DMV News Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Customers May Sign Up to Get Decal Notices Via Text
DMV Expands Vehicle Registration Renewal Alert Service
RICHMOND - Virginians now have the option to receive decal renewal notices from DMV via text message rather than getting a paper reminder in the mail.
As of February 14, almost 300,000 customers have signed up to receive vehicle renewal reminders via email, phone or text message since the new automated service was launched last August, which represents a cost savings of almost $177,000. "Customers can now get renewal notices in the way they most prefer text, email or phone message," said DMV Commissioner Richard D. Holcomb. "The expansion to include text alerts provides convenience for customers while saving money."
Each piece of snail mail not processed by DMV saves 59 cents in printing, processing and postage fees. The annual cost of printing and mailing approximately 5.3 million paper renewal notices for all DMV customers is $2.4 million. Currently, 31 percent of registered vehicles are renewed online. "If only half of those online customers opt to receive an email, text or phone message for their renewal notice, the Commonwealth will save approximately $335,834 annually in printing and mailing costs," Holcomb said.
Customers sign up to receive automated renewals by creating a myDMV account at www.dmvNOW.com/myDMV. Using a personal identification number (PIN), customers check a box indicating they want to receive decal renewal notices via email, phone or text message, and they can also manage their DMV records without visiting an office.
In addition to opting for automated renewal notices, customers can conduct a variety of secure transactions with a myDMV PIN such as renewing driver's licenses or ID cards, and obtain information specific to them, such as their driving record.
