Former Prosecutor
Will County State's Attorney's Office
20+ Years
Legal Experience
95% Success
First-Hearing Success Rate
100% Remote
No Travel to Illinois Required
Ohio Resident Blocked by an Illinois Hold? We Clear It Without You Leaving Ohio
If the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) has told you that an Illinois revocation is preventing you from obtaining or renewing your Ohio driver's license, you are dealing with a hold that can only be resolved through the Illinois Secretary of State — not the Ohio BMV. Ohio cannot clear this hold for you, and it will not go away on its own no matter how many years pass.
Attorney Jack L. Zaremba is a former Will County prosecutor who has dedicated his practice to clearing Illinois license holds for out-of-state residents. He has helped clients throughout Ohio — from Columbus and Cleveland to Cincinnati, Toledo, Akron, and Dayton — resolve their Illinois revocations entirely by video. You do not need to travel to Illinois at any point in the process.
How an Illinois Hold Blocks Your Ohio License
The Ohio BMV checks the National Driver Register (NDR) and the Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS) before issuing any license. These are federal databases maintained by the U.S. Department of Transportation that track drivers with revocations, suspensions, or serious traffic violations in any state. If Illinois has reported a revocation on your record, Ohio will see it — and Ohio law requires the BMV to deny your application until the out-of-state issue is resolved.
Ohio has a 30-day transfer deadline for new residents — one of the shortest windows in the country. If you have recently moved to Ohio from another state and an Illinois hold is blocking your license, you are operating under an extremely tight timeline. And unlike some states, Ohio cannot simply waive the NDR check or issue a temporary license while the hold is being resolved.
Many Ohio residents are not even aware that an Illinois hold exists on their record until they attempt to transfer, renew, or reinstate their Ohio license. This often happens to people who lived in Illinois years ago — perhaps attending college, working in the Chicago area, or growing up in the state — and picked up a DUI that was resolved through the court system. Under Illinois law, completing your court requirements and paying your fines does not automatically restore your driving privileges. The revocation is a separate administrative action that remains on your record permanently until you go through the Secretary of State's formal reinstatement process.
The Employment Impact — When Your Job Depends on Your License
For many Ohio residents, an Illinois license hold is not just an inconvenience — it directly threatens their employment. Ohio is home to major logistics corridors, manufacturing hubs, and distribution centers that depend on workers with valid driver's licenses and commercial driving credentials. If your job requires driving — whether you operate a company vehicle, drive a delivery route, hold a CDL, or simply need a license to get to work — an unresolved Illinois hold can put your livelihood at risk.
We frequently work with Ohio clients who discover the Illinois hold during an employer background check or a license renewal that is required to maintain their current position. In these situations, time is critical. Attorney Zaremba understands the urgency and works to move cases through the reinstatement process as efficiently as possible while still ensuring thorough preparation — because a denial at the hearing only creates further delay.
How the Process Works for Ohio Residents
Attorney Zaremba's entire practice is structured for out-of-state clients. From your initial consultation to the day the hold is removed from the national database, every step is handled remotely.
Step 1 — Free Case Review: Attorney Zaremba pulls your Illinois driving record and explains exactly what the Secretary of State requires — what type of hearing you need, what documentation is necessary, and how long the process should take.
Step 2 — Evaluation & Documentation: We coordinate your alcohol or drug evaluation with qualified providers. Ohio residents can often complete this step locally with a provider who meets the Illinois Secretary of State's specific standards.
Step 3 — Hearing Preparation: This is the most critical step. Attorney Zaremba prepares you to testify credibly and consistently about your history, your treatment, and the changes you have made. As a former prosecutor, he knows exactly what the hearing officers are looking for — and what will trigger a denial.
Step 4 — WebEx Hearing: Your formal hearing before the Illinois Secretary of State is conducted entirely by video via WebEx. Attorney Zaremba appears with you, handles the proceeding, and advocates on your behalf.
Step 5 — Hold Cleared: Once the Secretary of State grants clearance, the hold is removed from the NDR. You bring the clearance documentation to your local Ohio BMV Deputy Registrar to complete your license application or renewal.
Common Questions from Ohio Residents
I live in Ohio. Do I need to come to Illinois for any part of this?
No. The entire reinstatement process — from your initial consultation through the administrative hearing — is handled remotely. Your hearing is conducted via WebEx video, and all evaluations and document preparation are completed without traveling to Illinois.
I attended college in Illinois and got a DUI 15 years ago. Does that still affect me?
Yes. Illinois revocations are permanent until affirmatively resolved through the Secretary of State's reinstatement process. A DUI from 15 years ago creates the same NDR hold as one from last year. The Ohio BMV will continue to see it at every renewal or application until it is cleared.
My employer requires a valid license. How quickly can this be resolved?
Most cases are resolved within 2 to 4 months. Attorney Zaremba understands employment-related urgency and works to move cases efficiently. However, thorough preparation cannot be rushed — a denial at the hearing creates a longer delay than doing it right the first time.
I only have 30 days to transfer my license to Ohio. Is that enough time?
The Illinois reinstatement process typically takes longer than 30 days. However, you should start the process immediately. Attorney Zaremba can evaluate your case and begin preparation right away, which puts you in the best position to resolve the hold as quickly as possible.
Do I need an Ohio attorney or an Illinois attorney for this?
You need an Illinois attorney. The reinstatement process is governed entirely by Illinois law and conducted before the Illinois Secretary of State. An Ohio attorney would not have the experience or familiarity with the process needed to effectively represent you. Attorney Zaremba practices in Illinois and appears before the Secretary of State regularly.
Don't Let an Illinois Hold Cost You Your Ohio License
Call today for a free consultation. Attorney Zaremba will review your Illinois record and give you a clear picture of what it will take to get this resolved.
We Help Clients Across the Country
Attorney Zaremba has cleared Illinois license holds for clients nationwide. Click your state below for details on how Illinois holds affect your state's licensing process.
Learn more about our out-of-state practice:
-->
