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Deputy registrars and auto dealers warn of closures, service delays without modest fee increase for BMV services
Summary
Deputy registrars and auto dealer representatives told the Senate committee that rising costs and stagnant fees threaten Ohio's privatized BMV network and asked for a modest transaction fee increase to help retain staff, reduce turnover and prevent office closures that would lengthen drive times and waits for residents.
Representatives of deputy registrars and the auto dealer community testified that Ohio's privatized Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) agent network faces financial strain from rising wages, rent and operating costs while statutory fee compensation has not kept pace.
John Degenbach, chairman of the Ohio Deputy Registrar's Association, said deputy registrars are small businesses that process more than 15 million in‑person transactions annually and that fees for many services have not materially changed in 20 years. "Local offices that are unable to make ends meet are closing," Degenbach said, adding that closures lead to longer drives and longer wait times.
Timothy Elliott of the Northeastern Ohio Auto Dealers Association, who runs an Akron BMV agency, told the committee payroll costs rose from about 48% of revenue in 2019 to roughly 65% in 2025 under present fee schedules. He and other witnesses asked the Legislature to allow a modest, across‑the‑board fee increase for deputy registrar transactions (testimony described an increase in the $5–$10 range) to keep offices viable and retain experienced clerks trained to detect fraud.
Witnesses described operational details: many identity and title transactions must be done in person for fraud prevention and training for clerks is layered and ongoing. They also told senators that some online improvements (kiosks and renewed online renewals) exist but cannot replace brick‑and‑mortar services for first‑time identifications, vision tests and title processing.
Ending: Senate staff will review written testimony and fee proposals; witnesses urged adoption of a modest fee increase to avoid service disruptions across Ohio.
