Tag Archive for: #NCDMV

NCDMV Employs Online Tools To Tackle Customer No-Shows

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– Information courtesy of NCDMV

To combat folks not showing up for their scheduled appointments at driver license offices, the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles is now requiring new appointments to be confirmed.

In the month of February, 33.5 percent of appointments were no-shows, according to NCDMV officials.

“This confirmation process is necessary to address the high no-show rate for appointments we have been experiencing in our driver license offices,” said DMV Commissioner Wayne Goodwin.

Now, when appointments are reserved online at SkipTheLine.ncdot.gov, customers will receive a text message and email with a confirmation link and they will need to confirm their appointment by clicking either link within 15 minutes, or the appointment will be canceled. Upon confirming their appointment, customers will receive a text and email notification letting them know the appointment was successfully confirmed.

Four days before the appointment, customers will receive a reminder text and email with a confirmation link. Within 24 hours, customers will need to again confirm their appointment. Once confirmed, another email and text will be generated confirming the appointment.

For appointments booked less than four days out, the second confirmation link will not be sent.

“Folks are used to having to confirm their medical and other appointments in this way,”  Goodwin said, “so we’re applying this standard from the private sector to our business model and expecting good results and increased appointment availability.”

A handful of self-service kiosks have opened up in grocery stores in Raleigh, Charlotte and Fayetteville that allows for a variety of DMV transactions. There are additional online tools Walk-In Wait Time Tool and Q-Anywhere to cut down on customers’ wait time in DMV offices.

NC DMV Notes Changes For Teen Drivers

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Parents with teen drivers, take note: there are some changes coming to the graduated driver licensing program, and the state’s Division of Motor Vehicles wants to make sure a trip to your local DMV office goes as smoothly as possible.

The General Assembly passed a bill that went into effect earlier this week which requires teen drivers to have their Level 1 learner permit for 6 months before they get their provisional license. Other requirements remain the same: drivers must be at least 16 years old, log 60 hours of driving time, pass a road test and show printed proof of insurance in the teen driver’s name.

This could lead to bottlenecks at the local DMV, as demand for road tests increases so teens can get provisional driver licenses.

“We ask for your patience as we work to accommodate the thousands of teen drivers that are suddenly eligible to take a road test and receive their Level 2 provisional license,” Goodwin said.

One reminder: road tests, which teen drivers must pass to achieve the Level 2 license, will not be scheduled after 4 p.m.

Customers who need to make an appointment for a road test or conduct DMV business as a walk-in have a new tool which will show the current average wait time at their local DMV office. Find it on the https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/offices. Customers can now hover over the icon marking each driver license office and a box will pop up with the current walk-in wait time. The wait time is defined as the current average length of time from check-in until the customer is called to the workstation for service.

“I’m very excited about this new tool that will show customers the walk-in wait time at driver license offices so they can make an informed decision on which office to go to, or whether to try again another day,” said DMV Commissioner Wayne Goodwin. “This tool will be most useful in the afternoon when our 115 driver license offices are serving walk-ins only.”

During COVID-19 restrictions, the long-standing requirement that teen drivers have their permits for 12 months was temporarily shortened to 6 months; that requirement lapsed at the end of 2022. Furthermore, beginning Jan. 1 2024, the 6-month period will permanently extend to 9 months.

Another change to the graduated driver license process allows Level 2 permit holders to be able to drive one passenger under 21 who is not a family member, if they are being driven directly to or from school. This is in addition to the existing provision allowing one passenger under 21 that is a family member.

Schedule an appointment at https://skiptheline.ncdot.gov/

 

The Local Skinny! Granville License Plate Agency To Open

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The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles will open a new license plate agency on April 11 in Granville County. That’s the good news – but wait, there’s more!

The agency will be located at 120 Roxboro Rd. in Oxford, which is the same location as the previous office, according to information from NC Department of Transportation spokesperson John Brockwell.

Linda Jordon is the new owner/operator. The office will be open from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, except on state holidays.

Granville County residents have been without a license plate agency since November 2022.

The NCDMV oversees the 127 license plate agencies across the state, but the offices are actually run and managed by private businesses or local governments.

In addition to license plate renewals, the local agencies offer vehicle registration services and title transactions, replacement tags, handicap placards and duplicate registrations.

Services including property tax payments and registration renewals can also be completed online at www.MyNCDMV.gov.

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TownTalk: Wayne Goodwin Talks About NC DMV

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Granville County has been without a license plate agency for a few months now, but DMV Commissioner Wayne Goodwin says the process is underway to have an office open again soon.

Goodwin spoke with John C. Rose Wednesday morning on TownTalk and provided an update on this and other topics, from the Real ID program and DMV kiosks to the increased use of electric vehicles in the state.

The DMV office where folks get their driver’s licenses are state agencies, staffed with state employees, Goodwin explained. But the license plate agencies – LPAs – are operated by private contractors with state oversight.

“Occasionally, we’ll have a license plate agency close,” he said, usually because the contract is up and isn’t renewed for one reason or another.

Goodwin said the state has received applications and in currently in the process of choosing a new contractor.

Conducting business online is a popular way to avoid the wait times and sometimes long lines for anyone who needs to transact their business in person. Visit www.myncdmv.gov to renew driver licenses, renew plates and more.

But Goodwin said North Carolina is exploring placing service kiosks that can be accessed any time of the day for those who don’t want to use the online services.

“We’ve decided to do what a few other states are doing,” Goodwin said, in exploring the use of kiosks – standup machines that can provide certain DMV services to the public.

“Be on the lookout for that,” he said, adding that about 20 will be rolled out in grocery stores and other public locations in the near future to test the public’s interest in using them.

Smartphones are figuring into the world of DMV, too.

Some states are implementing mobile driver licenses as a way to cut down on identity theft. North Carolina is exploring that idea, too, he said.

As for the Real ID, Goodwin said “folks on the federal level decided it’d be best that the deadline be pushed back two years…which gives folks more time to become compliant.”

It’s an idea that came about as a result of the 911 attacks, but it is not a requirement.

A gold star in the upper right corner of the driver license certifies that the person has provided the necessary documents that verify identification.

Summit ways to better prepare ourselves for the future.

As for the increased use of electric vehicles in the state, Goodwin said it really boils down to two things: customer demand and what the automobile industry decides to provide consumers.

More EVs means more charging stations as well, and Goodwin said he would anticipate more charging stations popping up.

 

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NCDMV Customers: Beware of Scam Targeting N.C. Residents

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Scammers claiming to be with DOT sending emails with payment link

— UPDATED press release —

(Editor’s Note: The previous version of this news release contained an incorrect version of customer email protocols. The correct version indicates DMV will send customer emails on some occasions regarding driving violations but not for payment of fines or fees.)

ROCKY MOUNT – The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles routinely receives complaints from customers who have been targeted by scammers claiming to be representatives of either the DMV or the N.C. Department of Transportation.

Recently, several law enforcement agencies have reported that many unsuspecting DMV customers are receiving scam emails from a group claiming to be from the “Department of Transportation” and encouraging targeted individuals to click on a link to pay a fine for an alleged driving violation.

Customers are encouraged to be aware of any emails from an individual or individuals using the address “notice@penalty-gov-us” claiming to be from the Traffic Division of the Department of Transportation. The email includes a link to make a payment for a fine.

“DMV customers must remain vigilant as criminals try newer ways to defraud customers and steal their identities,” said DMV Commissioner Wayne Goodwin. “If you receive any unexpected email alleging you owe the DMV or the State money, then be very wary and contact the agency to verify the truth of the communication from an official telephone number or email address, but do not use the contact info appearing in the email.”

Commissioner Goodwin further said, “The NCDMV and the NCDOT will never send customers an email asking for payment for a driving violation. All notifications to customers concerning such violations would be on official letterhead or forms through regular mail.”

To limit confusion when searching for bona fide DMV services and information, consumers should seek out the following:

  • Some websites exist that contain DMV information and forms, but they are not officially approved websites. Web searches may return results with other websites, but only the official state DMV website ends in “.gov.”
  • Beware of third-party websites offering forms or other information that could be out-of-date or erroneous.
  • While not illegal, many of the sites are for profit and ask users to pay for forms.
  • Many sites exist to obtain your information for future marketing, or worse, for using your personal information in fraudulent activities.
  • If you provide payment information on a third-party website, beware that your payment card information may be stolen.
  • Check the “Terms and Conditions” page of the website, where the site states that it is not affiliated with any state government agency.
  • Always remember to look for a website that contains “.gov” in its address to assure you are receiving accurate governmental information.

Go to the official NCDMV website www.MyNCDMV.gov.

TownTalk: DMV Commissioner Goodwin Discusses REAL ID

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The REAL ID looks like any other state-issued driver license, but that gold star emblem in the upper corner is what makes it different from a regular driver license. Beginning in May of next year, having a license in your wallet with a REAL ID enhancement could save you time at the airport or if you need to gain access to a military base, federal courthouse or federal prison, according to N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Wayne Goodwin.

Goodwin spoke with John C. Rose on Wednesday’s TownTalk to discuss details of the REAL ID.

The REAL ID is a way “to verify cardholders’ identities and lawful presence in the United States,” Goodwin explained.

There are specific supporting documents that individuals must provide to initially obtain a REAL ID, but drivers or others who already are in the DMV system may find the process less complicated than someone applying for the first time, he added.

Applicants must apply in person at their local DMV office; the initial process cannot be completed online because the documents must be scanned and stored in the DMV system.

Following is a list of documents needed to apply for a REAL ID:

  • One document that states your full name, proving identity and date of birth;
  • One document that states your full name and full Social Security Number to confirm SSN;
  • Two documents that contain your current physical address to prove residency;
  • Non-U.S. citizens must provide one document that states their full name proving legal presence/lawful status;
  • If applicable, one or more documents that verify any name changes

Although May 3, 2023 has been designated as the date that enforcement of the 2005 REAL ID Act will begin, Goodwin said “it’s not really a deadline, per se, but that’s when federal authorities will begin enforcing it.” He added those with REAL IDs can “visit efficiently” facilities such as nuclear power plants, military bases, federal courthouses and federal prisons.

Domestic airline travelers can show a current passport along with their driver license in lieu of carrying a REAL ID; Goodwin said it is not necessary to have the special ID to vote or to apply for, or receive, any federal benefits.

“It’s a special type of identification issued by each state that is a product of our need as a country to protect ourselves from a national security standpoint after 9/11,”  Goodwin explained.

Goodwin recently completed the process of obtaining his own REAL ID, and said any of the 117 DMV agencies across the state can help individuals do the same.

Visit https://www.ncdot.gov/ to learn more about NC REAL ID, the necessary documents and the process for obtaining a REAL ID.

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NC DMV Accepting Applications To Operate Granville County Office

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Looking for a career change? The state’s Division of Motor Vehicles is accepting applications for a commissioned contractor to operate the license plate agency in Granville County.

Penny Ellington has operated the license plate agency in Oxford since 2009, but the agency will close on Nov. 17 when the contract ends, according to information from the NC DMV office in Rocky Mount.

Completed applications should be returned no later than Sept. 27. The applications (Form MVR-93 or Form MVR-93AA) can be found on the Connect NCDOT website. Interested applicants may call 919.615.8105 to learn more.

In North Carolina, NCDMV oversees the 127 license plate agencies across the state, but the agencies are managed by private businesses or local governments.

The division’s policy is to open applications to operate a license plate agency after the expiration or end of a contract, or when the need arises for a new or additional agency in a certain county.

Three nearby license plate agencies offer service Monday through Friday:

  • Henderson, 946-D W. Andrews Ave., from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 252.438.3528
  • Roxboro, 811 N. Madison Blvd., from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 336.597.4809
  • Louisburg, 808 S. Bickett Blvd., from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., 919.496.4655

In addition, services such as property tax payments and registration renewals can be completed online at www.MyNCDMV.gov.

NCDOT

North Carolina to Eliminate Duplicate Driving Records

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-Press Release, NCDOT

The N.C Division of Motor Vehicles will start using new technology to protect people from identity fraud by making sure people have a driver license in only one state at a time.

Beginning Feb. 25, NCDMV will start using the State-to-State Verification Service to confirm a person’s identity and driving history from other states. The service, which is outlined in the federal REAL ID Act, requires a person to have only one driver license or ID card in one state at a time.

With State-to-State, NCDMV can determine if applicants already hold a driver license or ID card in another state and verify important driving information such as suspended licenses. After a North Carolina driver license or ID card is issued, any out-of-state issuances will be canceled. If an applicant does not want to cancel the out-of-state issuance, they will not be issued a North Carolina driver license or ID card.

All existing North Carolina driver license and ID card issuances will be checked for duplicate issuances in the 21 states already participating in the program. More states are expected to join the program through 2022. NCDMV estimates more than 210,000 North Carolina customers have duplicate issuances in other states.

NCDMV will reconcile duplicate issuances with each state using the service to determine which issuance will be canceled. The state with the most recent issuance will hold the valid license or ID card.

Currently, the following states are using the service:

Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

To update the NCDMV system for State-to-State implementation, all driver license offices will be closed on Saturday, February 23, 2019. Online driver services will be unavailable from 7 a.m. Saturday, February 23 until 3 p.m. Sunday, February 24.

State-to-State is administered by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators. For more information on State-to-State, visit the AAMVA website.

NCDMV REAL ID and ID Cards

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North Carolina to Offer REAL ID Licenses and ID Cards
DMV to provide new federal identification cards in May

Press Release April 26, 2017 – Courtesy: NC Department of Transportation

RALEIGH – On May 1, the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles will begin producing the state’s first REAL ID, an optional license or identification card that meets the security requirements of the federal REAL ID Act.

Frequent air travelers and visitors to military installations and federal facilities may want to consider applying for an N.C. REAL ID. Beginning on Oct. 1, 2020, the Transportation Security Administration and other agencies will require a REAL ID for commercial air travel and access to federal buildings, military installations and nuclear facilities.

Persons without a REAL ID will still be able to board flights and enter federal facilities, but they will need to provide additional identification along with their standard license. For more information about required documentation, contact the TSA or other relevant federal agency.

“The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles has worked extremely hard to prepare our state to meet this new federal requirement,” said NCDOT Chief Deputy Secretary David Howard. “We are glad to offer this optional, single ID to help our citizens travel and access federal facilities.”

Residents must visit a driver license office to apply for their first N.C. REAL ID. Applicants must provide:

One document that proves identity, such as a birth certificate, valid U.S. passport, or immigration documents;
One document that verifies birth, such as a birth certificate, valid U.S. passport or immigration documents;
One document that confirms their Social Security number, such as a Social Security card or W-2 form;
Two documents that establish residency in North Carolina, such as a utility bill, vehicle registration card, or bank statement.

A complete list of documents that are acceptable proofs of identity and residency is available at NCREALID.com.

The N.C. REAL ID will have a gold star in the top right corner to indicate the identity and residency documents are permanently stored with the NCDMV record. Citizens who prefer to keep their current license or ID will receive credentials that carry the notation “Not for Federal Identification.”

North Carolina’s REAL ID will be available at the same cost as a standard driver license and identification card. An N.C. REAL ID can be obtained at the time of renewal or before the renewal period for the cost of a duplicate.

The new standards were established by the federal REAL ID Act, which was passed in 2005 following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The Act is administered by the Department of Homeland Security.

More information on North Carolina’s REAL ID is available at NCREALID.com.

***NCDOT***