Union County License Hearing Guide
How to request your Administrative License Suspension (ALS) Hearing and protect your driving privileges after a OVI arrest.
Last verified: October 3, 2026
30-Day Deadline
You have exactly 30 days from your arrest to request a hearing. Miss this deadline and your license is automatically suspended. No exceptions.
Enter your arrest date to see your deadline:
If You Request in Time
- • Temporary permit until hearing
- • Chance to keep your license
- • Gather evidence for defense
If You Miss the Deadline
- • Automatic 90-180 day suspension
- • No hearing, no appeal
- • Starts after waiting period
How to Request Your Hearing
Online Request
Fee: Typically $50-$125
Available: 24/7
Instant confirmation
Phone Request
Fee: Same as online
Hours: Business hours only
Expect hold times
Information You'll Need
From Your Notice:
- • Driver License Number
- • Date of Arrest
- • Arresting Agency
- • Arresting Officer Name
Personal Information:
- • Full Legal Name
- • Current Address
- • Date of Birth
- • Phone Number & Email
After You Request
Temporary Permit
ImmediateDrive legally until your hearing
Hearing Notice
20-40 daysDate, time, and format mailed to you
Prepare Defense
Before hearingGather evidence, hire attorney
Attend Hearing
Scheduled dateUsually phone or video
Decision
Same dayWin: keep license. Lose: suspension starts
Temporary Permit
Immediate
Drive until hearing
Hearing Notice
20-40 days
Date mailed to you
Prepare
Before hearing
Gather evidence
Attend Hearing
Scheduled
Phone or video
Decision
Same day
Win or suspension
What to Expect at the Hearing
Most hearings are by phone or video
You usually don't need to travel. When you receive your hearing notice, it will specify whether it's phone, video, or in-person.
Duration
30-60 minutes typically
Who's There
You, your attorney (optional), state attorney, hearing officer
What They Review
Probable cause for stop, proper arrest procedure, test validity
Evidence That Can Help
- Dashcam or bodycam footage showing procedural errors
- Breathalyzer calibration records (if not current)
- Witness statements about your sobriety
- Medical conditions affecting field sobriety tests
Should You Hire an Attorney?
With an Attorney
- Can subpoena arresting officer
- Knows how to challenge evidence
- Uses hearing to strengthen criminal defense
- Higher success rate at hearings
Without an Attorney
- State has experienced attorney present
- May not know proper objections
- Can't effectively cross-examine officers
- Lower win rate statistically
If You Lose Your Hearing
Losing the hearing isn't the end. You still have options to maintain limited driving privileges:
Ignition Interlock
Drive with device installed
Occupational License
Limited driving for work/essentials
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Guides
The single most common and costly mistake in Union County involves confusing two entirely separate deadlines. The court-based ALS appeal — filed with Marysville Municipal Court at the defendant's initial appearance — has to happen within five days of the arrest. A completely different 30-day window applies to a formal written hearing request mailed directly to the BMV. Missing that five-day court deadline permanently waives the right to challenge the underlying mechanics of the suspension, like an officer failing to properly read the warnings on BMV Form 2255, even though the 30-day BMV window might still technically be open. An out-of-state DUI suspension transferring back to Ohio carries its own tighter 21-day deadline.
Written requests to the BMV go to PO Box 16784, Columbus, OH 43216-6784, with a $30 fee payable by check or money order.
The BMV Hearing Can't Give You a Work Permit
A genuine misconception trips people up here: paying that $30 fee doesn't get a work permit or limited driving privileges from the BMV hearing examiner. By statute, the examiner's authority is limited strictly to whether the suspension was lawfully applied — nothing more. Any petition for limited privileges, whether for work, medical appointments, or school, has to be drafted and argued directly in front of the Marysville Municipal Court judge, completely separate from the BMV process.
Reinstatement Doesn't Happen Automatically
Even after the suspension period expires or a judge grants limited privileges, driving stays illegal until the defendant files a completed Alcohol/Drug Reinstatement form (BMV 2326) and pays the reinstatement fee directly to the BMV — frequently exceeding $475. Driving before that happens risks a Driving Under OVI Suspension charge, a new problem stacked on top of the original case.
A Genuinely Convenient Local Office
BMV Express in Marysville, located inside the Kroger on West 5th Street, runs kiosk access from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day of the week — unusually long hours for BMV services anywhere in Ohio. Title-specific business, separate from license and suspension matters, goes through the Union County Title Division instead.
Last updated: October 3, 2026
Top Rated Union County OVI Attorneys
When facing a OVI charge in Union County, finding local, experienced representation is critical. Below are OVI defense attorneys serving Union County, OH; paid listings are advertisements and ratings are from Google.
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