If you walk into the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles for your long-awaited paperwork next week, you might notice a radical change: No lines.
As long waits and lines out the door of DMV offices across the country have made headlines, the Vermont DMV’s reopening of three offices hopes to avoid the problem by making all visits appointment-only.
“We know that for some of you this is not enough, and we understand that some customers have had to wait to take care of important business at the DMV,” said Wanda Minoli, commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles.
The offices in Montpelier, South Burlington and Rutland reopen Aug. 31, although appointments can be made starting Aug. 27. Appointments will be available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“We believe that this new way of serving your needs will transform how Vermont interacts with the DMV to get another step for modernization,” Minoli said.
The announcement at a press conference Tuesday comes after months of expanded online DMV operations that have allowed Vermonters to complete important paperwork. But Minoli admitted there have been delays and frustrations.
“While the backlog has been reduced significantly for common transactions, we are still averaging a three-week backlog for purchases made through private sales,” she said.
Currently, the following services are available online: License renewals, replacement licenses, registration renewals, address changes, learner permit exams, paying reinstatement fees and some commercial vehicle transactions, according to a press release.
The state also offers some services by mail and a phone line that allows people to leave a message.
