MVD

MVD wait times easier to find on improved ADOT website

MVD wait times easier to find on improved ADOT website

I-17 101 traffic interchange

MVD wait times easier to find on improved ADOT website

MVD wait times easier to find on improved ADOT website

September 9, 2019

PHOENIX – Recent improvements to the Arizona Department of Transportation website mean Motor Vehicle Division customers now have more information about wait times, office operating hours, service changes and other important items available to them online.

Technological advances introduced earlier this month at azdot.gov include changes to the Motor Vehicle Division Hours and Locations page.

Customers who visit this page will see each office listed alphabetically by city or town. Each office has a display listing the location’s normal operating hours, the current estimated wait time, the number of people currently waiting, information about the latest times to arrive for services such as road tests and vehicle inspections, scheduled service changes and other information as needed.

“This is a more complete and customer-friendly way to showcase the status of each office in real time,” said MVD Stakeholder Relations Manager Jennifer Bowser Richards. “Using the principles of the Arizona Management System, we’re always striving to make it as convenient as possible for our customers to do business at our offices. These website changes, which are fully optimized for smart devices, help us accomplish our vision to get Arizona out of line and safely on the road.”

For more information: azdot.gov/mvd.

MVD is a proud partner of Donor Network of Arizona

MVD is a proud partner of Donor Network of Arizona

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MVD is a proud partner of Donor Network of Arizona

MVD is a proud partner of Donor Network of Arizona

By Doug Nick / ADOT Communications
September 6, 2019

Did you know that nearly four million Arizonans have signed up to be organ or tissue donors through Donor Network of Arizona?

That’s an incredible number, and if you’re on of those people, thank you. Organ and tissue donations change, and in many cases, save lives. You can see that in this 2015 video about one such organ donor, Michael Choppi.

The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division has been a partner with the Donor Network of Arizona for many years, and we couldn’t be more proud of what that partnership has accomplished. In fact, last month was ADOT MVD Saves Lives Month, and this is probably our most important partnership.

One of the newer changes we’ve made to encourage people to sign up as a donor when renewing their vehicle registration. Arizona has a unique time frame for renewing a license or ID. Your credential is good until you reach the age of 65, so we see a lot fewer people for this service than other states. But your registration is a different story. You usually have a choice between an annual renewal, two years or even five years. Obviously, that increases the opportunities to interest people in donation. So in 2017, MVD added a donor registration question to the renewal process and registrations increased by about 20 percent.

We talk a lot about some of the innovative ways MVD has improved customer service. Those are great changes, but they pale in comparison to helping Arizonans change and save lives. We hope you’ll thoughtfully consider becoming an organ and tissue donor.

eTitle part of MVD blazing trail for better, quicker service

eTitle part of MVD blazing trail for better, quicker service

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eTitle part of MVD blazing trail for better, quicker service

eTitle part of MVD blazing trail for better, quicker service

By Doug Nick / ADOT Communications
August 21, 2019

We’ve been sitting around the campfire here at the ol’ ADOT ranch, and while we sometimes argue about sports, politics and whether unicorns are real, we did agree on one thing: This Internet business seems to have a future.

We hope you aren’t surprised …

With that in mind, we did discover a sort of unicorn in this digital age, except this one’s real: Did you know that a lot of vehicle titles can be transferred online?

It’s true. We call it eTitle. It’s simple to use and it’s free.

All you need to do is go to azmvdnow.gov, set up your own personal AZ MVD Now account and go from there. You can buy or sell a vehicle with another private party and transfer the title online. No MVD office visit is needed.

Because AZ MVD Now is a personal account with multi-factor authorization, your title is more secure than the old paper method. Eventually, all titles will be done this way, much like you pay bills or do shopping online.

Right now eTitle is limited to one-owner to one-owner sales of Arizona-registered vehicles, but it’s a start. Actually, it’s a very good start.

So good, in fact, ADOT’s Motor Vehicle Division just won the “Trailblazer Award” from the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA).

Here’s what the AAMVA award says: “eTitle is a groundbreaking program established by the Arizona Department of Transportation MVD to move the title transfer process from paper to electronic. Consumers are able to electronically complete the title transfer process without going to an MVD office. Besides the consumer component, the program has elements that provide significant time and cost savings for automobile dealers and towing companies. The electronic title transfer process also helps eliminate fraud that can be conducted with paper titles. Arizona Motor Vehicle Division’s innovative eTitle program provides for much more efficient operations that not only saves the agency time and money, but also allows for a smoother customer service experience.”

MVD is not only getting Arizona out of line and safely on the road, it’s blazing trails to do it.

MVD is hitting the road thanks to a new mobile office

MVD is hitting the road thanks to a new mobile office

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MVD is hitting the road thanks to a new mobile office

MVD is hitting the road thanks to a new mobile office

By Doug Nick / ADOT Communications
August 14, 2019

You’ve probably heard of the Motor Vehicle Division. It’s the group of fun-lovin’ people who take your driver license photo, process a complex title transaction and a whole bunch of other really important things you need to get out of line and safely on the road.

Well now, the Motor Vehicle Division is really taking the “motor vehicle” part literally and getting itself on the road.

You might say how? And we’ll pause to allow you time to say that.

 

Thanks.

Now that we’ve been asked, we’re happy to tell you about the Mobile MVD office. Yep, MVD is hitting the road.

Earlier this year, MVD took possession of an RV that another ADOT division no longer needed and fitted it out with five service counters and a photo station so that most MVD services except for written and road tests could be offered. Oh, and it got a cool new paint job too.

In fact, there are several places around Arizona that have already seen this new office in their communities. That’s because with an ongoing training program that requires us to shut down an office for a week at a time, there are some areas that have been served by this mobile office to fill the gaps.

The office got a real test when a pipe burst at the Prescott MVD recently and had to shut down unexpectedly. So with very little prep time, the Mobile RV rushed to the pines and made sure services were available.

It’s a pretty cool thing. The technology allows customers to sit at a work station and have a live interactive video session with a service representative located either in Phoenix or Tucson. Mobile office personnel can assist customers and keep things running smoothly.

Of course, the office can’t replace a large MVD location, so things might take a little longer and we suggest that people might use it for urgent services.

But no matter what your MVD needs are, this office expands the ways we can do business and reach Arizonans more conveniently by putting the motor(home) in MVD.

Charitable causes see record proceeds from specialty plate sales

Charitable causes see record proceeds from specialty plate sales

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Charitable causes see record proceeds from specialty plate sales

Charitable causes see record proceeds from specialty plate sales

July 10, 2019

PHOENIX – Specialty license plates each have a unique look, but one thing they all have in common is the ability to raise a record amount of money for Arizona charitable causes.

In Fiscal Year 2019, which concluded June 30, a total of just over $11.2 million were raised for endeavors ranging from support of Arizona veterans programs, Special Olympics, organ donation, hunger relief, university scholarships and many other causes.

Monies raised have steadily grown for a number of years. In FY 2015, the total was just over $8.7 million, increasing to nearly $9.4 million in FY 2016. FY 2017 saw more than $9.8 million raised followed by $10.6 million in FY 2018.

“The specialty plate program is a real point of pride for Arizona and is a tremendous success,” said Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division Director Eric Jorgensen. “Raising more than $11 million in the last Fiscal Year proves Arizonans are both generous and eager to support great causes and organizations they believe in.”

Customers who wish to select a plate can go to servicearizona.com, and once a selection is made, may click on a link for more information that outlines the cause that's supported by the plate's sale. 

Specialty plates are created by an act of the Arizona legislature, and the program, which began in 1989, is administered by the MVD. 

How about a specialty plate for that person who's impossible to shop for?

How about a specialty plate for that person who's impossible to shop for?

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How about a specialty plate for that person who's impossible to shop for?

How about a specialty plate for that person who's impossible to shop for?

December 7, 2018

Specialty License Plates

By David Woodfill / ADOT Communications

My dad is notoriously hard to shop for when it comes to birthdays and Christmas. He's retired, comfortable and feels like he has everything he needs in life. So every Christmas my siblings and I wrack our brains over what to do for him.

Once I got him a pocket flashlight that, even at just 2 inches long, shone a blinding 275 lumens. A few days later, he couldn't remember which drawer he put it in. Another year, I ordered decadent gourmet food only to find out that my mother had just put him on a strict diet and exercise regimen.

This year, I've decided to order him a specialty license plate from ADOT's Motor Vehicle Division. Few may realize it, but ServiceArizona.com offers dozens of plates supporting worthy causes, making it all but impossible to not find something that fits someone's personality. Of the $25 annual cost, $17 goes toward a designated cause that aligns with the recipient's values and passions.

You can buy someone else a specialty plate as long as you have the last two digits of the vehicle identification number, the number of the plate being replaced and the recipient's name and address.

So if you're struggling to find the right gift for someone who already has everything, forgo that singing fish and join me in considering a specialty plate.

Just don't tell my dad.

Throwback Thursday: Driver license testing

Throwback Thursday: Driver license testing

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Throwback Thursday: Driver license testing

Throwback Thursday: Driver license testing

September 6, 2018

MVD Test

By Laurie Merrill / ADOT Communications

As if the hairdos and outfits weren’t enough to date this era, driver license tests have also come a long way since this Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division photo was snapped decades ago. If, like me, you learned to drive in the days before computers, this photo of people sitting at classroom-style desks, complete with pencil holders, will look familiar.

Today, would-be licensees who take the 30-question, multiple-choice test do so at a computer using a touch screen. Audio assist is available.

In an even larger technological leap, teenagers hoping to get their learners permits are flocking to the Permit Test @ Home, a new online option that ADOT introduced earlier this year.

Some things don’t change. The way we take the tests reflects the electronic revolution, but the content still stems directly from the Arizona Driver License Manual. Serious studying is still required.

From the Director: Making transportation personal, one specialty plate at a time

From the Director: Making transportation personal, one specialty plate at a time

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From the Director: Making transportation personal, one specialty plate at a time

From the Director: Making transportation personal, one specialty plate at a time

July 20, 2018

Specialty Plates

By John Halikowski / ADOT Director

Who would have imagined offering specialty license plates by the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Motor Vehicle Division would bring more than $10 million in sales? That effort means causes like cancer research, veterans’ services, families of first responders, historic preservation, college scholarships, sports teams’ foundations – to name just a few – have another line of financial support coming their way. I would say that is “making transportation personal, one specialty plate at a time.”

The specialty plate program was established by state law in 1989 and plates are authorized by the Arizona legislature. The plates cost $25. Of that amount, $17 is committed to the benefiting organization that is sponsoring the plate. Specialty plates are available online and at MVD or Authorized Third Party offices. More information can be found at ServiceArizona.com or azdot.gov/mvd.

I am grateful for the generous support the people of Arizona have shown toward our specialty plate program. Transportation does touch lives in so many ways. That’s why I believe transportation is personal.


Director-Halikowski-headshot

This post originally appeared on ADOT Director John Halikowski's
LinkedIn page. He has led the agency since 2009.

MVD adds features to help customers get Voluntary Travel ID

MVD adds features to help customers get Voluntary Travel ID

I-17 101 traffic interchange

MVD adds features to help customers get Voluntary Travel ID

MVD adds features to help customers get Voluntary Travel ID

June 27, 2018

PHOENIX – With Oct. 1, 2020, fast approaching, the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division is adding more tools to make it easier for customers to find offices to obtain the Voluntary Travel ID.

The Voluntary Travel ID is an Arizona driver license or ID card that meets the additional identification requirements of the federal REAL ID Act of 2005. Standard Arizona licenses or ID cards do not conform to the federal REAL ID requirements because of a state law that says those steps must be taken voluntarily by the license or card holder.

Obtaining the Voluntary Travel ID requires an office visit at an MVD or Authorized Third Party location. To ease the process, MVD added a new “Voluntary Travel ID Locations and Information” online link on the “Hours and Locations” page at azdot.gov/mvd. This convenient feature directs customers to nearby offices that provide Voluntary Travel ID services. Office appointments can be made online through ServiceArizona.com.

2018-0627-tucson-northext

The October 2020 date is critical because that’s when the U.S. Transportation Security Administration will no longer accept standard Arizona driver licenses or IDs at airport security checkpoints. Fliers must have the Voluntary Travel ID or another form of federally accepted identification such as a U.S. passport.

“The Voluntary Travel ID is available at all MVD locations and 37 Third Party offices that are full-service providers,” said MVD Stakeholder Relations Manager Jennifer Bowser-Richards. “We encourage customers to make an online appointment to get the Voluntary Travel ID, and we’ve added a link to clearly show which offices provide this service.”

The cost is $25 for renewals and first-time issues. Per federal law, the credential is valid for eight years.

For a complete list of examples of identification documents and for additional information, please visit the Driver Services section under Motor Vehicles at azdot.gov.

Online learners permit testing proves hugely popular

Online learners permit testing proves hugely popular

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Online learners permit testing proves hugely popular

Online learners permit testing proves hugely popular

June 18, 2018

PHOENIX – Teenagers hoping to get their learners permit are flocking to the Permit Test @ Home, a new online test option introduced by the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division earlier this year.

About 23,000 online tests have been taken since the test’s introduction in March through May.

“To average nearly 8,000 online tests a month is phenomenal,” said MVD Stakeholder Relations Manager Jennifer Bowser-Richards. “MVD serves about 7,300 people a day at our offices, so the Permit Test @ Home effectively creates another full business day for our offices. That means fewer people in line and continued improvement of customer service as we fulfill our mission to get Arizona out of line and safely on the road.”

Since launching Permit Test @ Home an added safety message has been included in the process. Prior to taking the test, a video reminding potential teen drivers about the dangers of texting and driving is shown. The video cannot be skipped.

“Our number one priority is safety,” added Bowser-Richards. “Having thousands of teens and their parents watching this important message is a tremendous safety education tool. Parents and teenagers are having conversations about the dangers of distracted driving, which is timely because of a new state law taking effect in July that prohibits teen drivers from using a phone or smart device in a vehicle except in emergency situations. ”

The Permit Test @ Home is available to parents by setting up a free personal AZ MVD Now account, which is accessed through ServiceArizona.com. Potential drivers are still required to pass a road skills test prior to receiving a driver license, and all permit holders must drive with a licensed driver in the front seat.

For more information: www.servicearizona.com.