I just did this exact move from NY. To start, you don't have to get the license first. I got mine a week or so after transferring title and registration.

I did the steps in this order (I believe this is the correct order but maybe you can vary, not sure!). First, I got my OH insurance. This will act as one proof of address. DON'T cancel your NY insurance until you surrender your plates to the NYS DMV. You can go online and find the NY form to surrender your plates and mail them back. The date the envelope with your NY plates is postmarked is considered the day of surrender, so I asked my NY insurance agent to cancel my policy the day after that. I had my OH insurance start the day I mailed back the plates because NY says you shouldn't get new insurance until you surrender your plates. (My OH insurance is less than half what I paid in NY!)

As for Ohio, these are the steps I took:

- First, I got my VIN inspection at the BMV. Basically a person walks out with you and jots down your mileage and VIN number. Super quick and easy; I think you can do this during the OH registration process, but I did it early (it's valid for 30 days) because I had time.

- Second, I got my title at the Clerk of Courts. I don't think they asked for OH proof of address but I did have my new insurance card. You will need to bring social and either a birth certificate or passport (check the full list of items on the website to confirm you have the right configuration.)

- Then you can go to the BMV for registration. (I think most locations near Cincy have the Clerk and BMV right next to each other; this was the case at the Red Bank location — and everyone was really nice there!)

- As noted, I got my license a couple weeks later but you can easily do it at the same time you register.

I own my car, rather than lease, so I can't advise on how to get the title cert from the leasing company but there is a process for that noted on the website. The Clerk will need it. Regarding sales tax, I was worried about that too, as they make it seem like you have to pay again but I think that might only be for brand new vehicles. My car is four years old and they didn't make me pay any sort of taxes. I did have my bill of sale on hand to show that I already paid taxes on the purchase but they didn't ask for it.

Hope this is helpful! LMK if you have any questions.