Replaces Outdated Technology Dating Back Decades
Transition Will Require Brief Shutdown of DMV Operations
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles today announced that it will be rolling out the first segment of its new, modernized technology system to give customers better and more streamlined service, and to help DMV staff serve New Yorkers more efficiently.
The rollout of the new technology is set to take place over the long Presidents Day weekend. Beginning on Friday, February 13 at 2:00 p.m., all DMV offices will close for business, and DMV online transactions and phone services will be unavailable. DMV operations, including full service in-person, online and over the phone services are expected to resume at the start of business on Wednesday, February 18. This brief interruption will allow for the new system to be implemented and tested to ensure the successful resumption of services.
“With one consolidated, state-of-the-art system, we will be replacing hundreds of software applications, some of which date back to the days of Nelson Rockefeller,” said DMV Commissioner and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee Mark J.F. Schroeder. “I truly believe it will give our staff the ability to serve New Yorkers better, faster, and more comprehensively than ever before. I and everyone at DMV are so proud of the hard work and effort that has gone into developing this new platform over the last two years. Our staff has worked tirelessly to train and prepare for this change; however, we ask for patience as we adjust to the new system in the days immediately after it launches.”
The DMV’s new modernized system will enable employees to process transactions effectively and efficiently in one secure platform rather than moving between outdated systems, further supporting the agency’s goal of one trip to an office and done. It will also bring with it additional online transactions, making it easier for New Yorkers to do what they need on their own time and from the comfort of their own homes. And it will help the agency implement future technology enhancements faster and more seamlessly.
Leading up to this implementation, for those New Yorkers whose license or non-driver ID will need to be renewed ahead of February 13, or who need to complete another transaction before that date, they are encouraged to take advantage of the more than 70 online transaction opportunities available through DMV’s website. New Yorkers can also monitor DMV’s social media channels—X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn—for updates prior to and after the agency’s system is brought back online.
In recent years, DMV has made significant changes to increase online and over-the-phone self-service options, help customers better prepare for their in-person transactions, and establish a robust in-person reservation system to reduce the amount of time customers wait to be served in an office. This February upgrade builds upon those efforts, with a second major upgrade to follow in 2028. These technology investments are part of the agency’s larger effort to streamline its operations as the agency strives to achieve its vision to shatter perceptions of the DMV.
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