Starting today, a new specialty license plate recognizing Ohio’s volunteers is available through the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).

House Bill 273 gave the BMV the authority to issue the Volunteer plate through the Special Plates program. The plates cost $25 annually, in addition to the usual registration fees. A portion of the plate fees, $15, will be dispersed by OSCS throughout the state to support volunteer initiatives and to assist local volunteer organizations.

“The Ohio Community Service Council has worked hard to develop unique and supportive partnerships to assist the state in times of need,” said Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Henry Guzmán. “We are proud to be able to support them through this BMV plate offer.”

Through the Volunteer plate, citizens can display their volunteer pride while showing support of volunteer programs throughout the state. Ohio has a rich history of volunteerism, according to a recent study by the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 30 percent of Ohioans volunteer.

“Many Ohioans have made volunteering a lifelong practice of fulfilling their civic responsibility to their community,” said Kitty Burcsu, executive director, Ohio Community Service Council. “Seeing these plates everywhere will encourage even more people to give back to their communities through volunteer service.”

Volunteer plates can be ordered online at www.oplates.com, or requests for special plates may be made at any Deputy Registrar office, or by calling the Bureau of Motor Vehicles at 1-800-589-TAGS (1-800-589-8247).These plates may also be ordered as reserved or personalized plates with additional applicable fees. They may be issued to passenger vehicles, non-commercial trucks, motor homes, house vehicles and non-commercial trailers.

An image of the new plate can be viewed online at www.bmv.ohio.gov.