DMV News Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
DMV Aids Virginians Affected by Hurricane Sandy Service Disruption
Validity of Licenses and Decals Expiring October 29 to November 8 Extended
RICHMOND - At the direction of Governor Bob McDonnell, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles extended the validity periods of Virginia credentials with expiration dates between October 29 and November 8, 2012 to November 9, 2012. The extensions will allow customers affected by hurricane Sandy added time to renew prior to the new expiration date. The authority to extend the validity was granted by the 2012 General Assembly for such instances during which DMV is unable to process renewals due to circumstances beyond its control.
Due to the storm, state offices including DMV were closed Monday, October 29 and Tuesday, October 30, 2012. "The height of the storm blew through at a time when licenses and decals were set to expire yet Virginians were appropriately focused on the safety of their families, homes, and communities, " stated DMV Commissioner Richard D. Holcomb. "DMV offices will be extraordinarily busy this week, especially on Wednesday, October 31, the deadline for October vehicle registration renewals. To accommodate customers hindered by the storm from renewing, DMV has extended the life of the licenses and decals, and is waiving the $10 fee for late October decal renewals until Friday, November 9, 2012."
The following Virginia DMV-issued credentials with expirations between October 29 and November 8, 2012 are now valid until November 9, 2012: driver's licenses, commercial driver's licenses, hazmat endorsements, identification cards, disabled parking placards, and October registrations, including registrations under the International Registration Plan (IRP).
DMV has notified law enforcement of the extended validity periods and asked for no-enforcement action for any DMV-issued credential that expires between October 29 and November 8, 2012.
"Our thoughts are with fellow Virginians who endured great hardship as a result of the hurricane," said Holcomb. "Alleviating the pressing deadline to renew licenses and decals this week is the right thing to do."
