Federal & State Regulations | Vehicle Registration Exemptions - Ohio

In Ohio, “motor vehicle” means any vehicle, including mobile homes and recreational vehicles, that is propelled or drawn by power other than muscular power or power collected from overhead electric trolley wires.

Vehicles excluded from the definition include:

Utility vehicles (defined below),
Under-speed vehicles (defined below),
Mini-trucks (defined below),
Motorized bicycles,
Electric bicycles,
Road rollers,
Traction engines,
Power shovels,
Power cranes and other equipment used in construction work and not designed for or employed in general highway transportation,
Concrete pump,
Concrete conveyor,
Well-drilling machinery,
Ditch-digging machinery,
Farm machinery, and
Trailers that are 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 public road or highway for no more than 10 miles and at a speed of 25 miles per hour or less.

“Utility vehicle” means a self-propelled vehicle designed with a bed, principally for the purpose of transporting material or cargo in connection with construction, agricultural, forestry, grounds maintenance, lawn and garden, materials handling, or similar activities.

“Under-speed vehicle” means a three-or four-wheeled vehicle, including a vehicle commonly known as a golf cart, with an attainable speed on a paved level surface of not more than 20 miles per hour and with a gross vehicle weight rating less than 3,000 pounds.

“Mini-truck” means a vehicle that has four wheels, is propelled by an electric motor with a rated power of 7,500 watts or less or an internal combustion engine with a piston displacement capacity of 660 cubic centimeters or less, has a total dry weight of 900 to 2,200 pounds, contains an enclosed cabin and a seat for the vehicle operator, resembles a pickup truck or van with a cargo area or bed located at the rear of the vehicle, and was not originally manufactured to meet federal motor vehicle safety standards.

Other

Snowmobile,
Off-highway motorcycle, and
All-purpose vehicle.

No registration is required for a snowmobile or off-highway motorcycle when operated exclusively upon lands owned by the owner or on lands to which the owner has a contractual right.

An all-purpose vehicle is exempt when used primarily for agricultural purposes when the owner qualifies for the current agricultural use valuation tax credit, unless it is used on any public land, trail, or right-of-way. When exempted, any all-purpose vehicle may use public roads and rights-of-way when traveling from one farm field to another, when such use does not violate section 4519.41 of the Revised Code.

No registration is required for a snowmobile or all-purpose vehicle that is operated on a state highway as authorized by division (F) of section 4519.41 of the Revised Code.

No registration is required for a snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all-purpose vehicle owned and used in this state by a resident of another state whenever that state has in effect a registration law similar to Ohio and the vehicle is properly registered under that state’s law. Any such vehicle owned and used in Ohio by a resident of a state not having a registration law similar to Ohio must comply with section 4519.09 of the Revised Code. (i.e., obtain a temporary operating permit).

No registration is required for a snowmobile, off-highway motorcycle, or all-purpose vehicle owned and used in Ohio by the United States, another state, or a political subdivision thereof, but vehicle must display the name of the owner thereon.

The owner or operator of any all-purpose vehicle operated or used upon the waters in Ohio must comply with Chapters 1547. and 1548. of the Revised Code relative to the operation of watercraft.

Vehicles exempt under a certificate of reciprocity

A certificate of reciprocity will exempt the owner and the driver of every motor vehicle which is duly registered in the state, district, country, or sovereignty other than Ohio, to which the certificate is granted, from the registration and licensing laws of Ohio, provided such owner or driver has complied with the law in regard to motor vehicles in the jurisdiction in which the vehicle is registered and complies with such law while operating and driving the vehicle upon the public roads of this state.

The certificate will not, however, exempt the owner from the requirements related to the filing of a return, application, or permit, or from the payment of any other taxes which may be imposed on Ohio-owned motor vehicles.

The owner or operator of a motor vehicle duly registered under the international registration plan in Ohio or in any other jurisdiction for which Ohio has received an apportioned registration tax or fee, or which is otherwise operating in accordance with the provisions of the international registration plan, is not required to obtain a certificate of registration under section 4503.10 of the Revised Code.

Citations

ORC Ann. 4501.01 Definitions
ORC Ann. 4503.01 Motor vehicle defined
ORC Ann. 4519.02 When registration required; Application of watercraft laws
ORC Ann. 4519.02 When registration required; Application of watercraft laws
ORC Ann. 4503.37 Reciprocity certificates

['Registration and Permits - Motor Carrier']

['Vehicle registration exemptions']

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Vehicle Registration Exemptions - Ohio

Other

Vehicles exempt under a certificate of reciprocity

Citations