DMV Is Back Online Thursday

RICHMOND – The Department of Motor Vehicles will be fully operational on Thursday, September 2, 2010. DMV will have all hands on deck when computer service is fully restored enabling the processing of driver's licenses and ID cards in customer service centers. DMV is extending operating hours until 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 2, 2010 and Friday, September 3, 2010 at all 74 locations statewide. During the holiday weekend, DMV is extending Saturday hours at 14 locations (see inset). Headquarters employees trained in field operations will be deployed to offices to assist full-time and part-time employees working to serve the influx of customers affected by the computer outage. DMV estimates approximately 35,000 to 45,000 customers have been unable to receive or renew driver's licenses or ID cards since the service disruption began August 25.

Due to the emergency, DMV will execute the authority to issue licenses for up to eight years. As a result, the validity periods of most licenses and ID cards that expired during the service disruptions are extended by 20 days. For example, licenses that expired August 25, 2010 will be valid until September 14, 2010, allowing customers added time to renew prior to the new expiration date. In addition, customers who renew licenses prior to the revised expiration date will not be required to provide documentation of their U. S. citizenship or legal presence in the country.

DMV has notified law enforcement of the extended validity periods. DMV thanks the Virginia State Police and all local police and sheriff's departments for the no enforcement action for any driver's license that expires between August 25, 2010, and September 30, 2010.

When service resumes, customers will experience longer waits for service due to the increased demand caused by the week-long outage. Driver's license issuance will be a top service priority. Customers who have all other DMV business such as renewing vehicle registrations are strongly urged to use another service method such as www.dmvNOW.com, automated telephone service at 1-888-337-4782, U. S. mail or a DMV Select location. You will avoid the $5 fee for in-person service when you renew your vehicle decals through one of these service options.

Posted by Charles Penifore on Sep 1 2010. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry