Ohio Title Loan Laws: Rate Cap, Terms and Repossession

By Lenditup Editorial Team · Law last verified May 10, 2026 · How we verify

Yes. Title loans are legal in Ohio, and lenders must follow the Consumer Installment Loan Act (CILA), Ohio Revised Code §§ 1321.62 to 1321.702.

Title loan rules in Ohio at a glance

Title loan rules in Ohio
Title-loan law	Consumer Installment Loan Act (CILA), Ohio Revised Code §§ 1321.62 to 1321.702
Rate cap	25% a year interest (R.C. 1321.68), plus a loan origination charge of $15 up to $250 or 1% of the principal
Fees the law allows	$15 (principal $500 or less), $30 (to $1,000), $100 ($1,000 to $2,000), $200 ($2,000 to $5,000), or the greater of $250 or 1% ($5,000 or more) (R.C. 1321.68(I)(1))
Loan term	At least 6 months
Rollovers and renewals	No refinancing during the first 120 days; no fee for renewing or extending beyond the deferment charge (R.C. 1321.632(E), (F))
Owe the balance after the car is sold?	Yes, the lender may collect what the sale did not cover. Check the statute for any minimum balance
Lender license	Required (Ohio Department of Commerce - Division of Financial Institutions (DFI))
Statute	R.C. 1321.62 to 1321.702 (Consumer Installment Loan Act); Short-Term Loan Act licensees may not take a vehicle title (R.C. 1321.41(H))

Source: R.C. 1321.62 to 1321.702 (Consumer Installment Loan Act); Short-Term Loan Act licensees may not take a vehicle title (R.C. 1321.41(H)) (read the law). We last checked it against the statute on May 10, 2026. See title loan laws in every state.

What a title loan costs in Ohio

Under Ohio's rate rules, borrowing $1,000 for 12 months costs $169 in interest or fees, so you repay $1,169 (30% APR). Your offer may differ.

Example title loan costs in Ohio
Loan	Term	Interest and fees	Total repaid	APR
$1,000	12 months	$169	$1,169	30%
$2,500	24 months	$766	$3,266	27%
$5,000	36 months	$2,363	$7,363	28%

The examples above already include the fee Ohio allows: $15 (principal $500 or less), $30 (to $1,000), $100 ($1,000 to $2,000), $200 ($2,000 to $5,000), or the greater of $250 or 1% ($5,000 or more) (R.C. 1321.68(I)(1)). The lender's written disclosure must show the APR with it.

What happens if you can't repay

If the car is sold for less than you owe, the lender may be able to collect the difference. Some states allow this only when the unpaid balance is above a set amount, so check the statute or ask the lender.

If you think you will miss a payment, call the lender before the due date and ask what options it offers.

How to check a lender in Ohio

Title lenders in Ohio must be licensed (Ohio Department of Commerce - Division of Financial Institutions (DFI)). Search for the lender on the official license lookup before you sign. Complaints go to the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Financial Institutions. Lenditup does not check lender licenses for you (see how we verify).

Looking for a loan in Ohio?

A title loan puts your car at risk, so compare it with a personal installment loan first. If a title loan is still the right fit, you can send one request and see what lenders and lending marketplaces in our network offer.

Start a title loan request

Lenditup is not a lender. Sending a request does not mean you will be approved; each lender sets its own rates and terms within Ohio law.

Title loan questions for Ohio

01What is the most a title lender can charge in Ohio?

25% a year interest (R.C. 1321.68), plus a loan origination charge of $15 up to $250 or 1% of the principal. Your contract must show the APR before you sign.

02How long is a title loan in Ohio?

At least 6 months, under Ohio law.

03Can I roll over a title loan in Ohio?

No refinancing during the first 120 days; no fee for renewing or extending beyond the deferment charge (R.C. 1321.632(E), (F)). Each renewal adds cost, so ask for the total you will repay.

04What happens if I can't repay a title loan in Ohio?

05How do I check that a title lender is licensed in Ohio?

Title lenders in Ohio must be licensed (Ohio Department of Commerce - Division of Financial Institutions (DFI)). You can look a lender up in the official license search.

06Is Lenditup a title lender in Ohio?

No. Lenditup is not a lender. We connect you with lenders and lending marketplaces in our network, and the lender you choose sets your rate and terms within Ohio law.

Title loan laws in other states

Compare every state side by side on the state title loan law table, or read how title loans work and what lenders ask for.

Are title loans legal in Ohio?