Ohio § 4501.27
Full text of Ohio Ohio Revised Code § 4501.27, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 4501.27.
(A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, on and after September 13, 1997,
the registrar of motor vehicles, and any employee or contractor of the bureau of motor
vehicles, shall not knowingly disclose or otherwise make available to any person or
entity any personal information about an individual that the bureau obtained in connection
with a motor vehicle record. (B)(1) On and after September 13, 1997, the registrar, or an employee or contractor of the
bureau of motor vehicles, shall disclose personal information, other than sensitive
personal information, about an individual that the bureau obtained in connection with
a motor vehicle record, for use in connection with any of the following matters to
carry out the purposes of any specified federal automobile-related act: (a) Motor vehicle or driver safety and theft; (b) Motor vehicle emissions; (c) Motor vehicle product alterations, recalls, or advisories; (d) Performance monitoring of motor vehicles and dealers by motor vehicle manufacturers; (e) Removal of non-owner records from the original owner records of motor vehicle manufacturers. (2) In addition to the disclosure required under division (B)(1) of this section, on
and after September 13, 1997, the registrar, or an employee or contractor of the bureau
of motor vehicles, may disclose personal information, other than sensitive personal
information, about an individual that the bureau obtained in connection with a motor
vehicle record, as follows: (a) For the use of a government agency, including, but not limited to, a court or law
enforcement agency, in carrying out its functions, or for the use of a private person
or entity acting on behalf of an agency of this state, another state, the United States,
or a political subdivision of this state or another state in carrying out its functions; (b) For use in connection with matters regarding motor vehicle or driver safety and theft;
motor vehicle emissions; motor vehicle product alterations, recalls, or advisories;
performance monitoring of motor vehicles, motor vehicle parts, and dealers; motor
vehicle market research activities, including, but not limited to, survey research;
and removal of non-owner records from the original owner records of motor vehicle
manufacturers; (c) For use in the normal course of business by a legitimate business or an agent, employee,
or contractor of a legitimate business, but only for one of the following purposes: (i) To verify the accuracy of personal information submitted to the business, agent,
employee, or contractor by an individual; (ii) If personal information submitted to the business, agent, employee, or contractor
by an individual is incorrect or no longer is correct, to obtain the correct information,
but only for the purpose of preventing fraud, by pursuing legal remedies against,
or recovering on a debt or security interest against, the individual. (d) For use in connection with a civil, criminal, administrative, or arbitral proceeding
in a court or agency of this state, another state, the United States, or a political
subdivision of this state or another state or before a self-regulatory body, including,
but not limited to, use in connection with the service of process, investigation in
anticipation of litigation, or the execution or enforcement of a judgment or order; (e) Pursuant to an order of a court of this state, another state, the United States,
or a political subdivision of this state or another state; (f) For use in research activities or in producing statistical reports, provided the
personal information is not published, redisclosed, or used to contact an individual; (g) For use by an insurer, insurance support organization, or self-insured entity, or
by an agent, employee, or contractor of that type of entity, in connection with any
claims investigation activity, anti-fraud activity, rating, or underwriting; (h) For use in providing notice to the owner of a towed, impounded, immobilized, or forfeited
vehicle; (i) For use by any licensed private investigative agency or licensed security service
for any purpose permitted under division (B)(2) of this section; (j) For use by an employer or by the agent or insurer of an employer to obtain or verify
information relating to the holder of a commercial driver's license or permit that
is required under the “Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986,” 100 Stat. 3207 -170, 49 U.S.C. 2701, et seq., as now or hereafter amended; (k) For use in connection with the operation of a private toll transportation facility; (l) For any use not otherwise identified in division (B)(2) of this section that is in
response to a request for individual motor vehicle records, if the individual whose
personal information is requested completes and submits to the registrar or deputy
registrar a form prescribed by the registrar by rule giving express consent to such
disclosures. (m) For bulk distribution for surveys, marketing, or solicitations, if the individual
whose personal information is requested completes and submits to the registrar or
a deputy registrar a form prescribed by the registrar by rule giving express consent
to such disclosures. (n) For use by a person, state, or state agency that requests the information, if the
person, state, or state agency demonstrates that it has obtained the written consent
of the individual to whom the information pertains; (o) For any other use specifically authorized by law that is related to the operation
of a motor vehicle or to public safety. (3)(a) Except as provided in division (B)(3)(b) of this section, the registrar, or an employee
or contractor of the bureau of motor vehicles, may disclose sensitive personal information
about an individual that the bureau obtained in connection with a motor vehicle record,
only if either of the following conditions are satisfied: (i) The individual whose personal information is requested completes and submits to the
registrar or deputy registrar a form prescribed by the registrar by rule giving express
consent to such disclosure; (ii) The disclosure is for one or more of the purposes described in division (B)(2)(a),
(d), (g), or (j) of this section. (b) Division (B)(3)(a) of this section does not apply to the disclosure of sensitive
personal information that is subject to section 4501.15 or 4507.53 of the Revised Code . (C) On and after September 13, 1997, an authorized recipient of personal information
about an individual that the bureau of motor vehicles obtained in connection with
a motor vehicle record, other than a recipient under division (B)(2)(l) or (m) of
this section, may resell or redisclose the personal information only for a use permitted
under division (B)(1), (B)(2)(a) to (k), (B)(2)(n), or (B)(2)(o) of this section. On and after September 13, 1997, an authorized recipient of personal information
about an individual under division (B)(2)(l) of this section may resell or redisclose
the information for any purpose. On and after September 13, 1997, an authorized recipient of personal information
under division (B)(2)(m) of this section may resell or redisclose the information
as specified pursuant to that division. On and after September 13, 1997, an authorized recipient of personal information
about an individual under division (B) of this section, other than a recipient under
division (B)(2)(l) of this section, that resells or rediscloses any personal information
covered by this section must keep for a period of five years a record that identifies
each person or entity that receives any of the personal information and the permitted
purpose for which the information is to be used, and must make all such records available
to the registrar of motor vehicles upon the registrar's request. (D) The registrar may establish and carry out procedures under which the registrar or
the registrar's agents, upon receipt of a request for personal information on or after
September 13, 1997, that does not satisfy any of the criteria for disclosure of the
information that are set forth in division (B)(1) or (2) of this section, may notify
the individual about whom the information was requested, by regular mail, that the
request was made. Any procedures so adopted shall provide that, if the registrar or an agent of the
registrar mails the notice to the individual, the registrar or agent shall include
with the notice a copy of the request and conspicuously shall include in the notice
a statement that the information will not be released unless the individual waives
the individual's right to privacy regarding the information that is granted under
this section. (E) The registrar of motor vehicles may adopt any forms and rules, consistent with but
no more restrictive than the requirements of Public Law No. 130-322 , Title XXX, 18 U.S.C. 2721 - 2725 , that are necessary to carry out the registrar's duties under this section on and
after September 13, 1997. (F) As used in this section: (1) “ Motor vehicle record ” means a record that pertains to a motor vehicle driver's or commercial driver's
license or permit, a motor vehicle certificate of title, a motor vehicle registration
or motor vehicle identification license plates, or an identification card issued by
the bureau of motor vehicles. (2) “ Person ” has the same meaning as in section 1.59 of the Revised Code and does not include this state, another state, or an agency of this state or another
state. (3) “ Personal information ” means information that identifies an individual, including, but not limited to,
an individual's photograph or digital image, social security number, driver or driver's
license identification number, name, telephone number, or medical or disability information,
or an individual's address other than the five-digit zip code number. “ Personal information ” does not include information pertaining to a vehicular accident, driving or traffic
violation, or driver's status. (4) “ Specified federal automobile-related act ” means the “automobile information disclosure act,” 72 Stat. 325, 15 U.S.C. 1231 - 1233 , the “Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Saving Act,” 86 Stat. 947, 15 U.S.C. 1901, et seq., the “National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966,” 80 Stat. 718, 15 U.S.C. 1381, et seq., the “Anti-car Theft Act of 1992,” 106 Stat. 3384, 15 U.S.C. 2021, et seq., and the “Clean Air Act,” 69 Stat. 322, 42 U.S.C. 7401, et seq., all as now or hereafter amended. (5) “ Sensitive personal information ” means an individual's photograph or digital image, social security number, or medical
or disability information.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ohio § 4501.27
What does Ohio Revised Code § 4501.27 cover?
Section 4501.27 is part of the Ohio Revised Code, the codified statutory law of Ohio. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Ohio § 4501.27?
A common citation format is "Ohio Revised Code § 4501.27" (Ohio). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Ohio law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Ohio official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Ohio attorney.
How does Ohio § 4501.27 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Ohio can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Ohio.