CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) continues to expand its services available online, with new online services added this month.
“West Virginia DMV strives to treat every customer as a welcomed guest,” said Everett Frazier, Commissioner of DMV. “Part of that is to truly respect their time, and provide a quality experience. DMV is a lot more than just driver’s licenses and registrations.”
Vehicle registration and driver’s license renewals continue to be among the most popular online services for DMV, but an increasing number of services are now available online. There are services listed for vehicles, drivers, motor carriers and car dealers. Services such as a change of address form may help guests save time during a busy life event, when the to-do list seems endless. Online services can even be fun, with opportunities to browse scenic and specialized plates or check to see if personalized plate combinations are available (check to see if anyone else has already thought of it!)
The following services have recently been added to the list of available online transactions:
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Eligible groups can now submit an application and the required documents to request a title for an abandoned motor vehicle.
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Individuals meeting the required criteria can now submit an application and the required documents to apply for a title for an antique abandoned vehicle.
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Individuals or businesses now have the ability to apply for a duplicate title, if the title does not have an associated lien.
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Individuals or groups can now apply for and submit the required documents to perform a cancellation of mobile home title request.
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Citizens now have the ability to request a new license plate for their vehicle if they did not apply for registration at the time of titling, or if they had a previous registration that has been expired for more than 12 months.
These services are new in addition to the services already online. Making services available online is one of the keys to reducing wait times in DMV offices around the state. The statewide average for wait time plus service time was reduced to under 30 minutes as online services grew, and with the expansion of online options wait times continue to drop.
Another perk of expanding DMV services online is that it gives guests an opportunity to conduct their business in the manner which is most convenient and comfortable for them. Some prefer a face to face transaction, others may prefer that but have limited time available on a busy day. Some would rather click through a few buttons online and take care of the whole process from the comfort of home, or other locations.
Office trips can still be necessary or advisable. Some common scenarios for a trip to your regional DMV include:
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The new America’s 250th Anniversary limited edition license plate is best purchased at your local DMV office. Those turning in another license plate with time remaining on its registration will receive a prorated rate on the $51.50 annual fee. There is a $10 additional fee for the new plate because it is a scenic plate (not standard license plate.) Your customer service agent can do the formula on your prorated amount and hand you the new plate while you’re at the office, eliminating the need to wait for it in the mail. The new plate is available on hand at every DMV regional office.
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Online knowledge tests are among the most popular services to be offered, and they can have benefits such as eliminating some of the test anxiety, assisting future drivers who may have limited options to get to a testing site and helping get newer drivers on the path to a lifetime of responsible driving by getting a learner’s permit more efficiently. Once a future driver passes their knowledge test online, they must still bring all required documents to the office, including their birth certificate, driver’s license application, and proof or residence, and pay the $7.50 permit processing fee.
As West Virginia DMV continues to innovate, look for additional expansion of online services. Guests can browse available online services at https://apps.wv.gov/DMV/SelfService/ Online services will continue to grow, as DMV employees working behind the scenes continue to work out the details of making additional transactions available in the digital space.
It’s about merging the paperwork parts of car ownership with the human experience, and making the things that must be done a friendlier process for the folks who need to do them.
“With online services, you can even renew your license while you’re frying an egg,” says Frazier.
