Form BMV 4808 at a glance
What it is: Application for Registration of a Motor Vehicle with Restricted Plates from the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
Who signs: Completed and signed application. The Trial Court must complete and sign the Court notification.
Whenever an Ohio registration and license plates have been impounded in accordance with Ohio Revised Code Section 4507.02, the vehicle owner, with court approval, may apply for restricted license plates.
When the license of any person is suspended or revoked, the trial judge may impound the Ohio registration and Ohio license plates of any motor vehicle the individual owns.
What to bring and attach to Form BMV 4808
Completed and signed application.
The Trial Court must complete and sign the Court notification.
Ohio Certificate of Title/Memorandum Title or current Registration Card is required (copies not acceptable).
A filled-in Form BMV 4808 example: Dana applies for restricted plates
How to fill out Form BMV 4808, box by box
Registration information found on valid Ohio/out-of-state registration card
Type or print the registration information found on the valid Ohio/out-of-state registration card: License plate #, Expiration date and State.
Vehicle information from Ohio certificate/memorandum title
Enter the vehicle information from the Ohio certificate/memorandum title: Vehicle serial no., Make, Year, Type and Certificate of title no. (Ohio only).
Owner information
Under Owner information, enter the Owner name, the Ohio driver license, Ohio ID, Social Security no. or Tax ID no., the Residence address with City, State and Zip code, the Joint owner name, the County of residence, and the Owner mailing address with City, State and Zip code.
Incorporated city or township
Fill in the Incorporated city name only if you live inside corporation limits.
Fill in Township only if you live outside corporation limits.
Suspension or revocation, operated on public roads or highways, fees paid
Is your license plate registration under suspension or revocation under the Ohio Financial Responsibility Law?
Has the motor vehicle being registered been operated by the owner on public roads or highways prior to date of this application?
If operated by the owner on public roads or highways prior to this date, have required registration or transfer fees been paid?
Owner signature and date
Sign on the Owner signature line and enter the Date.
Court notification
Court notification must be completed by trial court: an application for restricted plates has been submitted by the following named individual, the defendant.
Enter the defendant Residence street, City, State and Zip code.
Indicate the action to be taken: Application approved or disapproved by Authorized Official as submitted by, Court in the County of, State of Ohio, and the Date Suspended or Revocation Expires. Do not write in the part for BMV use only.
Entered on records
Entered on records is for BMV use only: License number, Year, Type, Date, Fee and By.
Before you go
Restricted license plates can only be issued to a vehicle with a current registration.
Common questions about Form BMV 4808
What documents are needed for new plates in Ohio?
For new Ohio license plates the original Certificate of Title/Memorandum Title is required.
Where do I file it?
To obtain restricted license plates, present the items, and this completed form must be taken to your local Deputy Registrar.
Are there fees?
Payment due: Plate, $8.25 and Deputy Fee (checked November 12, 2026).
Sources
[1] Form BMV 4808 (4/15), Application for Registration of a Motor Vehicle with Restricted Plates, Ohio Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Motor Vehicles (the Official source link on this page).
