COLUMBUS, Ohio - As 2025 draws to a close, Ohio drivers are approaching the final implementation phase of the state’s public safety budget, which will result in higher vehicle ownership costs starting New Year’s Day. House Bill 96, which Governor Mike DeWine signed into law in June, utilized a staggered implementation schedule that has already put most of the legislation into effect while delaying financial impacts on drivers until Jan. 1, 2026.

The new law was designed with three distinct rollout dates, two of which have already passed. The operating appropriations, which fund the daily activities of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, became active immediately upon the bill's signing on June 30. Subsequently, the general legal provisions within the act took effect on Sept. 30, following the standard ninety-day period for new state laws. While the regulatory framework has been in place for months, the specific section mandating fee increases was carved out for a delayed start to align with the calendar year.

When the new rates take effect in January, the additional fee charged during the annual registration of a passenger car will increase from $11 to $16. This $5 increase is legally designated to help the Department of Public Safety cover the administrative costs associated with enforcing motor vehicle and traffic laws.

Drivers will also see a rise in the service fee collected by the registrar or deputy registrar for processing transactions. Currently set at $5, this fee will jump to $8. Although the legislation authorizing this change became active in late September, the fee structure was effectively paused to launch alongside the registration hike. For a standard passenger vehicle renewal, the combination of the registration increase and the service fee adjustment means Ohioans will pay $8 more per vehicle than they did throughout 2025.

Commercial drivers and those buying or selling vehicles will also see adjustments. The annual registration fee for non-apportioned commercial vehicles will rise from $30 to $35. Additionally, the statutory fee for obtaining a certificate of title will increase from $15 to $18. This title fee applies to ownership transfers and is separate from annual registration costs.

State lawmakers have directed the revenue from the service fee increase specifically to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. According to the text of the bill, these funds must be used exclusively to support the patrol’s operations.

With the September effective date well behind the state, the current fee structure remains valid for only a few more weeks. Transactions processed through the remainder of December will continue to be charged at the existing rates. The higher fees will strictly apply to applications and renewals received on or after Jan. 1, 2026.