Honoring Those Who Have Served

As Memorial Day approaches, let us remind ourselves of those who have given selflessly of themselves in order to serve our beloved country. The DMV has certainly not forgotten about the brave men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces and have since passed on.

To show our support, the DMV has created a useful webpage dedicated solely to active military personnel, veterans and their families. Included in the webpage are a variety of resources to help connect the armed services community with important benefits, services and opportunities. The page even features a calendar of events, which helps active military and veterans locate events throughout the California region.

DMV would like to take the opportunity to honor those who have served and are no longer with us. The sacrifices these individuals made for this country and the citizens of California are greatly appreciated.

In other words, the DMV Salutes Active Military and Veterans.

Celebrate National Bike and Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month with DMV!

DMV continues its commitment to those using California highways by reminding bicyclists, motorcyclists and motorists to share the road safely. In celebrating May as National Bike and Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, DMV has created useful resource pages for both motorcyclists and bicyclists.

On the California Motorcycle Resources webpage you will find information on licensing requirements, safety tips, and an online version of the latest California Motorcycle Handbook. There are even practice tests to help you prepare for the DMV motorcycle written exam! So, whether you’re interested in obtaining your motorcycle license or an avid rider who needs to brush up on your knowledge and skills, this site was created for you! 

In addition, DMV recently introduced a new Bicycle Resources webpage to inspire generations of safe bicyclists. DMV recognizes bicyclists’ attraction to the Golden State because of its desirable weather, beautiful scenery and great roads. The new bicycle webpage includes useful links that range from bicycle maintenance, developing safe riding skills, to avoiding common causes of bicycle accidents. References to California codes, laws and regulations to ensure safe bicycling on California highways can also be found.

Are you excited yet? Well, put on your helmet and enjoy the ride!

Are you a Registered User? You Can Be… It’s As Easy As 1, 2, 3!

DMV is committed to protecting the identity of our customers, so it makes perfect sense that some of the online services and applications require you to become a registered user before you can proceed with your transaction. Registering as a user allows you secure personalized access to additional online applications and services.

The following are the online applications and services that require you to sign up for an account with DMV:

• Driver Record
• Vehicle Record
• Change of Address
• Driver License/Identification Card Renewal 
• Traffic Accident Report – SR1 Eform
• Vehicle Registration Email Reminder Program

In order to become a registered user with the DMV, you will need to have the following information on hand:

1. Valid email address
2. Driver license or identification card number
3. Last four digits of your social security number

For those who have been issued the new California driver license, the picture below will show you where to find the issue date.

To date, over 4.5 million people have already become registered users with DMV. So, what are you waiting for?

 

Does My Mustang Need to be Smogged?

Buddy the Mustang. and yes, he’s FAST!

Not the REAL kind, but then those do require some hay and a few carrots.  However, if you own a Ford Mustang in California (or any other kind of car, for that matter) chances are you need to get a smog certificate every other year.

Once you receive the friendly reminder in the mail (yes, DMV tries to be nice about it) that you need a smog certificate, start that task immediately.  Don’t wait! Try not to put it off until the last minute like you did with your homework! (Well, some of us did, anyway).

Go down to your local smog check station first thing to get your car smogged,  and get your smog certificate.  Then,  go online to DMV.ca.gov and pay your registration fee.  The smog check station will electronically send your certificate to the DMV and you will receive your tags and registration card in the mail in a few weeks.  If you don’t, give us a call as soon as you can at 800.777.0133.

Yikes, I’m Late!

We know, life happens and that renewal notice that’s been buried under your other bills suddenly pops into your head and to your horror, you realize it’s due TODAY and you didn’t get your car smogged!  Get online and pay your fee right now to avoid penalties.  Stop reading this and go pay it!  What are you doing still reading this? We’ll wait…Go!

Avoid the Aspirin

So, the moral of this story is to start working on getting your smog certificate the minute you get your renewal notice, which is sent to you 60 days in advance.  That’s  plenty of time to get things worked out, just in case the unspeakable happens and your car fails the smog test.   Handling it immediately will also give you plenty of time if you have to make any repairs before you’re registration is due, too.  If your car fails the smog test, and your tags have expired, and you didn’t get your car fixed in time, you can bring in the failed smog test report and pay $50 for a 60-day Temporary Operating Permit.  Just bring in proof that you failed your smog test (it can’t be more than 30 days old).

After reading this, you may opt for the actual mustang as your mode of transportation, but you’ll have to leave for work a lot earlier!

The Tale of Two Mojitos

Trudy hadn’t been out in ages, so when she got invited to meet some friends after work, she was excited beyond words.  Of course she had to tell us all about it on Facebook and Twitter.

She made it to the sports bar where her friends had gathered and Trudy orders her favorite cocktail, the ever popular Mojito.  If you’ve ever had one of these drinks, you know they go down pretty easy since you can hardly taste the alcohol.   Trudy slugged down her first drink, then quickly ordered another. Now mind you, Trudy is 5’2” and weighs 105 pounds, and that’s if she is soaking wet.  Oh, and to top it all off, she hadn’t eaten anything since breakfast,  by this time, it’s well into dinner time.   Take a look at this drink chart.  Was she in the danger zone by this point?  Well, yeah!  She was in the danger zone with her first drink!  Trudy, Trudy Trudy.  Wasn’t that a song?  I’ll have to Google that…  I digress……

A Tale of Two Courts

To make matters worse, Trudy made a bad decision to drive home and she got pulled over for having a tail light out.  But it isn’t just the taillight that causes her trouble, she ended up getting arrested for DUI, went to jail and had her car impounded.  Oh, but that’s just the beginning of this sad tale.

Trudy then had to go to the DMV hearing where they suspended her license for four months, and put a DUI on her driving record for the next 10 years.

Then she had to go to the criminal court, where the judge made her pay a big fine, go to a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Program (which also costs a bunch of money) and was put on probation.  To help her along with her legal troubles, she had to hire an attorney.  This whole ordeal cost her at least $10,000 dollars.

After all was said and done, Trudy Tweeted:.

@trudy1257388, I thought I could handle 2 drinks and the quick drive home, but I got a DUI and should have called a cab

Doing Business with the DMV When Systems Are Down

DMV is committed to customer satisfaction. However, when our systems are down either for maintenance or technical difficulties, there are a few tips to fast-track your communication with us:

• In the event your registration is due on a weekend or State holiday, and if a system failure occurs, no penalties are assessed if the renewal is postmarked by the next work date.
• Our Telephone Service Center can assist with general DMV information at 800-777-0133.
•  DMV’s Interactive Voice Response System at 800-777-0133 is also available for registration renewals
• Vehicle registration transactions can be completed by using DMV’s Self Service Terminals at selected field offices.
• If our system is down for 24 hours or more, to avoid paying penalties on your vehicle registration you can prepare a Statement of Facts (REG 256) or send in a letter explaining why you were late and the penalty will be waived. Then mail the registration renewal form, payment, REG 256 or letter in the envelope that was provided.

If you need your business done that day, and a Field Office visit is absolutely necessary, booking an Appointment has never been easier. DMV is modifying it’s appointment system to accommodate same day appointments.  This feature will be available on August 1, 2012. Remember, showing up without an appointment can cause your visit to be longer than you expected. Plan in advance and schedule an appointment! You’ll be glad you did.

How to Apply for Disabled Person Placards and Plates

Are you or a family member in need of a temporary Disabled Person (DP) Parking Placard or license plate? If so, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is at your service. Eligible California residents with short term or long term disabilities may apply for DP placards or plates by completing an Application for Disabled Person Placard or Plate (REG 195) and submitting the appropriate fees (if applicable) by mail or in person at a local DMV field office. The Medical Certification section of the REG 195 may not be required only for the following reasons:

1) A lower extremity or both hands have been lost and you appear in person at a local DMV office
2) You currently have a permanent Disabled Person or Disabled Veteran license plate assigned to your vehicle.

CLICK HERE to obtain an Application for Disabled Person Placard or Plates (REG 195) or visit http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/fast_facts/ffvr07.htm for more information about DP Parking Placards and DP License Plates.

DMV Social Media Pilot Program Results

For the past several months, DMV piloted the use of social media (primarily Twitter) as a means to distribute information, educate the public and provide customer service to the online community.  The purpose of the program was to establish a business case for and assess the benefit of fully utilizing social networking sites to enhance customer service and open additional communication channels by adapting to customer needs.  During the pilot, the Social Media Team engaged the public, monitored online conversation, and documented every interaction through Twitter. 

Prior to the pilot, the Department used social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook to distribute news and updates to the general public on DMV related matters.  While the use of such sites was limited to only delivering information, DMV’s online social media presence was perceived as one way communication.  Through the pilot the Department began to respond to customers on Twitter and document all activities to gauge the beneficial value of using Twitter as a means of two way communication and customer service.  The pilot allowed the Department to become more transparent and receptive to the online community, removing communication barriers with social network users and broadening opportunities to change consumer sentiment towards DMV.

The increase in Twitter activity since the beginning of the pilot is summarized below:

Through interactions and delivering educational content, followers of the DMV Twitter account grew by an average of 7% each month, and increased the total following from the start of the program by 80%.  This progressive growth in following is a result of users recognizing that DMV provides assistance through Twitter and there is a personal benefit from following DMV.  This increase in following is also an outcome of increased retweets.  As more customers are finding beneficial value in the content DMV tweets out, customers retweet those same messages to share them with their following, which spreads the word about DMV on Twitter.  Since the first month of the pilot, the retweeting of DMV content grew dramatically. In December 2010, the final month of the pilot, Twitter users retweeted a DMV message 357 times which was a 351% increase compared to retweets in July. 

In addition, Twitter users are mentioning California DMV more frequently than before.  In July 2010, the community mentioned the DMV name 504 times and by December 2010, DMV experienced the most mentions at 1,390 mentions in one month.  By searching Twitter conversations online using Twitter search tools, DMV can monitor and look for emerging problems and elevate issues to the appropriate sources for mitigation.  Since July 2010, the @CA_DMV mentions also increased by 282% and have made an extremely positive impact to customers by changing their sentiment towards DMV.  Finally, DMV tweet exposure has also progressively increased.  DMV now reaches an average of 7,443 users per tweet sent, which is an increase of 146% since the start of the pilot. 

As DMV progresses into the year, we anticipate the Twitter program will continue to grow.  Reaching out to the community and being reachable through new means of communication will be a primary focus for the future.  It is a pleasure to serve the community through new communication channels and we continue to look forward to your comments and inquiries.  If you have any questions about this pilot project or any DMV related issues, please do not hesitate to tweet us @CA_DMV.  We look forward to talking to you!

DMV Now Android Application

Last year DMV released “DMV NOW” for the iPhone.  This year Android users will also have access to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) information and services at their fingertips.  We’ve launched “DMV NOW” for the Android.  This application will give Android users a host of features including the ability to find a local office with its actual wait time, provide turn-by-turn directions based on the GPS location of the Android Smartphone, take sample written driving tests, access a large library of DMV driver education videos and access other important DMV alerts via Facebook, Twitter and the DMV Blog.  With DMV’s ongoing commitment to safe driving, we have introduced a brand new feature — “Safe Chat”– where users will be able to set an option that will auto reply to incoming text messages while they are driving.  The users can also customize a short response of their choice and can set the text to speech option to hear incoming text messages.  The Android application is free and may be downloaded to any Android smart phone via the Android Market.

Check out the DMV Now Android video or click here to learn more about the new application and download for free today!

Message From Director George Valverde

George Valverde Director

Welcome to the California Department of Motor Vehicles! Whether you are a first-time visitor, or a returning customer, you will find the DMV website full of information and resources available at your fingertips.

We view California’s 38 million residents as either current or future customers, who today live in a mobile, global and knowledge-based environment. That is why our mission is to serve the public by providing quality licensing and motor vehicle-related services throughout California. Two of our strategic goals – Service and Workforce – speak to the emphasis that we place on providing quality customer service and continually enhancing the skills and professionalism of our workforce.

Our vision is to be a recognized and trusted leader in public service. This vision speaks directly to what we have accomplished and what we hope to achieve in the future. California DMV is a thought-leader on the national stage when it comes to advanced business practices and offering online and alternative service options to our customers. We are always looking for ways to demonstrate our leadership role and exceed our customers’ expectations.

The Department of Motor Vehicles website provides a wide range of services, such as:

More than 20 online services designed for you to conduct business with us on your time, at your convenience;

The California Driver Handbook (PDF) and Commercial Driver Handbook (PDF), to help you brush up for your drive test;

Educational resources and helpful tips on DMV YouTube;

Pertinent information toward maintaining driving independence for Senior Drivers;

DMV announcements and programs in the DMV Media Center;

The Car Buyer Bill of Rights, which helps you understand your rights if you are about to purchase a vehicle.

We believe that the cornerstone of high-quality customer service is a well-qualified staff which works to serve more than 30 million Californians annually.

There is a wealth of expertise and resources within DMV for virtually all current and future drivers, and I invite you to seek our services. In addition to serving the public, we also provide news and other information on recent developments, new and innovative services, and trends. To learn more, I encourage you to visit us on Facebook, Twitter, or my periodic Director’s Corner.

Sincerely,

GEORGE VALVERDE

Director