The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (OH BMV) has its origins in 1906, when legislation was passed creating a centralized, statewide registration of motor vehicles. In the first year of operation, 10,649 vehicles were registered.

Since that time, the BMV has been a busy place, as there are now nearly 9 million drivers in the state and close to 3 million driver license holders.

Along the way, many notable events and changes have occurred within the BMV. Some of these are:

• 1918 - Letters are first stamped on plates

• 1925 - The gasoline tax law is enacted

• 1933 - The Department of Highways is created

• 1935 - Legislation is passed making it necessary to have a driver's license before being allowed to drive on public highways

• 1935 - Specialized or vanity plates become available

• 1935 - Safety glass is required for all motor vehicles

• 1957 - The point system takes effect

• 1975 - All functioning license agencies are now connected through a statewide network of computers

• 1988 - Ohio is among the first four states participating in the newly-created National Driver Registry

• 1991 - A computerized title registration program begins, making it easier to detect odometer fraud and track vehicle theft

• 1994 - Driver licenses become digitized, complete with bar codes and magnetic strips

• 1994 - Ohioans are now able to register to vote or update their voter registration at any license agency

• 1996 - E-Check, the emissions testing program, begins

• 1996 - Ohio BMV information becomes available online

• 2002 - The Ohio Donor Registry program begins

A complete history is available at the BMW Web site.

According to the BMV, the "mission of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles is to provide prompt, courteous, and efficient service to the public while fulfilling our obligations as set forth in the motor vehicle laws of the state of Ohio."

Branch offices are located in every county.

Contact information for the BMV headquarters is as follows:

• Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles

• 1970 West Broad St.

• Columbus, OH 43223-1101

The mailing address is:

• Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles

• P.O. Box 16520

• Columbus, OH 43216-6520

For general information, call:

• (614) 752-7500

You can also send an e-mail to the bureau.

The BMV also operates two customer service calling centers.

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