Vt. DMV to reopen 3 offices for appointments

Motorists cross the Route 4 bridge at the western end of Woodstock Village. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

Vermonters who need to do in-person business with the Department of Motor Vehicles will get that opportunity soon at three locations, though access will be limited due to the pandemic. 

Offices in Rutland, Montpelier and South Burlington will be opening for appointments only, as DMV Commissioner Wanda Minoli announced on Tuesday. An online scheduling system goes live on Thursday, and appointments begin at those three locations on Monday. 

Minoli said the online appointment system is here to stay and will cut back on - and in some cases eliminate - wait times. 

"This is yet another step toward our full modernization," she said.    

Starting Monday, appointment times will begin daily at 8 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. at all three locations. DMV customers are asked to arrive 10 minutes early, and no guests are allowed unless necessary, such as a parent accompanying a minor, or a translator helping a customer. 

"We hope to learn a lot during the first days that the new scheduling system is in use," Minoli said. She added that this information will allow them to make any necessary changes and move toward offering the appointment-based service at other locations around the state.   

In other DMV news from Tuesday, Minoli said the department averages a three-week backlog for purchases made through private sales, and for the transfer of vehicle registrations.  The DMV is now finalizing another online system to meet that need, which will allow customers to receive a temporary registration and plate electronically.

Also on Tuesday, Minoli wanted to assure Vermonters that the DMV provisions of the state of emergency order remain in place. That means all license and registration renewals still hold a 90-day extension from due date. Notices for photo renewals for driver's licenses have been extended for 4 years.  

Minoli encouraged Vermonters to continue to use the many services available on the DMV website, including license and registration renewals, learner permit exams and many commercial vehicle transactions. She thanked people for their patience and understanding during this time, acknowledging the difficulties caused by having to close the local offices.

“While DMV employees have continued to work daily covering mail, online, and email requests, our goal always has been to reopen as quickly as possible with health and safety protocols in place.” 

— Gareth Henderson