[Lincolnparkdc] RE continuing questions on document renewals and DC Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) operations now and as we move forward

[Diana Quinn]

Hi Steve,
Maybe you can point out to the mayor's office that instituting an online
appointments only system IS NOT WORKING.
Here's my example: My driver's license expires on my birthday,
September 5.  I will be out of town Sept. 5.  I  can't renew my license
online; I must go in person to renew my license so that it is a REAL ID
license
But there evidently is no way to do that before I leave town (driving) in
fewer than two weeks. That is a probem.
I made an appointment at the SW office for September 2, but it was
disappeared yesterday, and I was told to reschedule. Trying to get on the
DMV website today has been a nightmare, and
there is no evidence that the city will get its act together to make the
online appointments system work.
I think I'd have better luck camping outside a DMV office than doing this
online thing; what is to keep the city from canceling whatever appointment
I might be able to get today, if the servers are back up? Nothing.
dq

***This is the meaningless response I just now (3am) got  when I tried to
make an appointment at the Georgetown office. How funny (not):

   - The booking couldn't be completed. If no additional error messages are
   displayed, please contact us by phone or email for help or try to create a
   new booking.
   - You have already reached the maximum number of appointments.


On Fri, Jun 19, 2020 at 3:07 AM Diana Quinn <dqquinn at gmail.com> wrote:

> Maybe you can point out to the mayor's office that instituting an online
> appointments only system IS NOT WORKING.
> Here's my example: My driver's license expires on my birthday,
> September 5.  I will be out of town Sept. 5.  I  can't renew my license
> online; I must go in person to renew my license so that it is a REAL ID
> license
> But there evidently is no way to do that before I leave town (driving) in
> fewer than two weeks. That is a probem.
> I made an appointment at the SW office for September 2, but it was
> disappeared yesterday, and I was told to reschedule. Trying to get on the
> DMV website today has been a nightmare, and
> there is no evidence that the city will get its act together to make the
> online appointments system work.
> I think I'd have better luck camping outside a DMV office than doing this
> online thing; what is to keep the city from canceling whatever appointment
> I might be able to get today, if the servers are back up? Nothing.
> dq
>
>
> On Thu, Jun 18, 2020 at 10:54 PM Holtzman, Steve (SMD 6B05) <
> 6B05 at anc.dc.gov> wrote:
>
>> Neighbors,
>>
>> There have been continuing questions regarding DMV's policies regarding
>> documents (drivers licenses, tags, inspections,etc.) which are due to
>> expire or which have already expired during the period of the Public Health
>> Emergency. And some are still receiving reminder notices of upcoming
>> renewals of various documents which, given the Public Health Emergency
>> provisions is admittedly a little confusing.
>>
>> Given the fact that, DC has been in some form of lockdown for over three
>> months, the number of residents who have some necessity of applying for or
>> renewing some form of document has increased and so the relevance of
>> understanding DMV's approach has become significant for more and more
>> people.
>>
>> Despite several attempts to get a focused answer, the only clarification
>> I can offer is what DMV itself has posted on it's website. Note that they
>> may have been listening to some degree, because the guidance on their
>> website seems to have recently been expanded somewhat.
>>
>> https://dmv.dc.gov/node/1479901
>>
>> There have, for example, been some question regarding cancellation by DMV
>> of appointments set previously by residents for document renewals at the
>> DMV's only open service center. DMV notes that *the Southwest Service
>> Center is open on an "appointment only" basis, but only for these three
>> functions :*
>>
>>    - First Time License and REAL ID Conversions;
>>    - First Time Title and Registrations (no renewals);
>>    - Knowledge Testing (for drivers licenses)
>>
>> The short answer to all renewal questions (which I've shared before with
>> some in individual correspondance) is that any licenses,tags or
>> inspections, even if they've expired at some time since March, are still
>> valid and will be until DMV announces otherwise/resumes full normal
>> operations. At that point, you will have 45 days to complete whatever
>> renewal you had pending. Your documents will remain valid during that 45
>> days as well.
>>
>>  My suggestion is that, anyone who wants an added level of comfort,
>> particularly if they intend to travel, should print out the notice on the
>> DMV site (see link above) which validates this and take a paper or digital
>> copy with them.
>>
>> DMV continues to note that all licenses,tags,inspections which expire(ed)
>> at any time during the Public Health Emergency *are automatically
>> renewed until 45 days after the Emergency is lifted*. However, it also
>> now explicitly says that its current operating stance is through PHASE ONE
>> of the District's reopening plan.
>>
>> *Assuming, as is likely, that DC moves to PHASE TWO* *at some point next
>> week*, everyone will have to check back to see what changes DMV may have
>> made to its opening status and which services it will offer. If they
>> announce that they are expanding their available service to include
>> resumption of  normal license renewals, age-related renewals, vehicle tags,
>> vehicle inspections, etc. then your expired documents will still be valid,
>> as is, for 45 days (i.e., you will have until early August to get them
>> renewed).
>>
>> The DMV website currently says "All driver licenses, vehicle
>> registrations, and vehicle inspections scheduled to expire have been
>> granted a waiver without penalty until DC DMV reopens at full operating
>> capacity." However, they also note the following:"*The appointment
>> scheduling system is currently undergoing maintenance to allow DC DMV to
>> set-up the necessary appointments for Phase Two. The system will be back
>> online by 12 pm (noon) on Friday, June 19, 2020."which does suggest t**hat
>> they are likely to resume something close to normal operations during Phase
>> Two.*
>>
>> So, hopefully, if all concerned check back on the DMV site early next
>> week, next steps will be spelled out and straightforward.
>>
>> Given the number of residents here and elsewhere that are invariably
>> waiting to do something which requires interaction with DMV, I have made a
>> point of flagging this to the Mayor's office in the hopes that her
>> anticipated statement/Order/guidance next week will include some specific
>> reiteration reinforcing the clarity on the 45 day extensions and  how to
>> approach DMV document applications/renewal in the transition.
>>
>>
>> best,
>>
>>  Steve
>>
>> Steve Holtzman, 6B05
>>
>> For the latest information on the District Government’s response to
>> COVID-19 (Coronavirus), please visit coronavirus.dc.gov.
>>
>
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