Ohio Judge Nixes Driving Record Fee

A judge has struck down a higher motor vehicle fee charged to trucking and insurance companies, saying it violates Ohio’s constitution.

Lawmakers last year raised the fee on certified copies of driving records from $2 to $5, a move intended to generate $10 million for homeland security and emergency medical services.

But Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Richard Frye ruled that the state constitution requires the money to go toward highway construction and safety.

The ruling was a victory for trucking companies and insurance agents, who filed the lawsuit and pay the fees to verify licenses and driving records. State officials likely will appeal the decision.

Frye will hear arguments June 18 on whether to refund fees collected over the past 11 months.

Information from: The Columbus Dispatch