CITED FOR A DRIVER'S LICENSE PROBLEM?
THIS PROGRAM MAY HELP

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• You had the "plastic" license with you when you were cited and just can't understand why you got a ticket for driving without a license.

• Your BMV record was incorrect.

• You can't get your BMV record corrected.

• You don't understand what you have to do to get your driving privileges restored.

• You did everything the BMV told you to do, but you still can't get a license.

• The vehicle you were driving was impounded or immobilized and you are sure it was a mistake.

    Municipal Court sees thousands of people each year who are cited to court for driving without a license or driving under suspension. Ohio driver's license laws are complex, even for an experienced lawyer. Among other reasons, you can lose your driving privileges because you:

• Get too many "points."
• Fail to carry insurance.
• Get stopped, show insurance, but your insurance is not properly reported to the BMV.
• Have insurance but fail to pay a "reinstatement" fee.
• Paid for insurance but the BMV wasn't notified of your insurance before you were stopped.
• Got a license suspension in another state and automatically lost your license in Ohio.
• Failed to notify the BMV of your current address and didn't get notice of the license suspension.

When a person appears in court, most judges just want to see the person become licensed and fully insured as soon as possible. Getting a driver licensed and insured usually provides more protection to the public than imposing a large fine, or even jail time, in most driving without a license situations.

A Program To Help

    The Hamilton County Municipal Court has established a program to assist people cited to court for license problems. In the program, BMV records are checked and individuals are advised how to correct their license problems. The program is the called the LIP program (License Intervention Program).

    How LIP Works

    When a person appears in court for a license problem, the judge assesses whether a referral to LIP will help the individual resolve the problem. If so, the individual will be asked if participation in the program is desired. Once referred to the program, the individual's BMV record is checked by a LIP officer. If appropriate, the officer will correct the BMV record. Otherwise the LIP officer, will tell the individual the steps needed to correct the license problem and give the individual a reasonable time to comply. The officer then submits a brief report to the prosecutor. The report also is available to the individual and the individual's attorney, when there is one. If the report indicates the individual was incorrectly cited, the case probably will be dismissed. If the report indicates the individual needed to take certain steps to restore driving privileges, such as paying a reinstatement fee, and the individual has complied, the case is likely to be viewed in a more favorable light by the judge. LIP is not available to persons charged with DUI or individuals in jail.