Every area has laws and customs that locals take for granted but which could be surprising for newcomers. Here are a few you should know:
Cuyahoga County Courthouse
It is against the law to text while driving everywhere. In Ohio, it is a secondary offense, meaning they cannot pull you over for this alone. However, if you commit a moving violation while distracted by anything such as: texting, holding pets, changing radio station or applying makeup your violation will have an additional $100 charge for the distraction. As of
Many suburbs make it a primary offense to use a handheld cellphone. Fines in Shaker Heights are as high as $1,000. Other towns with this law include: Beachwood, Pepper Pike, Shaker Heights, South Euclid, University Heights, Lakewood and N.Royalton.
Distracted Driving - Teenagers
The distracted driving law is a primary offense for teen drivers under the age of 18. They will face a $150 fine and a 6-month license suspension. This would double after the second offense.
Ohio prohibits teenage drivers from using ANY electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle with the exception of hands-free GPS. This includes music devices such as iPods, iPads and cellphones.
Several counties require all vehicles to undergo an emissions test in order to adhere to the Clean Air Act. Vehicles manufactured in even-numbered years must have an emissions test during even-numbered years, while odd-model-year vehicles are tested during odd-numbered years. The certification lasts for two years. So, while you have to update your vehicle registration annually, the emissions test only needs to be done every other year. The seven counties where vehicle owners have mandatory E-Checks are: Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage and Summit. The test is free and usually takes less than 15 minutes once your car is connected to the emissions hose.
As of January 2020, the minimum wage in Ohio $8.70 per hour for non-tipped employees and $4.35 for tipped employees. This wage only applies to companies with annual gross receipts over $319,000. The minimum wage for employees at smaller companies and for 14 and 15-year-old workers is at least $7.25—the federal minimum wage standard.
Designed to help lower costs of back-to-school clothing and supplies there is a sales tax holiday at the end of summer. In 2020 that weekend is August 7-9. Clothing priced at $75 per item or less; school supplies priced at $20 per item or less; and school instructional material priced at $20 per item or less are exempt from sales tax. Items used in a trade or business are not exempt under the sales tax holiday.
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