Renewing Ohio license plates has become easier.

        As many states across the nation move to provide online services, Ohio has announced a new Web site where motorists can renew their plates.

GOING ONLINE

Ohio drivers are eligible to renew license plates online at oplates.com if they meet the following criteria:    • Vehicle is currently registered in Ohio.    • Plate is within 90 days of the expiration date or has not been expired for more than six months.    • You own your own vehicle. (Leased vehicles cannot be renewed online at this time.)    • Registration matches the name, address and personal information listed on renewal notice.    • Vehicle registration does not require additional documents to complete. (Leased vehicles require power of attorney.)    • You have a valid MasterCard, VISA or American Express.    • If you live in an eCheck county, you can renew online 24 hours after successfully completing the requirements.

        Other states have seen a 10 percent participation rate the first year they offered online services, said Ashley Ellis, spokeswoman for the Ohio state Department of Public Safety.

        “If Ohio follows that trend of 10 percent, that would be 800,000 vehicle owners participating the first year it's up and running,” she said.

        This move was in response to the state e-commerce bill that was signed in July. The Web site, oplates.com, and a new touchtone service allow Ohioans to renew their license plates for one or more vehi cles at a time.

        As of 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, more than 21,000 people had already used the online or touchtone service. Ohioans have had access to the site since October.

        Plans to expand the services offered are already in the works. In the next few months, the site may add the option of renewing leased vehicles online, allowing people to change their addresses, and making the site bilingual.

        Jo Selnick of Indian Hill was at the renewal office on Red Bank Road in Madisonville on Tuesday afternoon. She usually renews by mail but misplaced some paperwork.

        An online renewal method would be helpful, she said: “A day late and a dollar short. Maybe next year.”

        No such online services are available in Kentucky, but Indiana drivers can renew their registrations online.

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