Online renewal of licenses, IDs coming to Ohio | News, Sports, Jobs

COLUMBUS — Many Ohioans will be able to renew their driver’s licenses or state IDs online instead of at state motor vehicle offices under a measure in the state’s new transportation budget.

Eligible for the new program are people 21 to 65 whose licenses or IDs were issued in person and who have photos on file with the state, among other requirements. A July 2022 launch is planned.

The change was included in the state’s $8.3 billion transparent budget. Early on, lawmakers stripped one of Gov. DeWine’s top priorities, a crackdown on distracted driving, from the bill.

DeWine wants to make distracted driving a primary offense, meaning police wouldn’t need another reason first — such as speeding — to pull drivers over. His proposal addressed such activities as writing, sending or looking at texts, watching or recording photos or videos, or livestreaming while handling an electronic device, among other activities.

House Republicans wanted to avoid dealing with criminal law in the spending package, and Senate Republicans were cool to the overall idea.