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Tuesday, August 18, 2015

HOT TOPICS:

▪ DMV reopens after a weeklong closure

▪ New York DMV goes high tech to crack down on license fraud

▪ Nevada DMV offers movement permits online

Stories on…

DMV reopens after

a weeklong closure

FOX CT

DMV reopens after a week long closure

Posted 7:32 AM, August 18, 2015, by Angelica Spanos

WETHERSFIELD – People got in line early Tuesday morning, waiting to get in to the Department of Motor Vehicles after a week long closure.

The line formed early, but DMV employees passed out flyers with instructions as to what services were available online. Some people were able to leave and not wait for the office to open at 7:45 a.m.

Officials are also expecting there will be delays at the counter as employees become familiar with the new system.

The software upgrade required the entire system to shutdown all of last week, so the DMV expects double the volume of people at branches this week.

That’s why the DMV is urging everyone that if they can handle motor vehicle business at home, then stay at home. The upgrade offers more online features to help people avoid standing in line.

“You will be able to reprint registration certificates from home or any computer you have, you will be able to cancel your registration online,” DMV Commissioner Andres Ayala, Jr. said. “You will be able to order specialty plates such as vanity plates.”

The DMV can also reissue damaged plates through its website, and drivers can renew their registration through a new and improved online program, as well as check to see if they have any delinquent payments on parking fines or unpaid property taxes.

The DMV is also offering a 60-day extension until October 10 to renew all expiring driver’s licenses, ID cards and registrations.

NBC Connecticut

Long Lines as DMV Reopens Today

By Staff Reports

Updated 2 hours ago

After being closed for a week for computer upgrades, the Department of Motor Vehicles will reopen today, but be prepared for long lines in the morning.

The $25 million project to modernize its 50-year-old computer system was scheduled to be finished on Tuesday, but it was completed early and offices will reopen Aug. 18.

“I want to urge anyone who really doesn’t need to be at DMV to wait a week or two before coming in. Waits could be several hours,” DMV Commissioner Andres Ayala Jr. said in a statement.

The DMV in Hamden was already at capacity at 7:53 a.m. on Tuesday. So many people showed up that employees had to stop letting people in. The long line stretched into the parking lot.

Long waits have been routine in other states where DMV offices upgraded computer systems.

The registration database was updated during the upgrade.

The modernization project, which started in 2009, involves 14 million vehicle and customer records and the rewriting of more than 40-million lines of computer code. The DMV is putting more services online, including improving the online registration renewal program.

You will be able to check online for property tax payment status, insurance, and delinquent parking violations, which can hold up a registration renewal and cause repeat trips to DMV.

You will be able to reprints of registration certificates from home or other computers, cancel your registration online and ordering of special plates or replacements for damaged plates.

If your driver’s license or car registration expires before the DMV reopens Tuesday, officials said you’ll be able to renew it until Oct. 10 without paying a late fee. Additionally, licensing services will continue to be available at all DMV offices and select AAA offices during the closure.

Published 4 hours ago

WTNH

DMV: Stay away, long lines expected Tuesday

By Mark Davis, News 8 Chief Capitol Correspondent

Published: August 17, 2015, 5:46 pm | Updated: August 18, 2015, 6:21 am

WETHERSFIELD, Conn. (WTNH)–Stay away! That’s the word from the head of the DMV, as the agency plans to reopen Tuesday after a week long shutdown to install a new computer system.

The DMV commissioner says the ‘learning curve’ is expected to be slow and long lines and waiting for hours to get things done is expected. They’re warning that when this was done in other states wait times in the hours was not unusual.

Officials at the DMV are crossing their fingers and hoping for the best when offices across the state re-open Tuesday morning at 7:45 AM. Commissioner Andres Ayala today issuing this plea, “I strongly urge people to avoid coming to the DMV for a few weeks unless they really need to do it.

The new on line computer system was completed over the weekend and since Saturday night more than five hundred people have successfully renewed or terminated a registration, ordered a special plate, or reprinted a registration.

These are some of the new services you can now do on line yourself including checking to see if you have an outstanding parking ticket or other infraction.

But they know that Tuesday could turn into a nightmare when full service resumes at all offices. Says Ayala, “There’s going to be a learning curve for everyone, staff and the public as a new system is put into place and real time use is available.”

That’s why the agency is reminding everyone that registrations and drivers licenses scheduled to expire this week have all been extended until October 10th to accomodate the big transition. Added Ayala, “The lines are expected to be very long and waits could be several hours. Long waits have been the routine at other states wherever officials have upgraded their

computer systems.”

The DMV is planning to have greeters, llke at Walmart ,at all offices equipped with Ipads so they can help you tomorrow and during this entire transition.

New Haven Register

Long lines, major delays expected as Connecticut DMV offices reopen

By Wes Duplantier, New Haven Register

Posted: 08/18/15, 8:44 AM EDT | Updated: 58 secs ago

HAMDEN >> The head of Connecticut’s Department of Motor Vehicles is warning of major delays and urged people to stay away from the agency’s branch offices as they reopen Tuesday morning following a major computer upgrade.

Commissioner Andres Ayala Jr. said long lines and hours-long delays are possible at the agencies branch offices, including those in Hamden, Winsted and Old Saybrook.

“I strongly urge people to avoid coming to the DMV for a few weeks unless they really need to do it,” he said in a briefing at the agency’s headquarters Monday in Wethersfield. “There’s no real need to rush in.”

Instead, he said people should take advantage of a 60-day extension on the expiration of driver’s licenses, identification cards and vehicle registrations, which has been granted through Oct. 10. Renewals can be done without a late fee until that date.

(Are you heading to a DMV office or using the new online system Tuesday? If so, share your experience by tweeting @breaking203 or emailing wduplantier@)

In an effort to alleviate delays, Ayala said the agency will have extra staff at its offices starting Tuesday, walking through lines and helping people figure out if they really need to be at the office this week or if they can postpone their business until lines are shorter.

DMV offices were shut down for the past week as the agency reworked its computer system to expand the number of services offered through its website. The new online services include an expanded registration renewal program, registration cancelations and reprints, ordering of special plates and replacements and online checks for unpaid items such as property taxes or tickets.

(On a mobile device? Watch Commissioner Ayala speak about DMV’s rollout of a new computer system)

The agency finished the upgrade ahead of schedule over the weekend and Ayala said Monday it had already done nearly 600 transactions online using the new system.

He said it is ultimately expected to save time for DMV workers and the state’s 2.6 million drivers but he said some delays are inevitable as everyone adjusts to the new system.

“There’s going to be a learning curve for everyone, staff and the public, as the new system is put into place and real-time use is available,” he said.

Ayala and DMV Project Manager Nancy Dumais said the agency has done extensive testing with the state’s car dealerships to make sure they are able to put through vehicle registrations on the new system. Dumais said there were no major problems with that testing.

The computer upgrade did not affect the agency’s licensing functions but the DMV recommended people go to AAA offices in the state where lines might be shorter.

Ayala said agency workers will be sending people to AAA offices to try and ease congestion at the DMV’s offices but he repeatedly asked people to check the website, saying long delays have been the norm in other states where similar upgrades have been done.

“If you can go online before coming to DMV, please do so,” he said.

The DMV said it would provide an update on delays at the offices later Tuesday.

WFSB

Lines greet DMV visitors as it reopens with new computer system

Posted: Aug 18, 2015 7:54 AM EDT

Updated: Aug 18, 2015 7:59 AM EDT

By Rob Polansky

WETHERSFIELD, CT (WFSB) - The Department of Motor Vehicles reopened its offices on Tuesday after a massive computer system overhaul.

DMV offices across the state had been closed since last weekend while the upgrades were put in place.

Lines at the Wethersfield location stretched from the front door down one of its sidewalks.

DMV Commissioner Andres Ayala, Jr. advised people that longer lines were expected when the doors opened at 7:45 a.m.

"I want to urge anyone who really doesn't need to be at DMV to wait a week or two before coming in,” he said. “Waits could be several hours.

Ayala noted that the long waits have been routine in other states whose DMV offices upgraded computer systems.

The reopening follows a week-long closure which, except for licensing, allowed the DMV to launch its new system. The system includes more online services that are available on computers, tablets and smartphones.

Ayala said they should provide another way for drivers to connect with the DMV to reduce waiting lines in the future.

"We think this upgrade has gone exceptionally well,” he said. “We want to thank the public for its patience. We are excited about offering the new online services that can help them avoid coming to a DMV office.”

Because of the shutdown, Gov. Dannel Malloy ordered that the expiration date of all driver’s licenses, ID cards or vehicle registrations as of Aug. 11 be extended through Oct. 10. Renewals can also be done without a fee until that date.

The new online services include:

● Improved online registration renewal program.

● Online checks for items, such as unpaid property taxes, lack of insurance, delinquent parking violations, which can hold up a registration renewal and cause repeat trips to DMV.

● Reprints of registration certificates from home or other computers.

● Registration cancellations online.

● Online ordering of special plates, such as vanity plates.

● Online ordering of replacements for damaged plates.

● Electronic notification by providing customers with an option for DMV to contact them either by mail or e-mail.

● Streamline efficiency of technology in the agency to with services in branch offices

The Day

Long lines expected as DMV offices reopen, AAA to help alleviate them

Published August 17. 2015 8:43PM Updated August 17. 2015 9:18PM

By Lindsay Boyle

State Department of Motor Vehicles locations are reopening for full service Tuesday after dropping down to only licensing services on Aug. 11, and lines are expected to be long.

That's because use of the department's new computer system, which will work in conjunction with a host of new online services, could take longer than normal for at least a week as employees and the public adjust.

"If you don't have to be here next week, then people should stay away for at least a week, perhaps longer," said state DMV Commissioner Andres Ayala Jr. in a news release issued on Saturday.

For those who do need typical DMV services, customers have some options other than heading straight to a DMV office, including going onto the DMV's website or visiting a AAA office. The new online services, which went live Saturday, include special and replacement plate ordering, an improved registration renewal program and the ability to check for items such as unpaid property taxes, lack of insurance and delinquent parking violations.

All people who have vehicle registrations, driver's licenses or ID cards that expire between Aug. 11 and Oct. 10 have until Oct. 10 to renew and will not be hit with a late fee until after that date.

For those who need to renew verified or regular driver's licenses or state ID cards, state AAA offices can help both members and non-members. AAA also can replace lost driver's licenses, ID cards and learner's permits. It does not provide brand-new licenses, ID cards or learner's permits.

At the Waterford AAA location — with the other local office in Old Saybrook — business on Monday was typical. For the most part, customers came in for run-of-the-mill things: reloading prepaid Visa cards, renewing licenses, getting maps and learning about towing policies and travel plans, according to AAA Allied Group Public Affairs Manager Amy Parmenter.

But, with the DMV's reopening Tuesday, Parmenter said that likely will change.

Aware that locations won't be able to handle their usual capacity of clients, the DMV has instituted "line-walkers" who will ask whether drivers need to be at the DMV. If the answer is "yes," the walkers may refer those in line to a AAA location.

Parmenter said AAA, having learned from long lines caused by the switchover to verified driver's licenses that began in 2011, has taken some measures to prepare for the coming week or weeks.

She explained that workers at all AAA locations are aware of their hourly capacity. In some cases, if there are more people in line than can be helped in a set amount of time, they may be given tickets and allowed to return at a later time, Parmenter said.

Parmenter said all AAA locations will be communicating with one another regularly, too. When it is applicable, customers in a long line may be referred to another location that has fewer people waiting.

"Our goal is always to meet the needs of those who walk through our doors," Parmenter said. "With that in mind, we have been gearing up for an increase in foot traffic and readying all our locations to serve and support our DMV customers through this transition and beyond."

She noted that AAA offices, open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, have more extensive hours than DMV locations.

Residents who need DMV services can check branches' wait times online at dmv. The nearest DMV locations are a hub office in Old Saybrook and a limited-service one in Norwich.

The multi-phase $25 million project, which included rewriting more than 40 million lines of computer code, upgraded a computer system that was 50 years old, according to the DMV. It involved about 14 million vehicle and customer records from several DMV databases.

Story on…

New York DMV goes high tech to crack down on license fraud

CBS Local

DMV Goes High Tech To Crack Down On License Fraud

August 17, 2015 9:19 PM

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — The Department of Motor Vehicles is going high tech to crack down on license fraud.

New York and New Jersey are the first states using facial recognition software to bust illegal drivers at the DMV.

CBS 2’s Jessica Schneider says it’s key technological tool used by law enforcement.

And it’s the premise of the CBS show “Person Of Interest.”

The government is using facial recognition software to track people and lock up criminals.

Just this year, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol launched facial recognition to catch impostors using passports that aren’t theirs. And it’s been used by the Department of Motor Vehicles throughout New York State since 2010.

But now, New York’s DMV has partnered up with New Jersey to cross-check people who have driver’s licenses in both states — a practice which is illegal.

And many people who have these multiple licenses are double dipping because their license in one state is suspended — so they cross state lines, to get another one.

Three men were just busted for having a NY and NJ license — they had different names on each license and in all three cases, the men obtained commercial driver’s licenses in one state, while their other license was suspended.

They were finally found out when the DMV checked their photos across NY and NJ facial recognition databases — and saw their pictures on both licenses were the same.

Security expert Manny Gomez uses the same technology in his work as a security consultant. His investigators use it to track people and soon, he says police will use it to ID suspects in surveillance videos.

As he says, no matter how hard you might try — faces don’t lie.

“Facial recognition there’s no way around it,” Gomez said. “Through plastic surgery you try to change your face, it will still try to pick up those 80 or so nodals that will detect who you are. Once it’s stored in a database everyone will know who that is.”

NY State’s DMV has already used facial recognition software to help authorities make 3,500 arrests. Now that NY is partnering with NJ, officials say dozens of more arrests are pending.

New York and New Jersey are the first two states in the country to share motor vehicle photos to combat identity theft and fraud.

Story on…

Nevada DMV offers movement permits online

KTVN

Nevada DMV Offers Movement Permits Online

Posted: Aug 17, 2015 4:21 PM EDT

Updated: Aug 17, 2015 4:21 PM EDT

From the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles:

Nevada motorists who need a temporary vehicle movement permit will benefit from a new online service launched by the Nevada DMV today.

The Department of Motor Vehicles now offers ten-day movement permits through its MyDMV online portal. Permits can be printed by the owner of any vehicle that is already in the DMV system and has a registration that is active or has been expired for less than 18 months. The cost is $2.00. Permits are taped in the lower right-hand corner of the windshield.

Typically, ten-day movement permits are issued to motorists whose registration has expired but who need to drive the vehicle for an emissions test or repairs. Vehicles in storage may also need to be driven for an emissions test or maintenance. In both cases, motorists could avoid a DMV office visit altogether as they can also renew the registration online once the smog check or repairs are completed.

The department issues more than 235,000 movement permits each year of various lengths. Only ten-day permits will be offered through MyDMV, but thousands of motorists are eligible for the new service.

Motorists who purchased a vehicle from a private party or those who need other types of permits must still visit a DMV office.

Launched in 2013, the MyDMV online portal enables motorists to see all of their driver’s and vehicle records through one account. More than

476,000 Nevadans have signed up and completed more than one million transactions. Visit the department’s website at .

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Department of Motor Vehicles

60 State Street

Wethersfield, CT. 06161

Corporate and Public Relations

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