehicle or trackless trolley, one at a distance of forty paces or approximately one hundred feet in advance of the vehicle or trackless trolley, and one at a distance of forty paces or approximately one hundred feet to the rear of the vehicle or trackless trolley, except as provided in this section. (E) The flares, fusees, lanterns, red reflectors, and flags to be displayed as required in this section shall conform with the requirements of section 4513.27 of the Revised Code applicable thereto. (F) In the event the vehicle or trackless trolley is disabled near a curve, crest of a hill, or other obstruction of view, the flare, flag, reflector, or lantern in that direction shall be placed as to afford ample warning to other users of the highway, but in no case shall it be placed less than forty paces or approximately one hundred feet nor more than one hundred twenty paces or approximately three hundred feet from the disabled vehicle or trackless trolley. (G) This section does not apply to the operator of any vehicle in a work area designated by protection equipment devices that are displayed and used in accordance with the manual adopted by the department of transportation under section 4511.09 of the Revised Code. (H) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
Section 4513.29 \| Vehicle transporting explosives upon highway. Effective: January 1, 2004 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 123 - 124th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Any person operating any vehicle transporting explosives upon a highway shall at all times comply with the following requirements: (1) Said vehicle shall be marked or placarded on each side and on the rear with the word "explosives" in letters not less than eight inches high, or there shall be displayed on the rear of such vehicle a red flag not less than twenty-four inches square marked with the word "danger" in white letters six inches high, or shall be marked or placarded in accordance with section 177.823 of the United States department of transportation regulations. (2) Said vehicle shall be equipped with not less than two fire extinguishers, filled and ready for immediate use, and placed at convenient points on such vehicle. (3) The director of transportation may promulgate such regulations governing the transportation of explosives and other dangerous articles by vehicles upon the highway as are reasonably necessary to enforce sections 4513.01 to 4513.37 of the Revised Code. (B) Whoever violates this section shall be punished as provided in section 4513.99 of the Revised Code.
Section 4513.30 \| Limitation of load extension on left side of vehicle. Effective: January 1, 2004 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 123 - 124th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) No passenger-type vehicle shall be operated on a highway with any load carried on such vehicle which extends more than six inches beyond the line of the fenders on the vehicle's left side. (B) Whoever violates this section shall be punished as provided in section 4513.99 of the Revised Code.
Section 4513.31 \| Securing loads on vehicles. Effective: January 1, 2004 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 123 - 124th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) No vehicle shall be driven or moved on any highway unless the vehicle is so constructed, loaded, or covered as to prevent any of its load from dropping, sifting, leaking, or otherwise escaping therefrom, except that sand or other substance may be dropped for the purpose of securing traction, or water or other substance may be sprinkled on a roadway in cleaning or maintaining the roadway. (B) Except for a farm vehicle used to transport agricultural produce or agricultural production materials or a rubbish vehicle in the process of acquiring its load, no vehicle loaded with garbage, swill, cans, bottles, waste paper, ashes, refuse, trash, rubbish, waste, wire, paper, cartons, boxes, glass, solid waste, or any other material of an unsanitary nature that is susceptible to blowing or bouncing from a moving vehicle shall be driven or moved on any highway unless the load is covered with a sufficient cover to prevent the load or any part of the load from spilling onto the highway. (C) Whoever violates this section shall be punished as provided in section 4513.99 of the Revised Code.
Section 4513.32 \| Vehicle towing requirements. Effective: January 1, 2004 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 123 - 124th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) When one vehicle is towing another vehicle, the drawbar or other connection shall be of sufficient strength to pull all the weight towed thereby, and the drawbar or other connection shall not exceed fifteen feet from one vehicle to the other, except the connection between any two vehicles transporting poles, pipe, machinery, or other objects of structural nature which cannot readily be dismembered. When one vehicle is towing another and the connection consists only of a chain, rope, or cable, there shall be displayed upon such connection a white flag or cloth not less than twelve inches square. In addition to such drawbar or other connection, each trailer and each semitrailer which is not connected to a commercial tractor by means of a fifth wheel shall be coupled with stay chains or cables to the vehicle by which it is being drawn. The chains or cables shall be of sufficient size and strength to prevent the towed vehicle's parting from the drawing vehicle in case the drawbar or other connection should break or become disengaged. In case of a loaded pole trailer, the connecting pole to the drawing vehicle shall be coupled to the drawing vehicle with stay chains or cables of sufficient size and strength to prevent the towed vehicle's parting from the drawing vehicle. Every trailer or semitrailer, except pole and cable trailers and pole and cable dollies operated by a public utility as defined in section 5727.01 of the Revised Code, shall be equipped with a coupling device, which shall be so designed and constructed that the trailer will follow substantially in the path of the vehicle drawing it, without whipping or swerving from side to side. Vehicles used to transport agricultural produce or agricultural production materials between a local place of storage and supply and the farm, when drawn or towed on a street or highway at a speed of twenty-five miles per hour or less, and vehicles designed and used exclusively to transport a boat between a place of storage and a marina, or in and around a marina, when drawn or towed on a street or highway for a distance of no more than ten miles and at a speed of twenty-five miles per hour or less, shall have a drawbar or other connection, including the hitch mounted on the towing vehicle, which shall be of sufficient strength to pull all the weight towed thereby. Only one such vehicle used to transport agricultural produce or agricultural production materials as provided in this section may be towed or drawn at one time, except as follows: (1) An agricultural tractor may tow or draw more than one such vehicle; (2) A pickup truck or straight truck designed by the manufacturer to carry a load of not less than one-half ton and not more than two tons may tow or draw not more than two such vehicles that are being used to transport agricultural produce from the farm to a local place of storage. No vehicle being so towed by such a pickup truck or straight truck shall be considered to be a motor vehicle. (B) Whoever violates this section shall be punished as provided in section 4513.99 of the Revised Code.
Section 4513.33 \| Unlawful vehicle weight. Effective: November 26, 1975 Latest Legislation: House Bill 624 - 111th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Any police officer having reason to believe that the weight of a vehicle and its load is unlawful may require the driver of said vehicle to stop and submit to a weighing of it by means of a compact, self-contained, portable, sealed scale specially adapted to determining the wheel loads of vehicles on highways; a sealed scale permanently installed in a fixed location, having a load-receiving element specially adapted to determining the wheel loads of highway vehicles; a sealed scale, permanently installed in a fixed location, having a load-receiving element specially adapted to determining the combined load of all wheels on a single axle or on successive axles of a highway vehicle, or a sealed scale adapted to weighing highway vehicles, loaded or unloaded. The driver of such vehicle shall, if necessary, be directed to proceed to the nearest available of such sealed scales to accomplish the weighing, provided such scales are within three miles of the point where such vehicle is stopped. Any vehicle stopped in accordance with this section may be held by the police officer for a reasonable time only to accomplish the weighing as prescribed by this section. All scales used in determining the lawful weight of a vehicle and its load shall be annually compared by a municipal, county, or state sealer with the state standards or standards approved by the state and such scales shall not be sealed if they do not conform to the state standards or standards approved by the state. At each end of a permanently installed scale, there shall be a straight approach in the same plane as the platform, of sufficient length and width to insure the level positioning of vehicles during weight determinations. During determination of weight by compact, self-contained, portable, sealed scales, specially adapted to determining the wheel loads of vehicles on highways, they shall always be used on terrain of sufficient length and width to accommodate the entire vehicle being weighed. Such terrain shall be level, or if not level, it shall be of such elevation that the difference in elevation between the wheels on any one axle does not exceed two inches and the difference in elevation between axles being weighed does not exceed one-fourth inch per foot of the distance between said axles. In all determination of all weights, except gross weight, by compact, self-contained, portable, sealed scales, specially adapted to determining the wheel loads of vehicles on highways, all successive axles, twelve feet or less apart, shall be weighed simultaneously by placing one such scale under the outside wheel of each such axle. In determinations of gross weight by the use of compact, self-contained, portable, sealed scales, specially adapted to determining the wheel loads of vehicles on highways, all axles shall be weighed simultaneously by placing one such scale under the outside wheel of each axle. Whenever such officer upon weighing a vehicle and load determines that the weight is unlawful, he may require the driver to stop the vehicle in a suitable place and remain standing until such portion of the load is removed as is necessary to reduce the weight of such vehicle to the limit permitted under sections 5577.01 to 5577.14 of the Revised Code. Whenever local authorities determine upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that the weight limits permitted under sections 5577.01 to 5577.14 of the Revised Code, or the weight limits permitted when compact, self-contained, portable, sealed scales, specially adapted to determining the wheel loads of vehicles on highways, are used on any part of a state route under their jurisdiction is greater than is reasonable under the conditions found to exist at such location, the local authorities may, by resolution, request the director of transportation to determine and declare reasonable weight limits. Upon receipt of such request the director may determine and declare reasonable weight limits at such location, and if the director alters the weight limits set by sections 5577.01 to 5577.14 and this section of the Revised Code, then such altered weight limits shall become effective only when appropriate signs giving notice thereof are erected at such location by local authorities. The director may withdraw his approval of any altered weight limit whenever, in his opinion, any altered weight limit becomes unreasonable, and upon such withdrawal the altered weight limit shall become ineffective, and the signs relating thereto shall be immediately removed by local authorities. Alteration of weight limits on state routes by local authorities is not effective until alteration has been approved by the director. This section does not derogate or limit the power and authority conferred upon the director or boards of county commissioners by section 5577.07 of the Revised Code.
Section 4513.34 \| Written permits for oversized vehicles. Effective: June 30, 2023 Latest Legislation: House Bill 23 - 135th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A)(1) The director of transportation with respect to all highways that are a part of the state highway system and local authorities with respect to highways under their jurisdiction, upon application in writing, shall issue a special regional heavy hauling permit authorizing the applicant to operate or move a vehicle or combination of vehicles as follows: (a) At a size or weight of vehicle or load exceeding the maximum specified in sections 5577.01 to 5577.09 of the Revised Code, or otherwise not in conformity with sections 4513.01 to 4513.37 of the Revised Code; (b) Upon any highway under the jurisdiction of the authority granting the permit except those highways with a condition insufficient to bear the weight of the vehicle or combination of vehicles as stated in the application. Issuance of a special regional heavy hauling permit is subject to the payment of a fee established by the director or local authority in accordance with this section. (2) In circumstances where a person is not eligible to receive a permit under division (A)(1) of this section, the director of transportation with respect to all highways that are a part of the state highway system and local authorities with respect to highways under their jurisdiction, upon application in writing and for good cause shown, may issue a special permit in writing authorizing the applicant to operate or move a vehicle or combination of vehicles of a size or weight of vehicle or load exceeding the maximum specified in sections 5577.01 to 5577.09 of the Revised Code, or otherwise not in conformity with sections 4513.01 to 4513.37 of the Revised Code, upon any highway under the jurisdiction of the authority granting the permit. (3) For purposes of this section, the director may designate certain state highways or portions of state highways as special economic development highways. If an application submitted to the director under this section involves travel of a nonconforming vehicle or combination of vehicles upon a special economic development highway, the director, in determining whether good cause has been shown that issuance of a permit is justified, shall consider the effect the travel of the vehicle or combination of vehicles will have on the economic development in the area in which the designated highway or portion of highway is located. (B)(1) Notwithstanding sections 715.22 and 723.01 of the Revised Code, the holder of a permit issued by the director under this section may move the vehicle or combination of vehicles described in the permit on any highway that is a part of the state highway system when the movement is partly within and partly without the corporate limits of a municipal corporation. No local authority shall require any other permit or license or charge any license fee or other charge against the holder of a permit for the movement of a vehicle or combination of vehicles on any highway that is a part of the state highway system. The director shall not require the holder of a permit issued by a local authority to obtain a special permit for the movement of vehicles or combination of vehicles on highways within the jurisdiction of the local authority. (2) Except as provided in division (B)(3) of this section, permits may be issued for any period of time not to exceed one year, as the director in the director's discretion or a local authority in its discretion determines advisable, or for the duration of any public construction project. (3) The director and every county shall issue an annual permit under division (A)(2) of this section for: (a) A vehicle or combination of vehicles that haul farm machinery, provided that the farm machinery otherwise qualifies for the farm equipment permit or a similar permit offered by the county for farm machinery or equipment; (b) A vehicle or combination of vehicles that haul agricultural produce or agricultural production materials that otherwise could be hauled by farm machinery or equipment under the farm equipment permit or a similar permit offered by the county for farm machinery or equipment. (4) In addition to the annual permit issued under (B)(3) of this section, the director and every county may continue to issue a permit under division (A)(2) of this section for the vehicles specified in division (B)(3) of this section, for any period of time up to one year. (C)(1) The application for a permit issued under this section shall be in the form that the director or local authority prescribes. The director or local authority may prescribe a permit fee to be imposed and collected when any permit described in this section is issued. The permit fee may be in an amount sufficient to reimburse the director or local authority for the administrative costs incurred in issuing the permit, and also to cover the cost of the normal and expected damage caused to the roadway or a street or highway structure as the result of the operation of the nonconforming vehicle or combination of vehicles. The director, in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, shall establish a schedule of fees for permits issued by the director under this section; however, the fee to operate a triple trailer unit, at locations authorized under federal law, shall be one hundred dollars. (2) For the purposes of this section and of rules adopted by the director under this section, milk transported in bulk by vehicle is deemed a nondivisible load. (3) For purposes of this section and of rules adopted by the director under this section, three or fewer aluminum coils, transported by a vehicle, are deemed a nondivisible load. The director shall adopt rules establishing requirements for an aluminum coil permit that are substantially similar to the requirements for a steel coil permit under Chapter 5501:2-1 of the Administrative Code. (D) The director or a local authority shall issue a special regional heavy hauling permit under division (A)(1) of this section upon application and payment of the applicable fee. Except when required to issue a special permit under division (B)(3) of this section, the director or local authority may issue or withhold a special permit specified in division (A)(2) of this section. If a permit is to be issued, the director or local authority may limit or prescribe conditions of operation for the vehicle and may require the posting of a bond or other security conditioned upon the sufficiency of the permit fee to compensate for damage caused to the roadway or a street or highway structure. In addition, a local authority, as a condition of issuance of an overweight permit, may require the applicant to develop and enter into a mutual agreement with the local authority to compensate for or to repair excess damage caused to the roadway by travel under the permit. For a permit that will allow travel of a nonconforming vehicle or combination of vehicles on a special economic development highway, the director, as a condition of issuance, may require the applicant to agree to make periodic payments to the department to compensate for damage caused to the roadway by travel under the permit. (E) Every permit issued under this section shall be carried in the vehicle or combination of vehicles to which it refers and shall be open to inspection by any police officer or authorized agent of any authority granting the permit. No person shall violate any of the terms of a permit. (F) The director may debar an applicant from applying for a permit under this section upon a finding based on a reasonable belief that the applicant has done any of the following: (1) Abused the process by repeatedly submitting false information or false travel plans or by using another company or individual's name, insurance, or escrow account without proper authorization; (2) Failed to comply with or substantially perform under a previously issued permit according to its terms, conditions, and specifications within specified time limits; (3) Failed to cooperate in the application process for the permit or in any other procedures that are related to the issuance of the permit by refusing to provide information or documents required in a permit or by failing to respond to and correct matters related to the permit; (4) Accumulated repeated justified complaints regarding performance under a permit that was previously issued to the applicant or previously failed to obtain a permit when such a permit was required; (5) Attempted to influence a public employee to breach ethical conduct standards; (6) Been convicted of a disqualifying offense as determined under section 9.79 of the Revised Code; (7) Accumulated repeated convictions under a state or federal safety law governing commercial motor vehicles or a rule or regulation adopted under such a law; (8) Accumulated repeated convictions under a law, rule, or regulation governing the movement of traffic over the public streets and highways; (9) Failed to pay any fees associated with any permitted operation or move; (10) Deliberately or willfully submitted false or misleading information in connection with the application for, or performance under, a permit issued under this section. If the applicant is a partnership, association, or corporation, the director also may debar from consideration for permits any partner of the partnership, or the officers, directors, or employees of the association or corporation being debarred. The director may adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code governing the debarment of an applicant. (G) When the director reasonably believes that grounds for debarment exist, the director shall send the person that is subject to debarment a notice of the proposed debarment. A notice of proposed debarment shall indicate the grounds for the debarment of the person and the procedure for requesting a hearing. The notice and hearing shall be in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code. If the person does not respond with a request for a hearing in the manner specified in that chapter, the director shall issue the debarment decision without a hearing and shall notify the person of the decision by certified mail, return receipt requested. The debarment period may be of any length determined by the director, and the director may modify or rescind the debarment at any time. During the period of debarment, the director shall not issue, or consider issuing, a permit under this section to any partnership, association, or corporation that is affiliated with a debarred person. After the debarment period expires, the person, and any partnership, association, or corporation affiliated with the person, may reapply for a permit. (H)(1) No person shall violate the terms of a permit issued under this section that relate to gross load limits. (2) No person shall violate the terms of a permit issued under this section that relate to axle load by more than two thousand pounds per axle or group of axles. (3) No person shall violate the terms of a permit issued under this section that relate to an approved route except upon order of a law enforcement officer or authorized agent of the issuing authority. (I) Whoever violates division (H) of this section shall be punished as provided in section 4513.99 of the Revised Code. (J) A permit issued by the department of transportation or a local authority under this section for the operation of a vehicle or combination of vehicles is valid for the purposes of the vehicle operation in accordance with the conditions and limitations specified on the permit. Such a permit is voidable by law enforcement only for operation of a vehicle or combination of vehicles in violation of the weight, dimension, or route provisions of the permit. However, a permit is not voidable for operation in violation of a route provision of a permit if the operation is upon the order of a law enforcement officer. Last updated April 27, 2023 at 3:21 PM
Section 4513.35 \| Disposition of traffic fines. Effective: September 23, 2022 Latest Legislation: House Bill 206 - 134th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) All fines collected under sections 4511.01 to 4511.78, 4511.99, and 4513.01 to 4513.37 of the Revised Code shall be paid into the county treasury and, with the exception of that portion distributed under section 307.515 of the Revised Code, shall be placed to the credit of the fund for the maintenance and repair of the highways within that county, except that: (1) All fines for violations of division (B) of section 4513.263 shall be delivered to the treasurer of state as provided in division (E) of section 4513.263 of the Revised Code. (2) All fines collected from, or moneys arising from bonds forfeited by, persons apprehended or arrested by state highway patrol troopers shall be distributed as provided in section 5503.04 of the Revised Code. (3)(a) Subject to division (E) of section 4513.263 of the Revised Code and except as otherwise provided in division (A)(3)(b) of this section, one-half of all fines collected from, and one-half of all moneys arising from bonds forfeited by, persons apprehended or arrested by a township constable or other township police officer shall be paid to the township treasury to be placed to the credit of the general fund. (b) All fines collected from, and all moneys arising from bonds forfeited by, persons apprehended or arrested by a township constable or other township police officer pursuant to division (B)(2) or (C) of section 4513.39 of the Revised Code for a violation of section 4511.21 of the Revised Code or any other law, ordinance, or regulation pertaining to speed that occurred on a highway that is part of the interstate system or otherwise part of the national highway system, shall be paid into the county treasury and be credited as provided in the first paragraph of this section. (B) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section or of any other section of the Revised Code: (1) All fines collected from, and all moneys arising from bonds forfeited by, persons arrested under division (E)(1) or (2) of section 2935.03 of the Revised Code are deemed to be collected, and to arise, from arrests made within the jurisdiction in which the arresting officer is appointed, elected, or employed, for violations of one of the sections or chapters of the Revised Code listed in division (E)(1) of that section and shall be distributed accordingly. (2) All fines collected from, and all moneys arising from bonds forfeited by, persons arrested under division (E)(3) of section 2935.03 of the Revised Code are deemed to be collected, and to arise, from arrests made within the jurisdiction in which the arresting officer is appointed, elected, or employed, for violations of municipal ordinances that are substantially equivalent to one of the sections or one of the provisions of one of the chapters of the Revised Code listed in division (E)(1) of that section and for violations of one of the sections or one of the provisions of one of the chapters of the Revised Code listed in division (E)(1) of that section, and shall be distributed accordingly. Last updated July 14, 2022 at 12:33 PM
Section 4513.36 \| Prohibition against resisting or interfering with official. Effective: January 1, 2004 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 123 - 124th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) No person shall resist, hinder, obstruct, or abuse any sheriff, constable, or other official while that official is attempting to arrest offenders under any provision of sections 4511.01 to 4511.78, 4511.99, and 4513.01 to 4513.37 of the Revised Code. No person shall interfere with any person charged under any provision of any of those sections with the enforcement of the law relative to public highways. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
Section 4513.361 \| Furnishing false information to officer issuing traffic ticket. Effective: January 1, 2004 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 123 - 124th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) No person shall knowingly present, display, or orally communicate a false name, social security number, or date of birth to a law enforcement officer who is in the process of issuing to the person a traffic ticket or complaint. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.
Section 4513.37 \| Record of traffic violations. Effective: January 27, 2012 Latest Legislation: House Bill 337 - 129th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Every county court judge, mayor, and clerk of a court of record shall keep a full record of every case in which a person is charged with any violation of sections 4511.01 to 4511.78, section 4511.99, and sections 4513.01 to 4513.37 of the Revised Code, or of any other law or ordinance regulating the operation of vehicles, streetcars, and trackless trolleys on highways. Within seven days after the conviction or forfeiture of bail of a person upon a charge of violating any of such sections or other law or ordinance regulating the operation of vehicles, streetcars, and trackless trolleys on highways, said judge, mayor, or clerk shall prepare and immediately forward to the department of public safety an abstract of the court record covering the case in which said person was convicted or forfeited bail, which abstract must be certified by the person required to prepare the same to be true and correct. The abstract shall be made upon a form approved and furnished by the department and shall include the name and address of the party charged, the number of the party's driver's or commercial driver's license, the registration number of the vehicle involved, the nature of the offense, the date of hearing, the plea, the judgment, or whether bail forfeited, and the amount of the fine or forfeiture. Every court of record shall also forward a like report to the department upon the conviction of any person of manslaughter or other felony in the commission of which a vehicle was used. The failure, refusal, or neglect of such officer to comply with this section constitutes misconduct in office and is ground for removal therefrom. The department shall keep all abstracts received under this section at its main office.
Section 4513.38 \| Collector's or historical motor vehicle exempted from equipment requirements. Effective: September 15, 1975 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 52 - 111th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF No person shall be prohibited from owning or operating a licensed collector's vehicle or historical motor vehicle that is equipped with a feature of design, type of material, or article of equipment that was not in violation of any motor vehicle equipment law of this state or of its political subdivisions in effect during the calendar year the vehicle was manufactured, and no licensed collector's vehicle or historical motor vehicle shall be prohibited from displaying or using any such feature of design, type of material, or article of equipment. No person shall be prohibited from owning or operating a licensed collector's vehicle or historical motor vehicle for failing to comply with an equipment provision contained in Chapter 4513. of the Revised Code or in any state rule that was enacted or adopted in a year subsequent to that in which the vehicle was manufactured, and no licensed collector's vehicle or historical motor vehicle shall be required to comply with an equipment provision enacted into Chapter 4513. of the Revised Code or adopted by state rule subsequent to the calendar year in which it was manufactured. No political subdivision shall require an owner of a licensed collector's vehicle or historical motor vehicle to comply with equipment provisions contained in laws or rules that were enacted or adopted subsequent to the calendar year in which the vehicle was manufactured, and no political subdivision shall prohibit the operation of a licensed collector's vehicle or historical motor vehicle for failure to comply with any such equipment laws or rules.
Section 4513.39 \| Making arrests on highways. Effective: September 23, 2022 Latest Legislation: House Bill 206 - 134th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) The state highway patrol and sheriffs or their deputies shall exercise, to the exclusion of all other peace officers, except within municipal corporations and except as specified in divisions (B) and (C) of this section and division (E) of section 2935.03 of the Revised Code, the power to make arrests for violations on all state highways, of sections 4503.11, 4503.21, 4511.14 to 4511.16, 4511.20 to 4511.23, 4511.26 to 4511.40, 4511.42 to 4511.48, 4511.58, 4511.59, 4511.62 to 4511.71, 4513.03 to 4513.13, 4513.15 to 4513.22, 4513.24 to 4513.34, 4549.01, 4549.08 to 4549.12, and 4549.62 of the Revised Code. (B) A member of the police force of a township police district created under section 505.48 of the Revised Code or of a joint police district created under section 505.482 of the Revised Code, and a township constable appointed pursuant to section 509.01 of the Revised Code, who has received a certificate from the Ohio peace officer training commission under section 109.75 of the Revised Code, shall exercise the power to make arrests for violations of those sections listed in division (A) of this section, other than sections 4513.33 and 4513.34 of the Revised Code, as follows: (1) Except as specified in division (C) of this section, if the population of the township that created the township or joint police district served by the member's police force or the township that is served by the township constable is fifty thousand or less according to the most recent federal decennial census, the member or constable shall exercise that power on those portions of all state highways, including those highways that are part of the national highway system but that are not part of the interstate system, that are located within the township or joint police district, in the case of a member of a township or joint police district police force, or within the unincorporated territory of the township, in the case of a township constable. (2) If the population of the township that created the township or joint police district served by the member's police force or the township that is served by the township constable is greater than fifty thousand according to the most recent federal decennial census, the member or constable shall exercise that power on those portions of all state highways, including any highway that is a part of the interstate highway system or otherwise a part of the national highway system, that are located within the township or joint police district, in the case of a member of a township or joint police district police force, or within the unincorporated territory of the township, in the case of a township constable. (C) If the population of the township that created the township or joint police district served by the member's police force or the township that is served by the township constable is between five thousand and fifty thousand according to the most recent federal decennial census, the township board of trustees may adopt, and may subsequently rescind, a resolution authorizing a member or constable to make arrests for violations of those sections listed in division (A) of this section, other than sections 4513.33 and 4513.34 of the Revised Code, on any highway that meets all of the following conditions: (1) The highway is a part of the interstate highway system. (2) The highway is located within the township or joint police district, in the case of a member of a township or joint police district police force, or within the unincorporated territory of the township, in the case of a township constable. (3)(a) There is a permanent access point on and off the highway open to the general public for the member or constable to use that is located within the township or joint police district, in the case of a member of a township or joint police district police force, or within the unincorporated territory of the township, in the case of a township constable. (b) An access point specified by division (C)(3)(a) of this section that is available as of the effective date of this section remains an available access point for a member or constable even if the territory in which the access point is located is subsequently annexed by a municipal corporation. Last updated July 14, 2022 at 12:55 PM
Section 4513.40 \| Warning sign before safety device at street crossing. Effective: October 1, 1953 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 361 - 100th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF When a safety device has been installed in the traveled portion of a street at a railroad grade crossing for the protection of the traveling public, the municipal corporation shall place a warning sign not less than two hundred feet from the crossing. The driver of any vehicle shall place his vehicle under control at the location of said warning signs so as to be able to bring said vehicle to a complete stop at said safety device. Colliding with such safety device at the crossing is prima-facie evidence that the driver is a reckless driver.
Section 4513.41 \| Collector's or historical agricultural tractor exempted from tests. Effective: September 15, 1975 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 52 - 111th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) No owner of a licensed collector's vehicle, a historical motor vehicle, or a collector's vehicle that is an agricultural tractor or traction engine shall be required to comply with an emission, noise control, or fuel usage provision contained in a law or rule of this state or its political subdivisions that was enacted or adopted subsequent to the calendar year in which the vehicle was manufactured. (B) No person shall be prohibited from operating a licensed collector's vehicle, a historical motor vehicle, or a collector's vehicle that is an agricultural tractor or traction engine for failing to comply with an emission, noise control, or fuel usage law or rule of this state or its political subdivisions that was enacted or adopted subsequent to the calendar year in which his vehicle was manufactured. (C) Except as provided in section 4505.061 of the Revised Code, no person shall be required to submit his collector's vehicle to a physical inspection prior to or in connection with an issuance of title to, or the sale or transfer of ownership of such vehicle, except that a police officer may inspect it to determine ownership. In accordance with section 1.51 of the Revised Code, this section shall, without exception, prevail over any special or local provision of the Revised Code that requires owners or operators of collector's vehicles to comply with standards of emission, noise, fuel usage, or physical condition in connection with an issuance of title to, or the sale or transfer of ownership of such vehicle or part thereof.
Section 4513.50 \| Bus safety definitions. Effective: June 11, 2012 Latest Legislation: House Bill 487 - 129th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF As used in sections 4513.50 to 4513.53 of the Revised Code: (A)(1) "Bus" means any vehicle used for the transportation of passengers that meets at least one of the following: (a) Was originally designed by the manufacturer to transport more than fifteen passengers, including the driver; (b) Either the gross vehicle weight rating or the gross vehicle weight exceeds ten thousand pounds. (2) "Bus" does not include a church bus as defined in section 4503.07 of the Revised Code or a school bus unless the church bus or school bus is used in the transportation of passengers by a motor carrier. (3) "Bus" also does not include any of the following: (a) Any vehicle operated exclusively on a rail or rails; (b) A trolley bus operated by electric power derived from a fixed overhead wire furnishing local passenger transportation similar to street-railway service; (c) Vehicles owned or leased by government agencies or political subdivisions. (B) "Motor carrier" has the same meaning as in section 4923.01 of the Revised Code.
Section 4513.51 \| Bus safety inspection decal. Effective: January 1, 2004 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 123 - 124th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, on and after July 1, 2001, no person shall operate a bus, nor shall any person being the owner of a bus or having supervisory responsibility for a bus permit the operation of any bus, unless the bus displays a valid, current safety inspection decal issued by the state highway patrol under section 4513.52 of the Revised Code. (B) For the purpose of complying with the requirements of this section and section 4513.52 of the Revised Code, the owner or other operator of a bus may drive the bus directly to an inspection site conducted by the state highway patrol and directly back to the person's place of business without a valid registration and without displaying a safety inspection decal, provided that no passengers may occupy the bus during such operation. (C) The registrar of motor vehicles shall not accept an application for registration of a bus unless the bus owner presents a valid safety inspection report for the applicable registration year. (D) Whoever violates division (A) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.
Section 4513.52 \| Bus safety inspections. Effective: June 30, 2003 Latest Legislation: House Bill 87 - 125th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) The department of public safety, with the advice of the public utilities commission, shall adopt and enforce rules relating to the inspection of buses to determine whether a bus is safe and lawful, including whether its equipment is in proper adjustment or repair. (B) The rules shall determine the safety features, items of equipment, and other safety-related conditions subject to inspection. The rules may authorize the state highway patrol to operate safety inspection sites, or to enter in or upon the property of any bus operator to conduct the safety inspections, or both. The rules also shall establish a fee, not to exceed two hundred dollars, for each bus inspected. (C) The state highway patrol shall conduct the bus safety inspections at least on an annual basis. An inspection conducted under this section is valid for twelve months unless, prior to that time, the bus fails a subsequent inspection or ownership of the bus is transferred. (D) The state highway patrol shall collect a fee for each bus inspected. (E) Upon determining that a bus is in safe operating condition, that its equipment is in proper adjustment and repair, and that it is otherwise lawful, the inspecting officer shall do both of the following: (1) Affix an official safety inspection decal to the outside surface of each side of the bus; (2) Issue the owner or operator of the bus a safety inspection report, to be presented to the registrar or a deputy registrar upon application for registration of the bus.
Section 4513.53 \| Bus safety inspection staff. Effective: July 1, 2017 Latest Legislation: House Bill 26 - 132nd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) The superintendent of the state highway patrol, with approval of the director of public safety, may appoint and maintain necessary staff to carry out the inspection of buses. (B) The superintendent of the state highway patrol shall adopt a distinctive annual safety inspection decal bearing the date of inspection. The state highway patrol may remove any decal from a bus that fails any inspection. (C) Bus inspection fees collected by the state highway patrol under section 4513.52 of the Revised Code shall be paid into the state treasury to the credit of the public safety - highway purposes fund created in section 4501.06 of the Revised Code.
Section 4513.60 \| Vehicle left on private residential or private agricultural property without the permission of person having right to possession of property. Effective: April 7, 2023 Latest Legislation: House Bill 507 - 134th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A)(1) The sheriff of a county or chief of a law enforcement agency of a municipal corporation, township, port authority, conservancy district, or township or joint police district, within the sheriff's or chief's respective territorial jurisdiction, upon complaint of any person adversely affected, may order into storage any motor vehicle, other than an abandoned junk motor vehicle as defined in section 4513.63 of the Revised Code, that has been left on private residential or private agricultural property for at least four hours without the permission of the person having the right to the possession of the property. The sheriff or chief, upon complaint of a repair garage or place of storage, may order into storage any motor vehicle, other than an abandoned junk motor vehicle, that has been left at the garage or place of storage for a longer period than that agreed upon. When ordering a motor vehicle into storage pursuant to this division, a sheriff or chief may arrange for the removal of the motor vehicle by a towing service and shall designate a storage facility. (2) A towing service towing a motor vehicle under division (A)(1) of this section shall remove the motor vehicle in accordance with that division. The towing service shall deliver the motor vehicle to the location designated by the sheriff or chief not more than two hours after the time it is removed from the private property, unless the towing service is unable to deliver the motor vehicle within two hours due to an uncontrollable force, natural disaster, or other event that is not within the power of the towing service. (3) Subject to division (B) of this section, the owner of a motor vehicle that has been removed pursuant to this division may recover the vehicle only in accordance with division (D) of this section. (4) As used in this section, "private residential property" means private property on which is located one or more structures that are used as a home, residence, or sleeping place by one or more persons, if no more than three separate households are maintained in the structure or structures. "Private residential property" does not include any private property on which is located one or more structures that are used as a home, residence, or sleeping place by two or more persons, if more than three separate households are maintained in the structure or structures. (B) If the owner or operator of a motor vehicle that has been ordered into storage pursuant to division (A)(1) of this section arrives after the motor vehicle has been prepared for removal, but prior to its actual removal from the property, the towing service shall give the owner or operator oral or written notification at the time of such arrival that the vehicle owner or operator may pay a fee of not more than one-half of the fee for the removal of the motor vehicle established by the public utilities commission in rules adopted under section 4921.25 of the Revised Code, in order to obtain release of the motor vehicle. However, if the vehicle is within a municipal corporation and the municipal corporation has established a vehicle removal fee, the towing service shall give the owner or operator oral or written notification that the owner or operator may pay not more than one-half of that fee to obtain release of the motor vehicle. That fee may be paid by use of a major credit card unless the towing service uses a mobile credit card processor and mobile service is not available at the time of the transaction. Upon payment of the applicable fee, the towing service shall give the vehicle owner or operator a receipt showing both the full amount normally assessed and the actual amount received and shall release the motor vehicle to the owner or operator. Upon its release, the owner or operator immediately shall move it so that it is not on the private residential or private agricultural property without the permission of the person having the right to possession of the property, or is not at the garage or place of storage without the permission of the owner, whichever is applicable. (C)(1) Each county sheriff and each chief of a law enforcement agency of a municipal corporation, township, port authority, conservancy district, or township or joint police district shall maintain a record of motor vehicles that the sheriff or chief orders into storage pursuant to division (A)(1) of this section. The record shall include an entry for each such motor vehicle that identifies the motor vehicle's license number, make, model, and color, the location from which it was removed, the date and time of its removal, the telephone number of the person from whom it may be recovered, and the address of the place to which it has been taken and from which it may be recovered. A sheriff or chief shall provide any information in the record that pertains to a particular motor vehicle to any person who, either in person or pursuant to a telephone call, identifies self as the owner or operator of the motor vehicle and requests information pertaining to its location. (2) Any person who registers a complaint that is the basis of a sheriff's or chief's order for the removal and storage of a motor vehicle under division (A)(1) of this section shall provide the identity of the law enforcement agency with which the complaint was registered to any person who identifies self as the owner or operator of the motor vehicle and requests information pertaining to its location. (D)(1) The owner or lienholder of a motor vehicle that is ordered into storage pursuant to division (A)(1) of this section may reclaim it upon both of the following: (a) Payment of all applicable fees established by the public utilities commission in rules adopted under section 4921.25 of the Revised Code or, if the vehicle was towed within a municipal corporation that has established fees for vehicle removal and storage, payment of all applicable fees established by the municipal corporation. (b) Presentation of proof of ownership, which may be evidenced by a certificate of title to the motor vehicle, a certificate of registration for the motor vehicle, or a lease agreement. When the owner of a vehicle towed under this section retrieves the vehicle, the towing service or storage facility in possession of the vehicle shall give the owner written notice that if the owner disputes that the motor vehicle was lawfully towed, the owner may be able to file a civil action under section 4513.611 of the Revised Code. (2) Upon presentation of proof of ownership as required under division (D)(1)(b) of this section, the owner of a motor vehicle that is ordered into storage under division (A)(1) of this section may retrieve any personal items from the motor vehicle without retrieving the vehicle and without paying any fee. However, a towing service or storage facility may charge an after-hours retrieval fee established by the public utilities commission in rules adopted under section 4921.25 of the Revised Code if the owner retrieves the personal items after hours, unless the towing service or storage facility fails to provide the notice required under division (B)(3) of section 4513.69 of the Revised Code, if applicable. The owner of a motor vehicle shall not do either of the following: (a) Retrieve any personal item that has been determined by the sheriff or chief, as applicable, to be necessary to a criminal investigation; (b) Retrieve any personal item from a vehicle if it would endanger the safety of the owner, unless the owner agrees to sign a waiver of liability. For purposes of division (D)(2) of this section, "personal items" do not include any items that are attached to the motor vehicle. (3) If a motor vehicle that is ordered into storage pursuant to division (A)(1) of this section remains unclaimed by the owner for thirty days, the procedures established by sections 4513.61 and 4513.62 of the Revised Code apply. (E)(1) No person shall remove, or cause the removal of, any motor vehicle from any private residential or private agricultural property other than in accordance with division (A)(1) of this section or sections 4513.61 to 4513.65 of the Revised Code. (2) No towing service or storage facility shall fail to comply with the requirements of this section. (F) This section does not apply to any private residential or private agricultural property that is established as a private tow-away zone in accordance with section 4513.601 of the Revised Code. (G) Whoever violates division (E) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. Last updated March 21, 2023 at 10:47 AM
Section 4513.601 \| Private tow-away zones. Effective: April 7, 2023 Latest Legislation: House Bill 507 - 134th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) The owner of a private property may establish a private tow-away zone, but may do so only if all of the following conditions are satisfied: (1) The owner of the private property posts on the property a sign, that is at least eighteen inches by twenty-four inches in size, that is visible from all entrances to the property, and that includes all of the following information: (a) A statement that the property is a tow-away zone; (b) A description of persons authorized to park on the property. If the property is a residential property, the owner of the private property may include on the sign a statement that only tenants and guests may park in the private tow-away zone, subject to the terms of the property owner. If the property is a commercial property, the owner of the private property may include on the sign a statement that only customers may park in the private tow-away zone. In all cases, if it is not apparent which persons may park in the private tow-away zone, the owner of the private property shall include on the sign the address of the property on which the private tow-away zone is located or the name of the business that is located on the property designated as a private tow-away zone. (c) If the private tow-away zone is not enforceable at all times, the times during which the parking restrictions are enforced; (d) The telephone number and the address of the place from which a towed vehicle may be recovered at any time during the day or night; (e) A statement that the failure to recover a towed vehicle may result in the loss of title to the vehicle as provided in division (B) of section 4505.101 of the Revised Code. In order to comply with the requirements of division (A)(1) of this section, the owner of a private property may modify an existing sign by affixing to the existing sign stickers or an addendum in lieu of replacing the sign. (2) A towing service ensures that a vehicle towed under this section is taken to a location from which it may be recovered that complies with all of the following: (a) It is located within twenty-five linear miles of the location of the private tow-away zone, unless it is not practicable to take the vehicle to a place of storage within twenty-five linear miles. (b) It is well-lighted. (c) It is on or within a reasonable distance of a regularly scheduled route of one or more modes of public transportation, if any public transportation is available in the municipal corporation or township in which the private tow-away zone is located. (B)(1) If a vehicle is parked on private property that is established as a private tow-away zone in accordance with division (A) of this section, without the consent of the owner of the private property or in violation of any posted parking condition or regulation, the owner of the private property may cause the removal of the vehicle by a towing service. The towing service shall remove the vehicle in accordance with this section. The vehicle owner and the operator of the vehicle are considered to have consented to the removal and storage of the vehicle, to the payment of the applicable fees established by the public utilities commission in rules adopted under section 4921.25 of the Revised Code, and to the right of a towing service to obtain title to the vehicle if it remains unclaimed as provided in section 4505.101 of the Revised Code. The owner or lienholder of a vehicle that has been removed under this section, subject to division (C) of this section, may recover the vehicle in accordance with division (G) of this section. (2) If a municipal corporation requires tow trucks and tow truck operators to be licensed, no owner of a private property located within the municipal corporation shall cause the removal and storage of any vehicle pursuant to division (B) of this section by an unlicensed tow truck or unlicensed tow truck operator. (3) No towing service shall remove a vehicle from a private tow-away zone except pursuant to a written contract for the removal of vehicles entered into with the owner of the private property on which the private tow-away zone is located. (C) If the owner or operator of a vehicle that is being removed under authority of division (B) of this section arrives after the vehicle has been prepared for removal, but prior to its actual removal from the property, the towing service shall give the vehicle owner or operator oral or written notification at the time of such arrival that the vehicle owner or operator may pay a fee of not more than one-half of the fee for the removal of the vehicle established by the public utilities commission in rules adopted under section 4921.25 of the Revised Code in order to obtain release of the vehicle. That fee may be paid by use of a major credit card unless the towing service uses a mobile credit card processor and mobile service is not available at the time of the transaction. Upon payment of that fee, the towing service shall give the vehicle owner or operator a receipt showing both the full amount normally assessed and the actual amount received and shall release the vehicle to the owner or operator. Upon its release, the owner or operator immediately shall move the vehicle so that the vehicle is not parked on the private property established as a private tow-away zone without the consent of the owner of the private property or in violation of any posted parking condition or regulation. (D)(1) Prior to towing a vehicle under division (B) of this section, a towing service shall make all reasonable efforts to take as many photographs as necessary to evidence that the vehicle is clearly parked on private property in violation of a private tow-away zone established under division (A) of this section. The towing service shall record the time and date of the photographs taken under this section. The towing service shall retain the photographs and the record of the time and date, in electronic or printed form, for at least thirty days after the date on which the vehicle is recovered by the owner or lienholder or at least two years after the date on which the vehicle was towed, whichever is earlier. (2) A towing service shall deliver a vehicle towed under division (B) of this section to the location from which it may be recovered not more than two hours after the time it was removed from the private tow-away zone, unless the towing service is unable to deliver the motor vehicle within two hours due to an uncontrollable force, natural disaster, or other event that is not within the power of the towing service. (E)(1) If an owner of a private property that is established as a private tow-away zone in accordance with division (A) of this section causes the removal of a vehicle from that property by a towing service under division (B) of this section, the towing service, within two hours of removing the vehicle, shall provide notice to the sheriff of the county or the law enforcement agency of the municipal corporation, township, port authority, conservancy district, or township or joint police district in which the property is located concerning all of the following: (a) The vehicle's license number, make, model, and color; (b) The location from which the vehicle was removed; (c) The date and time the vehicle was removed; (d) The telephone number of the person from whom the vehicle may be recovered; (e) The address of the place from which the vehicle may be recovered. (2) Each county sheriff and each chief of a law enforcement agency of a municipal corporation, township, port authority, conservancy district, or township or joint police district shall maintain a record of any vehicle removed from private property in the sheriff's or chief's jurisdiction that is established as a private tow-away zone of which the sheriff or chief has received notice under this section. The record shall include all information submitted by the towing service. The sheriff or chief shall provide any information in the record that pertains to a particular vehicle to a person who, either in person or pursuant to a telephone call, identifies self as the owner, operator, or lienholder of the vehicle and requests information pertaining to the vehicle. (F)(1) When a vehicle is removed from private property in accordance with this section, within three business days of the removal, the towing service or storage facility from which the vehicle may be recovered shall cause a search to be made of either of the following to ascertain the identity of the owner and any lienholder of the vehicle: (a) The records of the bureau of motor vehicles; (b) The records of any vendor or vendors, approved by the registrar of motor vehicles, that are capable of providing real-time access to owner and lienholder information. The towing service or storage facility may search the national motor vehicle title information system in order to determine the state in which the vehicle is titled. The entity that provides the record of the owner and any lienholder under this division shall ensure that such information is provided in a timely manner. (2) Subject to division (F)(5) of this section, the towing service or storage facility shall send notice to the vehicle owner and any known lienholder as follows: (a) Within five business days after the applicable entity provides the identity of the owner and any lienholder of the motor vehicle, if the vehicle remains unclaimed, to the owner's and lienholder's last known address by certified or express mail with return receipt requested, by certified mail with electronic tracking, or by a commercial carrier service utilizing any form of delivery requiring a signed receipt; (b) If the vehicle remains unclaimed thirty days after the first notice is sent, in the manner required under division (F)(2)(a) of this section. (3) Sixty days after any notice sent pursuant to division (F)(2) of this section is received, as evidenced by a receipt signed by any person, or the towing service or storage facility has been notified that delivery was not possible, the towing service or storage facility, if authorized under division (B) of section 4505.101 of the Revised Code, may initiate the process for obtaining a certificate of title to the motor vehicle as provided in that section. (4) A towing service or storage facility that does not receive a signed receipt of notice, or a notification that delivery was not possible, shall not obtain, and shall not attempt to obtain, a certificate of title to the motor vehicle under division (B) of section 4505.101 of the Revised Code. (5) With respect to a vehicle concerning which a towing service or storage facility is not eligible to obtain title under section 4505.101 of the Revised Code, the towing service or storage facility need only comply with the initial notice required under division (F)(2)(a) of this section. (G)(1) The owner or lienholder of a vehicle that is removed under division (B) of this section may reclaim it upon both of the following: (a) Presentation of proof of ownership, which may be evidenced by a certificate of title to the vehicle, a certificate of registration for the motor vehicle, or a lease agreement; (b) Payment of the following fees: (i) All applicable fees established by the public utilities commission in rules adopted under section 4921.25 of the Revised Code, except that the lienholder of a vehicle may retrieve the vehicle without paying any storage fee for the period of time that the vehicle was in the possession of the towing service or storage facility prior to the date the lienholder received the notice sent under division (F)(2)(a) of this section; (ii) If notice has been sent to the owner and lienholder as described in division (F) of this section, a processing fee of twenty-five dollars. (2) A towing service or storage facility in possession of a vehicle that is removed under authority of division (B) of this section shall show the vehicle owner, operator, or lienholder who contests the removal of the vehicle all photographs taken under division (D) of this section. Upon request, the towing service or storage facility shall provide a copy of all photographs in the medium in which the photographs are stored, whether paper, electronic, or otherwise. (3) When the owner of a vehicle towed under this section retrieves the vehicle, the towing service or storage facility in possession of the vehicle shall give the owner written notice that if the owner disputes that the motor vehicle was lawfully towed, the owner may be able to file a civil action under section 4513.611 of the Revised Code. (4) Upon presentation of proof of ownership, which may be evidenced by a certificate of title to the vehicle, a certificate of registration for the motor vehicle, or a lease agreement, the owner of a vehicle that is removed under authority of division (B) of this section may retrieve any personal items from the vehicle without retrieving the vehicle and without paying any fee. The owner of the vehicle shall not retrieve any personal items from a vehicle if it would endanger the safety of the owner, unless the owner agrees to sign a waiver of liability. For purposes of division (G)(4) of this section, "personal items" do not include any items that are attached to the vehicle. (H) No person shall remove, or cause the removal of, any vehicle from private property that is established as a private tow-away zone under this section or store such a vehicle other than in accordance with this section, or otherwise fail to comply with any applicable requirement of this section. (I) This section does not affect or limit the operation of section 4513.60 or sections 4513.61 to 4613.65 of the Revised Code as they relate to property other than private property that is established as a private tow-away zone under division (A) of this section. (J) Whoever violates division (H) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. (K) As used in this section, "owner of a private property" or "owner of the private property" includes, with respect to a private property, any of the following: (1) Any person who holds title to the property; (2) Any person who is a lessee or sublessee with respect to a lease or sublease agreement for the property; (3) A person who is authorized to manage the property; (4) A duly authorized agent of any person listed in divisions (K)(1) to (3) of this section. Last updated March 21, 2023 at 10:48 AM
Section 4513.602 \| Dealer or repair facility removal of unclaimed vehicle by towing. Effective: March 23, 2022 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 134th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) As used in this section and section 4513.603 of the Revised Code: (1) "Motor vehicle dealer" has the same meaning as in section 4517.01 of the Revised Code. (2) "Repair facility" means any business with which a person has entered into an agreement to repair a vehicle. (3) "Towing service" means any for-hire motor carrier that removes a motor vehicle from a motor vehicle dealer or repair facility. (4) "Storage facility" means any place to which a towing service delivers a motor vehicle from a motor vehicle dealer or repair facility. (B) A motor vehicle dealer or repair facility that is in possession of a motor vehicle may cause the removal of the motor vehicle by a towing service if all of the following apply: (1) A search was made of the records of an applicable entity listed in division (F)(1) of section 4513.601 of the Revised Code to ascertain the identity of the owner and any lienholder of the motor vehicle. (2) Upon obtaining the identity under division (B)(1) of this section, notice was sent to the owner's and any lienholder's last known address by certified or express mail with return receipt requested, by certified mail with electronic tracking, or by a commercial carrier service utilizing any form of delivery requiring a signed receipt, and the notice informs the owner and any lienholder of the following: (a) The address where the motor vehicle is located; (b) That the motor vehicle dealer or repair facility will cause the vehicle to be towed if not claimed within fourteen calendar days after either the date the notice was received or the date the motor vehicle dealer or repair facility receives notification that delivery was not possible; (c) That a towing service that removes the motor vehicle or a storage facility that stores the motor vehicle may obtain title to it under section 4513.603 of the Revised Code. (3) The motor vehicle has been left unclaimed for fourteen days after one of the following: (a) The date the notice sent under division (B)(2) of this section was received, as evidenced by a receipt signed by any person; (b) The date the motor vehicle dealer or repair facility received notification that the delivery of the notice sent under division (B)(2) of this section was not possible. The procedure described in division (B) of this section applies regardless of who leaves the motor vehicle on the motor vehicle dealer's property or the repair facility's property. (C) A motor vehicle owner's or lienholder's failure to remove the vehicle from the property within the time period specified in division (B)(3) of this section constitutes consent to all of the following: (1) The motor vehicle's removal and storage; (2) The payment of any charges incurred for the removal and storage of the motor vehicle; (3) The right of a towing service that removes the motor vehicle or storage facility that stores the motor vehicle to obtain title to the motor vehicle under section 4513.603 of the Revised Code. (D) After a motor vehicle has been removed by a towing service, a motor vehicle owner or lienholder may reclaim the motor vehicle from the towing service or storage facility that is in possession of the motor vehicle if all of the following apply: (1) The owner presents proof of ownership evidenced by a certificate of title to the motor vehicle, a certificate of registration for the motor vehicle, or a lease agreement. (2) The owner or lienholder makes payment of any charges incurred for the removal and storage of the motor vehicle. (3) Title to the motor vehicle has not been issued to the towing service or storage facility under section 4513.603 of the Revised Code. (E) Any towing service that removes a motor vehicle under this section shall not charge a fee greater than those established by the public utilities commission in rules adopted under section 4921.25 of the Revised Code. (F)(1) Any motor vehicle dealer, repair facility, towing service, or storage facility that complies with this section is not liable for any damage, claim of conversion, or any other claim resulting from the removal, towing, or storage of the motor vehicle. (2) A motor vehicle dealer or repair facility does not forego, release, or otherwise relinquish any legal recourse or right of action against a titled owner or lienholder of a motor vehicle by causing the vehicle to be removed under division (B) of this section, unless possession of the motor vehicle is required for the cause of action. Last updated January 19, 2022 at 1:09 PM
Section 4513.603 \| Obtaining certificate of title to unclaimed motor vehicle. Effective: March 23, 2022 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 134th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) A towing service or storage facility that is in possession of a motor vehicle obtained under section 4513.602 of the Revised Code may obtain a certificate of title to the motor vehicle, regardless of the motor vehicle's value, as provided in division (B) of this section if all of the following apply: (1) A search was made by the towing service or storage facility of the records of an applicable entity listed in division (F)(1) of section 4513.601 of the Revised Code to ascertain the identity of the owner and any lienholder of the motor vehicle. (2) Upon obtaining the identity in division (A)(1) of this section, the towing service or storage facility sent notice to the owner's and any lienholder's last known address, by certified or express mail with return receipt requested, by certified mail with electronic tracking, or by a commercial carrier service utilizing any form of delivery requiring a signed receipt, that informs the owner and any lienholder that the towing service or storage facility will obtain title to the motor vehicle if not claimed within sixty days after the date the notice was received. (3) The motor vehicle has been left unclaimed for sixty days after one of the following: (a) The date the notice sent under division (A)(2) of this section was received, as evidenced by a receipt signed by any person; (b) The date the towing service or storage facility receives notification that the delivery of the notice sent under division (A)(2) of this section was not possible. (4) An agent of the towing service or storage facility executes an affidavit, in a form established by the registrar of motor vehicles not later than ninety days after September 30, 2021, affirming that conditions in divisions (A)(1) to (3) of this section are met. (B) The clerk of court shall issue a certificate of title, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances, to a towing service or storage facility that presents an affidavit that affirms that the conditions in divisions (A)(1) to (3) of this section are met. (C) After obtaining title to a motor vehicle under this section, the towing service or storage facility may retain any money arising from the disposal of the vehicle. Last updated January 19, 2022 at 1:09 PM
Section 4513.61 \| Storing vehicles in possession of law enforcement officers or left on public property. Effective: October 24, 2024 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 94 - 135th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) The sheriff of a county or chief of a law enforcement agency of a municipal corporation, township, port authority, conservancy district, university campus police department, park district police force, or township or joint police district, within the sheriff's or chief's respective territorial jurisdiction, or a state highway patrol trooper, natural resources officer, or wildlife officer, upon notification to the sheriff, chief, or department of natural resources, as applicable, of such action and of the location of the place of storage, may order into storage any motor vehicle, including an abandoned junk motor vehicle as defined in section 4513.63 of the Revised Code, that: (1) Has come into the possession of the sheriff, chief, state highway patrol trooper, or officer as a result of the performance of the sheriff's, chief's, trooper's, or officer's duties; or (2) Has been left on a public street or other property open to the public for purposes of vehicular travel, or upon or within the right-of-way of any road or highway, for forty-eight hours or longer without notification to the sheriff, chief, or department of the reasons for leaving the motor vehicle in such place. However, when such a motor vehicle constitutes an obstruction to traffic it may be ordered into storage immediately unless either of the following applies: (a) The vehicle was involved in an accident and is subject to section 4513.66 of the Revised Code; (b) The vehicle is a commercial motor vehicle. If the vehicle is a commercial motor vehicle, the sheriff, chief, trooper, or officer shall allow the owner or operator of the vehicle the opportunity to arrange for the removal of the motor vehicle within a period of time specified by the sheriff, chief, trooper, or officer. If the sheriff, chief, trooper, or officer determines that the vehicle cannot be removed within the specified period of time, the sheriff, chief, trooper, or officer shall order the removal of the vehicle. Subject to division (C) of this section, the sheriff, chief, or department shall designate the place of storage of any motor vehicle so ordered removed. (B) If the sheriff, chief, trooper, or officer issues an order under division (A) of this section and arranges for the removal of a motor vehicle by a towing service, the towing service shall deliver the motor vehicle to the location designated by the sheriff, chief, or department not more than two hours after the time it is removed. (C)(1) The sheriff, chief, or department shall cause a search to be made of the records of an applicable entity listed in division (F)(1) of section 4513.601 of the Revised Code to ascertain the identity of the owner and any lienholder of a motor vehicle ordered into storage by the sheriff, chief, trooper, or officer within five business days of the removal of the vehicle. Upon obtaining such identity, the sheriff, chief, or department shall send or cause to be sent to the owner and any lienholder at the owner's and any lienholder's last known address by certified or express mail with return receipt requested, by certified mail with electronic tracking, or by a commercial carrier service utilizing any form of delivery requiring a signed receipt. The notice shall inform the owner and any lienholder that the motor vehicle will be declared a nuisance and disposed of if not claimed within ten days of the date of the sending of the notice. (2) The owner or lienholder of the motor vehicle is responsible for payment of any expenses or charges incurred in its removal and storage and may reclaim the motor vehicle upon payment of those expenses or charges, and presentation of proof of ownership, which may be evidenced by a certificate of title or memorandum certificate of title to the motor vehicle, a certificate of registration for the motor vehicle, or a lease agreement. Upon presentation of proof of ownership evidenced as provided above, the owner of the motor vehicle also may retrieve any personal items from the vehicle without retrieving the vehicle and without paying any fee. However, a towing service or storage facility may charge an after-hours retrieval fee established by the public utilities commission in rules adopted under section 4921.25 of the Revised Code if the owner retrieves the personal items after hours, unless the towing service or storage facility fails to provide the notice required under division (B)(3) of section 4513.69 of the Revised Code, if applicable. However, the owner shall not do either of the following: (a) Retrieve any personal item that has been determined by the sheriff, chief, trooper, or officer, as applicable, to be necessary to a criminal investigation; (b) Retrieve any personal item from a vehicle if it would endanger the safety of the owner, unless the owner agrees to sign a waiver of liability. For purposes of division (C)(2) of this section, "personal items" do not include any items that are attached to the vehicle. (3) If the owner or lienholder of the motor vehicle reclaims it after a search of the applicable records has been conducted and after notice has been sent to the owner and any lienholder as described in this section, and the search was conducted by the place of storage, and the notice was sent to the motor vehicle owner by the place of storage, the owner or lienholder shall pay to the place of storage a processing fee of twenty-five dollars, in addition to any expenses or charges incurred in the removal and storage of the vehicle. (D) If the owner or lienholder makes no claim to the motor vehicle within ten days of the date of sending the notice, and if the vehicle is to be disposed of at public auction as provided in section 4513.62 of the Revised Code, the sheriff, chief, or department, without charge to any party, shall file with the clerk of courts of the county in which the place of storage is located an affidavit showing compliance with the requirements of this section. Upon presentation of the affidavit, the clerk, without charge, shall issue a salvage certificate of title, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances, to the sheriff, chief, or department. If the vehicle is to be disposed of to a motor vehicle salvage dealer or other facility as provided in section 4513.62 of the Revised Code, the sheriff, chief, or department shall execute in triplicate an affidavit, as prescribed by the registrar of motor vehicles, describing the motor vehicle and the manner in which it was disposed of, and that all requirements of this section have been complied with. The sheriff, chief, or department shall retain the original of the affidavit for the sheriff's, chief's, or department's records, and shall furnish two copies to the motor vehicle salvage dealer or other facility. Upon presentation of a copy of the affidavit by the motor vehicle salvage dealer, the clerk of courts, within thirty days of the presentation, shall issue a salvage certificate of title, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances. (E) Whenever a motor vehicle salvage dealer or other facility receives an affidavit for the disposal of a motor vehicle as provided in this section, the dealer or facility shall not be required to obtain an Ohio certificate of title to the motor vehicle in the dealer's or facility's own name if the vehicle is dismantled or destroyed and both copies of the affidavit are delivered to the clerk of courts. (F) No towing service or storage facility shall fail to comply with this section. Last updated August 27, 2024 at 3:19 PM
Section 4513.611 \| Civil actions against towing service or storage facility. Effective: March 23, 2022 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 162 - 134th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) As used in this section: (1) "Minor violation" means any of the following: (a) Failure to deliver a vehicle to the designated location within two hours after removal, unless the towing service was unable to deliver the motor vehicle within two hours due to an uncontrollable force, natural disaster, or other event that was not within the power of the towing service, as required under division (A)(2) of section 4513.60 or division (D)(2) of section 4513.601 of the Revised Code; (b) Failure to provide a receipt as required under division (B) of section 4513.60 or division (C) of section 4513.601 of the Revised Code; (c) Failure to take a towed vehicle to a location that meets the requirements of division (A)(2) of section 4513.601 of the Revised Code as required under that division; (d) Failure to comply with any photograph-related requirement established under division (D)(1) or (G)(2) of section 4513.601 of the Revised Code. If a court determines that a towing service or storage facility committed more than one violation of divisions (D)(1) and (G)(2) of section 4513.601 of the Revised Code with regard to the same transaction, the court shall find the towing service or storage facility liable for only one minor violation under this section. (e) Failure to send notice to the owner and any lienholder as required under division (F)(2)(a) of section 4513.601 of the Revised Code; (f) Failure to provide an estimate as required under section 4513.68 of the Revised Code, containing the information required under that section; (g) Charging a fee that does not comply with division (C) of section 4513.68 of the Revised Code if the towing service fee is required to be reduced under that division; (h) Failure to post a notice pertaining to fee limitations as required under division (D) of section 4513.68 of the Revised Code. (2) "Major violation" means any of the following: (a) Failure to give the owner of a vehicle, who arrives after the owner's vehicle has been prepared for removal but prior to its actual removal, notification that the owner may pay a fee of not more than one-half of the fee for the removal of the vehicle for the immediate release of the vehicle as required under division (B) of section 4513.60 or division (C) of section 4513.601 of the Revised Code; (b) Failure to release a vehicle upon payment of not more than one-half of the fee for the removal of the vehicle as permitted under division (B) of section 4513.60 or division (C) of section 4513.601 of the Revised Code; (c) Refusal to allow a vehicle owner to reclaim the owner's vehicle upon payment of the applicable fees established by the public utilities commission and presentation of proof of ownership as permitted under division (D)(1) of section 4513.60 or division (G)(1) of section 4513.601 of the Revised Code; (d) Refusal to allow a vehicle owner to retrieve personal items from the owner's vehicle under circumstances in which the owner is permitted to retrieve personal items under division (D)(2) of section 4513.60 or division (G)(4) of section 4513.601 of the Revised Code; (e) Failure to provide notice to the appropriate law enforcement agency within two hours of removing a vehicle as required under division (E)(1) of section 4513.601 of the Revised Code; (f) Failure to send notice that a vehicle has been towed to the vehicle owner and any known lienholder within thirty days of removal of the vehicle from a private tow-away zone under section 4513.601 of the Revised Code. If a court determines that a towing service or storage facility committed a violation specified in division (A)(2)(f) of this section and a violation of division (A)(1)(e) of this section with regard to the same transaction, the court shall find the towing service or storage facility liable for only the major violation; (g) Failure to visibly display the certificate of public convenience and necessity number as required under division (B)(1) of section 4513.67 of the Revised Code. (B)(1) A vehicle owner may bring a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction against a towing service or storage facility that commits a major or minor violation. (2) If a court determines that the towing service or storage facility committed a minor violation, the court shall award the vehicle owner the following: (a) If the towing service or storage facility has not committed a prior minor violation within one year of the minor violation for which the court has determined the towing service or storage facility is liable, one hundred fifty dollars. (b) If the towing service or storage facility has committed one prior minor violation within one year of the minor violation for which the court has determined the towing service or storage facility is liable, three hundred fifty dollars. (c) If the towing service or storage facility has committed two prior minor violations within one year of the minor violation for which the court has determined the towing service or storage facility is liable, the violation constitutes a major violation and division (B)(3) of this section applies. (d) If the towing service or storage facility has committed three prior minor violations within one year of the minor violation for which the court has determined the towing service or storage facility is liable, one thousand five hundred dollars. (e) If the towing service or storage facility has committed four prior minor violations within one year of the minor violation for which the court has determined the towing service or storage facility is liable, two thousand dollars. (f) If the towing service or storage facility has committed five prior minor violations within one year of the minor violation for which the court has determined the towing service or storage facility is liable, the violation constitutes a major violation and division (B)(3) of this section applies. (g) If the towing service or storage facility has committed six or seven prior minor violations within one year of the minor violation for which the court has determined the towing service or storage facility is liable, two thousand five hundred dollars. (h) If the towing service or storage facility has committed eight prior minor violations within one year of the minor violation for which the court has determined the towing service or storage facility is liable, the violation constitutes a major violation and division (B)(3) of this section applies. (3) If a court determines that the towing service or storage facility committed a major violation, the court shall award the vehicle owner the following: (a) If the towing service or storage facility has not committed any prior major violations within one year of the major violation for which the court has determined the towing service or storage facility is liable, one thousand dollars; (b) If the towing service or storage facility has committed one prior major violation within one year of the major violation for which the court has determined the towing service or storage facility is liable, two thousand five hundred dollars; (c) If the towing service or storage facility has committed two prior major violations within one year of the major violation for which the court has determined the towing service or storage facility is liable, three thousand five hundred dollars. In addition, the court shall order the public utilities commission to revoke the towing service's or storage facility's certificate of public convenience and necessity for six months. The commission shall comply with the order. Upon expiration of the six-month revocation under division (B)(3)(c) of this section, a court shall not consider any violation committed by the towing service or storage facility prior to the revocation for purposes of a civil action initiated after the expiration of the six-month revocation. (4) If a vehicle owner brings a civil action against a towing service or storage facility that alleges multiple minor or major violations, the court shall award, with regard to each violation for which the towing service or storage facility is determined to be liable, a civil penalty as required under division (B)(2) or (3) of this section. The court shall consider each violation as a separate violation for purposes of determining how many violations the towing service or storage facility has committed within one year. (5) In determining if a towing service or storage facility has committed prior minor or major violations within the applicable one-year period, a court shall consider only violations that have been determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been committed by the towing service or storage facility. (C) In addition to an award made under division (B) of this section, if a court determines that a towing service or storage facility committed a violation that caused actual damages, the court shall award the vehicle owner three times the actual damages and reasonable attorney's fees. (D) A court that issues a judgment under this section against a towing service or storage facility shall send a copy of that judgment to the public utilities commission. The commission shall provide a copy of the judgment upon request. Last updated January 19, 2022 at 1:11 PM
Section 4513.612 \| Monetary compensation in exchange for authorization to tow; violation. Effective: April 6, 2017 Latest Legislation: House Bill 341 - 131st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A)(1) No towing service shall knowingly offer or provide monetary compensation in exchange for the authorization to tow motor vehicles from a specified location or on behalf of the person to whom the towing service offered or provided the compensation. (2) Division (A)(1) of this section does not prohibit a towing service from negotiating or reducing towing and storage fees. (B) Whoever violates division (A) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
Section 4513.62 \| Disposal of unclaimed vehicles ordered into storage. Effective: October 24, 2024 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 94 - 135th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF An unclaimed motor vehicle ordered into storage pursuant to division (A)(1) of section 4513.60 or section 4513.61 of the Revised Code is subject to one of the following: (A) The sheriff of the county or the chief of a law enforcement agency of the municipal corporation, township, port authority, conservancy district, university campus police department, park district police force, or township or joint police district, or the department of natural resources may dispose of it with a motor vehicle salvage dealer or scrap metal processing facility as defined in section 4737.05 of the Revised Code, or with any other facility owned by or under contract with the county, municipal corporation, port authority, conservancy district, university campus, park district, township, or department for the disposal of such motor vehicles. (B) The sheriff, chief, department, or a licensed auctioneer may sell the motor vehicle at public auction, after giving notice thereof by advertisement, published once a week for two successive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county or as provided in section 7.16 of the Revised Code. (C) A towing service or storage facility may obtain title to the motor vehicle in accordance with section 4505.104 of the Revised Code. (D)(1) Except as provided in division (D)(2) of this section, money accrued pursuant to division (A) or (B) of this section that are in excess of the expenses resulting from the removal and storage of the vehicle shall be credited to the general fund of the county, municipal corporation, port authority, township, conservancy district, university campus, park district, or joint police district, as the case may be. (2) Any money accrued by the department of natural resources pursuant to division (A) or (B) of this section that is in excess of the expenses resulting from the removal and storage of the vehicle shall be credited as follows: (a) To the wildlife fund created under section 1531.17 of the Revised Code if the unclaimed motor vehicle was removed from property under the control or jurisdiction of the division of wildlife; (b) To the state park fund created under section 1546.21 of the Revised Code if the unclaimed motor vehicle was removed from property under the control or jurisdiction of the department of natural resources other than property under the control or jurisdiction of the division of wildlife. Last updated August 27, 2024 at 3:20 PM
Section 4513.63 \| Photograph and record of information as to abandoned junk vehicles. Effective: October 24, 2024 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 94 - 135th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF As used in this section, "abandoned junk motor vehicle" means any motor vehicle meeting all of the following requirements: (1) Left on private property for forty-eight hours or longer without the permission of the person having the right to the possession of the property, on a public street or other property open to the public for purposes of vehicular travel or parking, or upon or within the right-of-way of any road or highway, for forty-eight hours or longer; (2) Three years old, or older; (3) Extensively damaged, such damage including but not limited to any of the following: missing wheels, tires, motor, or transmission; (4) Apparently inoperable; (5) Having a fair market value of one thousand five hundred dollars or less. (B) The sheriff of a county or chief of a law enforcement agency of a municipal corporation, township, port authority, conservancy district, university campus police department, park district police force, or township or joint police district, within the sheriff's or chief's respective territorial jurisdiction, or a state highway patrol trooper, natural resources officer, or wildlife officer, upon notification to the sheriff, chief, or department of natural resources of such action, shall order any abandoned junk motor vehicle to be photographed by a law enforcement officer. The officer shall record the make of motor vehicle, the serial number when available, and shall also detail the damage or missing equipment to substantiate the value of one thousand five hundred dollars or less. The sheriff, chief, or department shall thereupon immediately dispose of the abandoned junk motor vehicle to a motor vehicle salvage dealer as defined in section 4738.01 of the Revised Code or a scrap metal processing facility as defined in section 4737.05 of the Revised Code which is under contract to the county, township, port authority, conservancy district, university campus, park district, municipal corporation, or department, or to any other facility owned by or under contract with the county, township, port authority, conservancy district, university campus, park district, municipal corporation, or department for the destruction of such motor vehicles. The records and photograph relating to the abandoned junk motor vehicle shall be retained by the law enforcement agency or department ordering the disposition of such vehicle for a period of at least two years. The law enforcement agency or department shall execute in quadruplicate an affidavit, as prescribed by the registrar of motor vehicles, describing the motor vehicle and the manner in which it was disposed of, and that all requirements of this section have been complied with, and, within thirty days of disposing of the vehicle, shall sign and file the affidavit with the clerk of courts of the county in which the motor vehicle was abandoned. The clerk of courts shall retain the original of the affidavit for the clerk's files, shall furnish one copy thereof to the registrar, one copy to the motor vehicle salvage dealer or other facility handling the disposal of the vehicle, and one copy to the law enforcement agency or department ordering the disposal, who shall file such copy with the records and photograph relating to the disposal. (C)(1) Except as provided in division (C)(2) of this section, any money arising from the disposal of an abandoned junk motor vehicle shall be deposited in the general fund of the county, township, port authority, conservancy district, university campus, park district, or the municipal corporation, as the case may be. (2) Any money arising from the disposal of an abandoned junk motor vehicle by the department of natural resources shall be deposited as follows: (a) To the wildlife fund created under section 1531.17 of the Revised Code if the abandoned junk motor vehicle was removed from property under the control or jurisdiction of the division of wildlife; (b) To the state park fund created under section 1546.21 of the Revised Code if the abandoned junk motor vehicle was removed from property under the control or jurisdiction of the department of natural resources other than property under the control or jurisdiction of the division of wildlife. (D) Notwithstanding section 4513.61 of the Revised Code, any motor vehicle meeting the requirements of divisions (A)(3), (4), and (5) of this section which has remained unclaimed by the owner or lienholder for a period of ten days or longer following notification as provided in section 4513.61 of the Revised Code may be disposed of as provided in this section. Last updated August 27, 2024 at 4:01 PM
Section 4513.64 \| Willfully leaving abandoned junk motor vehicle. Effective: October 24, 2024 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 94 - 135th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) No person shall willfully leave an abandoned junk motor vehicle as defined in section 4513.63 of the Revised Code on private property for more than seventy-two hours without the permission of the person having the right to the possession of the property, or on a public street or other property open to the public for purposes of vehicular travel or parking, or upon or within the right-of-way of any road or highway, for forty-eight hours or longer without notification to the sheriff of the county or chief of a law enforcement agency of the municipal corporation, township, port authority, conservancy district, university campus police department, park district police force, or township or joint police district, or to the department of natural resources of the reasons for leaving the motor vehicle in such place. For purposes of this section, the fact that a motor vehicle has been so left without permission or notification is prima-facie evidence of abandonment. Nothing contained in sections 4513.60, 4513.61, and 4513.63 of the Revised Code shall invalidate the provisions of municipal ordinances or township resolutions regulating or prohibiting the abandonment of motor vehicles on streets, highways, public property, or private property within municipal corporations or townships. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor and shall also be assessed any costs incurred by the county, township, joint police district, port authority, conservancy district, university campus, park district, municipal corporation, or department in disposing of the abandoned junk motor vehicle that is the basis of the violation, less any money accruing to the county, township, joint police district, port authority, conservancy district, university campus, park district, municipal corporation, or department from this disposal of the vehicle. Last updated August 27, 2024 at 3:22 PM
Section 4513.65 \| Willfully leaving junk motor vehicle. Effective: October 24, 2024 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 94 - 135th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) For purposes of this section, "junk motor vehicle" means any motor vehicle meeting the requirements of divisions (A)(2), (3), (4), and (5) of section 4513.63 of the Revised Code that is left uncovered in the open on private property for more than seventy-two hours with the permission of the person having the right to the possession of the property, except if the person is operating a junk yard or scrap metal processing facility licensed under authority of sections 4737.05 to 4737.12 of the Revised Code, or regulated under authority of a political subdivision; or if the property on which the motor vehicle is left is not subject to licensure or regulation by any governmental authority, unless the person having the right to the possession of the property can establish that the motor vehicle is part of a bona fide commercial operation; or if the motor vehicle is a collector's vehicle. No political subdivision shall prevent a person from storing or keeping, or restrict a person in the method of storing or keeping, any collector's vehicle on private property with the permission of the person having the right to the possession of the property; except that a political subdivision may require a person having such permission to conceal, by means of buildings, fences, vegetation, terrain, or other suitable obstruction, any unlicensed collector's vehicle stored in the open. The sheriff of a county, or chief of a law enforcement agency of a municipal corporation or port authority, or conservancy district within the sheriff's or chief's respective territorial jurisdiction, a state highway patrol trooper, a natural resources officer, a wildlife officer, a board of township trustees, the legislative authority of a municipal corporation or port authority, or the zoning authority of a township or a municipal corporation, may send notice, by certified mail with return receipt requested, to the person having the right to the possession of the property on which a junk motor vehicle is left, that within ten days of receipt of the notice, the junk motor vehicle either shall be covered by being housed in a garage or other suitable structure, or shall be removed from the property. No person shall willfully leave a junk motor vehicle uncovered in the open for more than ten days after receipt of a notice as provided in this section. The fact that a junk motor vehicle is so left is prima-facie evidence of willful failure to comply with the notice, and each subsequent period of thirty days that a junk motor vehicle continues to be so left constitutes a separate offense. (B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. Last updated August 27, 2024 at 3:22 PM
Section 4513.66 \| Removal of highway obstruction. Effective: October 24, 2024 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 94 - 135th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) If a motor vehicle accident occurs on any highway, public street, or other property open to the public for purposes of vehicular travel and if any motor vehicle, cargo, or personal property that has been damaged or spilled as a result of the motor vehicle accident is blocking the highway, street, or other property or is otherwise endangering public safety, a public safety official may do either of the following without the consent of the owner but with the approval of the law enforcement agency conducting any investigation of the accident: (1) Remove, or order the removal of, the motor vehicle if the motor vehicle is unoccupied, cargo, or personal property from the portion of the highway, public street, or property ordinarily used for vehicular travel on the highway, public street, or other property open to the public for purposes of vehicular travel. (2) If the motor vehicle is a commercial motor vehicle, allow the owner or operator of the vehicle the opportunity to arrange for the removal of the motor vehicle within a period of time specified by the public safety official. If the public safety official determines that the motor vehicle cannot be removed within the specified period of time, the public safety official shall remove or order the removal of the motor vehicle. (B)(1) Except as provided in division (B)(2) of this section, the department of transportation, any employee of the department of transportation, or a public safety official who authorizes or participates in the removal of any unoccupied motor vehicle, cargo, or personal property as authorized by division (A) of this section, regardless of whether the removal is executed by a private towing service, is not liable for civil damages for any injury, death, or loss to person or property that results from the removal of that unoccupied motor vehicle, cargo, or personal property. Further, except as provided in division (B)(2) of this section, if a public safety official authorizes, employs, or arranges to have a private towing service remove any unoccupied motor vehicle, cargo, or personal property as authorized by division (A) of this section, that private towing service is not liable for civil damages for any injury, death, or loss to person or property that results from the removal of that unoccupied motor vehicle, cargo, or personal property. (2) Division (B)(1) of this section does not apply to any of the following: (a) Any person or entity involved in the removal of an unoccupied motor vehicle, cargo, or personal property pursuant to division (A) of this section if that removal causes or contributes to the release of a hazardous material or to structural damage to the roadway; (b) A private towing service that was not authorized, employed, or arranged by a public safety official to remove an unoccupied motor vehicle, cargo, or personal property under this section; (c) Except as provided in division (B)(2)(d) of this section, a private towing service that was authorized, employed, or arranged by a public safety official to perform the removal of the unoccupied motor vehicle, cargo, or personal property but the private towing service performed the removal in a negligent manner; (d) A private towing service that was authorized, employed, or arranged by a public safety official to perform the removal of the unoccupied motor vehicle, cargo, or personal property that was endangering public safety but the private towing service performed the removal in a reckless manner. (C) As used in this section: (1) "Public safety official" means any of the following: (a) The sheriff of the county, or the chief of a law enforcement agency in the municipal corporation, township, port authority, conservancy district, university campus police department, park district police force, or township or joint police district, in which the accident occurred; (b) A state highway patrol trooper; (c) The chief of the fire department having jurisdiction where the accident occurred; (d) A duly authorized subordinate acting on behalf of an official specified in divisions (C)(1)(a) to (c) of this section; (e) A natural resources officer or a wildlife officer. (2) "Hazardous material" has the same meaning as in section 2305.232 of the Revised Code. Last updated August 27, 2024 at 3:23 PM
Section 4513.67 \| Operation of towing service. Effective: April 6, 2017 Latest Legislation: House Bill 341 - 131st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) As used in this section, "towing service" means any for-hire motor carrier that is engaged on an intrastate basis anywhere in this state in the business of towing a motor vehicle over any public highway in this state. (B) No towing service shall permit the operation of a towing vehicle on behalf of the towing service, unless both of the following apply: (1) The towing service holds a valid certificate of public convenience and necessity as required by Chapter 4921. of the Revised Code; and (2) The certificate number and business telephone number is visibly displayed on both the left and right sides of the towing vehicle. (C)(1) No towing service shall do either of the following: (a) Fail to make its current certificate of public convenience and necessity available for public inspection during normal business hours; (b) Fail to include its certificate number on all written estimates, contracts, invoices, and, subject to division (C)(2) of this section, advertising. (2) The public utilities commission, by rule, may exempt from the requirements of division (C)(1) of this section any type of advertising where the size or nature of the advertisement makes it unreasonable to add a certificate number. (D)(1) Except as provided in division (D)(2) of this section, whoever violates division (B)(1) of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. A towing service that is issued a citation for a violation of division (B)(1) of this section is not permitted to enter a written plea of guilty and waive the right to contest the citation in a trial but instead must designate an agent to appear in person in the proper court to answer the charge. If the towing service is convicted of or pleads guilty to the offense, the court shall notify the towing service that a subsequent offense will result in the seizure and impoundment of any tow truck that is used to tow vehicles on behalf of the towing service until the towing service obtains a certificate of public convenience and necessity. (2) If a towing service previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a violation of division (B)(1) of this section, a violation of division (B)(1) of this section is a misdemeanor and, notwithstanding sections 2929.24 to 2929.28 of the Revised Code, the court shall impose upon the towing service a fine of five hundred dollars. The court shall require the towing service to disclose the license plate number of every vehicle used to tow vehicles on behalf of the towing service and the court shall order an appropriate law enforcement agency to seize and impound all such vehicles. Upon presentation of a certificate of public convenience and necessity for the towing service, the court shall terminate the order and the law enforcement agency in possession of the vehicles shall release the vehicles. (3) The offense established under division (B)(1) of this section is a strict liability offense and strict liability is a culpable mental state for purposes of section 2901.20 of the Revised Code. The designation of this offense as a strict liability offense shall not be construed to imply that any other offense, for which there is no specified degree of culpability, is not a strict liability offense.
Section 4513.68 \| Estimates of costs before towing. Effective: April 6, 2017 Latest Legislation: House Bill 341 - 131st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) If a towing service is removing a motor vehicle, and the removal was not authorized under section 4513.60, 4513.601, 4513.61, or 4513.66 of the Revised Code, prior to removing the motor vehicle, the towing service shall provide a written estimate of the price for the removal to the operator of the motor vehicle, if requested. (B) The towing service shall ensure that any estimate provided under division (A) of this section includes the fees, services to be rendered, and destination of the vehicle. (C) If a towing service fails to provide a written estimate as required by this section, the towing service shall not charge fees for the towing and storage of the motor vehicle that exceed twenty-five per cent of any applicable fees established by the public utilities commission in rules adopted under division (B)(4) of section 4921.25 of the Revised Code or, if the vehicle was towed within a municipal corporation that has established vehicle removal and storage fees, twenty-five per cent of the fees established by the municipal corporation. (D) Any storage facility that accepts towed vehicles shall conspicuously post a notice at the entrance to the storage facility that states the limitation on fees established under division (C) of this section.
Section 4513.69 \| Storage facilities; business hours; notice. Effective: October 24, 2024 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 94 - 135th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) A storage facility shall ensure that the facility remains open during both of the following periods of time to allow a vehicle owner or lienholder to retrieve a vehicle in the possession of the storage facility: (1) Any time during which a towing service is towing a vehicle pursuant to section 4513.601 of the Revised Code and the vehicle will be held by the storage facility; (2) Between nine o'clock in the morning and noon on the day after any day during which the storage facility accepted for storage a vehicle towed under section 4513.60, 4513.601, or 4513.61 of the Revised Code. (B)(1) A storage facility that accepts for storage vehicles towed under section 4513.60, 4513.601, or 4513.61 of the Revised Code shall ensure that a notice is conspicuously posted at the entrance to the storage facility that states the telephone number at which the owner or lienholder of a vehicle may contact the owner or a representative of the storage facility for the purpose of determining whether the person may retrieve a vehicle or personal items when the storage facility is closed. The storage facility also shall provide that telephone number to the sheriff of a county or chief of a law enforcement agency of a municipal corporation, township, port authority, conservancy district, or township or joint police district, or the department of natural resources, as applicable. The storage facility shall ensure that a process is in place for purposes of answering calls at all times day or night. (2) After receiving a call from the owner or lienholder of a vehicle who seeks to recover a vehicle that was towed pursuant to section 4513.601 of the Revised Code, the storage facility shall ensure that, within three hours of receiving the phone call, a representative of the storage facility is available to release the vehicle upon being presented with proof of ownership of the vehicle, which may be evidenced by a certificate of title to the vehicle, a certificate of registration for the motor vehicle, or a lease agreement, and payment of an after-hours vehicle retrieval fee established under section 4921.25 of the Revised Code along with all other applicable fees. (3) If a storage facility receives a call from a person who seeks to recover personal items from a vehicle that was towed pursuant to section 4513.60 or 4513.61 of the Revised Code and the storage facility is not open to the public, the storage facility shall notify the person that an after-hours retrieval fee applies and shall state the amount of the fee as established by the public utilities commission in rules adopted under section 4921.25 of the Revised Code. The storage facility shall allow the person to retrieve personal items in accordance with division (D)(2) of section 4513.60 or division (C)(2) of section 4513.61 of the Revised Code, but shall not charge an after-hours retrieval fee unless notice is provided in accordance with this division. (C) No storage facility shall fail to comply with division (A) or (B) of this section. Last updated August 27, 2024 at 3:24 PM
Section 4513.70 \| Civil action against towing service or storage facility by insurance company. Effective: June 30, 2017 Latest Legislation: House Bill 26 - 132nd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A)(1) An insurance company may commence a civil action against a towing service or storage facility on its own behalf, on behalf of the holder of a policy of automobile insurance, or on behalf of a motor vehicle owner for either or both of the following reasons: (a) The recovery of a motor vehicle that has been towed or stored and for which a claim has been filed with the insurance company; (b) Objecting to the amount billed by the towing service or storage facility. (2) The insurance company shall file the action in the municipal or county court with territorial jurisdiction over the location from which the vehicle was towed or stored within thirty days of receipt of the bill for services from the towing service or storage facility. If the insurance company objects to the amount billed by the towing service or storage facility, the complaint shall include the amount of the bill that is undisputed and the reasons the insurance company objects to the remainder of the bill. The insurance company shall file, along with the complaint, a copy of the bill and any evidence supporting the assertion that the billed amount is unreasonable. If the insurance company seeks the recovery of the vehicle, the insurance company shall pay to the towing service or storage facility the undisputed amount of the bill. (B) Upon receipt of payment of the undisputed amount of the bill and not later than two business days after receiving service of a complaint filed under division (A) of this section, the towing service or storage facility shall release the vehicle that is the subject of the complaint to the owner of the vehicle or to a representative of the insurance company that filed the complaint. If the towing service or storage facility fails to release the vehicle as required under this division, the court may issue an order that imposes a penalty of up to one hundred dollars per day against a towing service or storage facility for each day the towing service or storage facility violates that division. The towing service or storage facility shall pay any fines assessed under this section to the clerk of courts. (C) The court shall make a determination as to whether the amount charged by the towing service or storage facility is unreasonable. If the court determines that the amount is reasonable, the court shall order the insurance company to pay the amount billed minus the undisputed amount that the insurance company paid to the towing service or storage facility under division (B) of this section if a payment was made under that division. If the court determines that the amount charged was unreasonable, the court shall determine a reasonable amount and order the insurance company to pay that amount minus the undisputed amount that the insurance company paid to the towing service or storage facility under division (B) of this section if a payment was made under that division. The court also may require either party to pay any additional amount and may impose any monetary penalties the court determines to be appropriate. (D) As used in this section: (1) "Storage facility" means any place to which a for-hire motor carrier delivers a towed motor vehicle for storage. (2) "Towing service" means any for-hire motor carrier that tows motor vehicles.
Section 4513.99 \| Penalty. Effective: September 28, 2012 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 337 - 129th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Any violation of section 4513.10, 4513.182, 4513.20, 4513.201, 4513.202, 4513.25, 4513.26, 4513.27, 4513.29, 4513.30, 4513.31, 4513.32, or 4513.34 of the Revised Code shall be punished under division (B) of this section. (B) Whoever violates the sections of this chapter that are specifically required to be punished under this division, or any provision of sections 4513.03 to 4513.262 or 4513.27 to 4513.37 of the Revised Code for which violation no penalty is otherwise provided, is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.