MVD

MVD is here to help you at tax time

MVD is here to help you at tax time

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MVD is here to help you at tax time

MVD is here to help you at tax time

By Doug Nick / ADOT Communications
January 8, 2020

Happy Tax Season everyone! We know … you can hardly contain your excitement. Ah, the afterglow of the new year…

Holiday decorations come down. Beloved out-of-town family and friends return home – FINALLY! And of course, the most joyous event of all: your 2019 tax documents come in.

There are no parties, no presents, and the greeting cards would probably not be family-friendly.

We get it.

But we’re here to help. Really! In our own way, MVD can help.

If you’re like the rest of us here at ADOT ranch, you’ve probably found yourself trundling out to the garage, the carport or maybe the front yard – wherever you keep your vehicle at night – to grab the registration papers so you can copy them for your tax forms.

Yeah, that’s as much fun as pulling weeds in June.

But y’know what really IS fun? Having all that information in one place - at your fingertips, as it were.  And the good folks at the ADOT MVD have this covered.

You can print out or electronically copy all your 2019 vehicle fee and  tax information by clicking on the “Vehicle Fees/Taxes Paid 2019” link listed at www.servicearizona.com.  It’s free! It’s easy! It’s quick!

Did we mention it’s free? It is!

All vehicles, including autos, trucks, ATVs, trailers, street-legal golf carts, among others will have the information available.

Sometimes we minions at ADOT ranch are allowed to roam free and tell our friends and family about this great service. It seems like more people should know about it because everyone we see tells us this is great, and well, it is…

So try it out and if you like it (you will), tell someone and make their tax season a happy one.

OK … that may be too much, but at least a little less of a hassle. 

Changes coming to the way MVD issues plates, tabs and documents

Changes coming to the way MVD issues plates, tabs and documents

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Changes coming to the way MVD issues plates, tabs and documents

Changes coming to the way MVD issues plates, tabs and documents

December 11, 2019

The new year will usher in a new way for Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division customers to get license plates, registration tabs and many documents such as vehicle titles.

Beginning in January, customers will receive these items through the U.S. Mail and will no longer be able to obtain them at an MVD or Authorized Third Party office. Customers should make sure their address is current and complete with the U.S. Postal Service and MVD. 

“The MVD needs to be well-positioned for the growth of e-commerce,” said MVD Stakeholder Relations Manager Jennifer Bowser Richards. “Distributing items such as license plates, tabs, title work and other documents allows us to prepare for the growing demand for fulfilling customer orders through the mail as MVD continues to increase the number of services available online, anytime.”

All registration documents and license plate tabs, including those issued today at MVD self-service kiosks will be mailed. When customers renew, their record is updated instantly and a receipt will be proof of registration.

For customers getting a license plate, the change will also mean the plate number will be entered into the customer’s service file and the temporary plate issued at the office will have the same number as the permanent plate being mailed.

Customers who purchase Off-Highway Vehicle decals the same day they plan to use them at a recreational area will not receive the decal at the office, but will get a receipt that should be kept with them to prove the decals have been purchased. 

In the future, more vehicle titles will transition to an electronic process. Currently, a limited number of title transfers such as one-owner to one-owner transfers of Arizona-registered vehicles can already be done entirely online through AZ MVD Now, which is available through ServiceArizona.com.

For more information: MVD System Changes link at azdot.gov/mvd.

The vision of the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division is to “get Arizona out of line and safely on the road”. Dedicated MVD employees, Authorized Third Party providers and offering more services online help MVD achieve this vision.

Permit Test @ Home making things a bit easier for parents

Permit Test @ Home making things a bit easier for parents

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Permit Test @ Home making things a bit easier for parents

Permit Test @ Home making things a bit easier for parents

By Doug Nick / ADOT Communications
December 10, 2019

Does this sound familiar?

Teenager:  “Mom, I need to get my learner’s permit, can you take tomorrow afternoon off to take me to MVD for the test?”

Mom (to herself): “Aside from the fact that my boss will be upset and I’m two days behind on my work… sure, that sounds great.”

Mom (aloud): “Of course. Anything to help, sweetie.”

Ah, the things our parents do for us.

The rite of passage that is taking the learner’s permit test is one of those mandatory exercises parents look forward to… er, anticipate… er, dread with every fiber of their being.

Too bad it hasn’t be simplified.

But wait, it has!

Since early 2018, the Permit Test @ Home has been available for potential teen drivers to take the learner’s permit test – for real – online.

And in November, the Permit Test @ Home reached a milestone. For the first time ever, more teens are taking the online test than they are at an MVD office.

You might be tempted to say, “So what? I don’t have teenagers at home. This means nothing to me.”

But you would be mistaken.

You see, every time the Permit Test @ Home is taken, that’s one less MVD office visit for the teen and at least one parent or guardian. If they don’t have to come to an MVD office, that’s less customer traffic  and more opportunities for MVD’s employees to serve other customers.  Like you, perhaps.

The Permit Test @ Home is an innovative way to shift more MVD services securely online. A parent or guardian signs up for a free AZ MVD Now account through ServiceArizona.com and the rest is simple and free. It can be taken any time, and it encourages both parents and teens to review the rules of the road more completely. That’s a big win for safety.

The choice is obvious: taking half the day and going to an office to take a test or taking it at home with your family, your dog and your refrigerator nearby? Hmmmm…

The Permit Test @ Home. Do it for Mom.

New Flagstaff MVD location opens December 23

New Flagstaff MVD location opens December 23

I-17 101 traffic interchange

New Flagstaff MVD location opens December 23

New Flagstaff MVD location opens December 23

December 3, 2019

PHOENIX - Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division customers in the Flagstaff region will soon be able to do business in a state-of-the-art office as ADOT opens a new facility in the former Harkins Theatres building at 1959 S. Woodlands Village Blvd. on Monday, December 23.

flagstaff MVD image render

“We are thrilled to have a new home for MVD in Flagstaff,” said MVD Director Eric Jorgensen. “The previous location on Milton Road had outgrown its service capacity, was difficult to access for drivers and had a small road course, none of which was ideal. The new office is a welcome improvement and will help MVD to offer the highest level of customer service for many years.”

The new office will have 15 service windows, an expanded road test course and much larger space for customer parking.  In addition to MVD, other ADOT personnel who serve the Flagstaff region will have offices at this location.

In order to move equipment and other essential items from the current MVD location at 1851 S. Milton Rd., that office will close for the entire week of December 16 through 20. During that time, the mobile MVD unit will be parked at the Milton Rd. location to serve urgent customer needs. It will be open during normal business hours until closing at Noon on Friday, Dec. 20.

The mobile MVD office can conduct limited transactions and has no public restrooms. For a list of available transactions, please visit /motor-vehicles/driver-services/mobile-mvd-services.

Customers are encouraged to delay MVD transactions until December 23 or may visit an Authorized Third Party provider in Flagstaff or Williams, or MVD locations in Winslow or Cottonwood. For information on locations and hours, please visit www.azdot.gov/mvd.

More than two-thirds of MVD transactions can be done anytime at www.servicearizona.com.

MVD heads to the airport to promote Travel ID

MVD heads to the airport to promote Travel ID

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MVD heads to the airport to promote Travel ID

MVD heads to the airport to promote Travel ID

By Doug Nick / ADOT Communications
November 22, 2019

You probably have a neighbor who’s put up Christmas or other holiday decorations on their house well ahead of Thanksgiving. Heck, maybe you’re that neighbor.

Well, we’re not ones to judge. In fact, we may or may not have a bowl of eggnog (non-alcoholic, of course…) in the break room here at the ol’ ADOT ranch.

The point is (and we really do have one) is that the holiday travel season is upon us. To celebrate as only the ADOT Motor Vehicle Division can, we have placed some of Santa’s helpers cleverly disguised as people wearing normal business casual attire at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport Terminal 4.

As we said in an earlier news release, these folks are there during peak travel hours to help air travelers learn more about the AZ Travel ID. They answer some basic questions and can even give you a handy-dandy flyer with all sorts of helpful information.

What, you say, is the AZ Travel ID?

The AZ Travel ID meets the ID requirements that the federal government is imposing as of October 1, 2020 at all U.S. passenger airport security checkpoints.  As of that date, the federal TSA says anyone without the proper ID will not get through security, and obviously risks missing their flight.

Will your license fly? You can easily check your license and if you don’t have a gold star in the upper right hand corner, it’s NOT an AZ Travel ID.  Of course, you probably know that already because to get one, you need to visit any MVD office or select Authorized Third Party providers.

When you do that, you need to bring in several types of documents proving your ID, your Social Security number and Arizona residency. You can find a list of what you need at this website: aztravelid.com and then make an appointment at an MVD office through servicearizona.com. You can also walk right in, or visit Authorized Third Party offices that provide license services.

Now, we just told you pretty much what the good guys at Sky Harbor will tell you if you happen to see them. But if you do happen to pass by them, say “Hi” and grab a flyer so you can share it with a friend and ask, “Will your license fly?”

MVD begins Sky Harbor AZ Travel ID awareness campaign

MVD begins Sky Harbor AZ Travel ID awareness campaign

I-17 101 traffic interchange

MVD begins Sky Harbor AZ Travel ID awareness campaign

MVD begins Sky Harbor AZ Travel ID awareness campaign

November 19, 2019

PHOENIX – If you see Arizona Department of Transportation employees at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix beginning this holiday travel season, don’t be surprised. They’re raising awareness about the AZ Travel ID.

The AZ Travel ID is the driver license or ID card that meets the new federal ID requirements that the U.S. Transportation and Security Administration will impose at all airport security checkpoints beginning October 1, 2020.

During peak travel times, ADOT representatives are stationed at strategic locations in Terminal 4 to answer basic questions and to provide hand flyers that explain what the AZ Travel ID is and how to get one. The flyers outline the documents needed and encourage people to start the application process at aztravelid.com.

“Getting this vital information into the hands of flyers is crucial as the October, 2020 deadline approaches, and that’s why MVD is making this added commitment to raising awareness,” said MVD Stakeholder Relations Manager Jennifer Bowser-Richards.

She added, “The AZ Travel ID is easy to get, costs less than obtaining a Passport and is the most convenient solution for getting through airport security and not taking the risk of missing your flight when the new ID rules go into place.”

The AZ Travel ID is available at all MVD offices statewide and many Authorized Third Party offices as well. MVD appointments are encouraged, but not required, and can be made at servicearizona.com.

For more information about MVD and Authorized Third Party locations and services: azdot.gov/mvd.

MVD director does a little good with mini-Tesla donation

MVD director does a little good with mini-Tesla donation

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MVD director does a little good with mini-Tesla donation

MVD director does a little good with mini-Tesla donation

By Doug Nick / ADOT Communications
November 7, 2019

Some people like big cars, or maybe a truck.

Others prefer something sporty.

There are those who go for the small, economical vehicle.

And then there are people like ADOT Motor Vehicle Division Director Eric Jorgensen who get a vehicle that, well, might be a tad too small.

But that’s OK, because this story ends happily.

Eric does a great job running the MVD (Did we mention the average wait time at MVD is way lower now than just a few years ago? If not…) A few months ago he was at a regional motor vehicle agency conference where attendees participated in a no-cost raffle. The prize? A pint-size Tesla and U-Haul trailer.

Guess who won?

Now, Eric’s no giant but this is a kid’s car, so Eric didn’t need any convincing; the Tesla and U-Haul should find a home at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

So that’s exactly what he did, donating these great vehicles to the Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation, where it can help children in need of medical attention and their families get some joy at what is a pretty tough time in life. That's Eric on the left in this picture, standing alongside Christianna Millan from the Phoenix Children's Hospital Foundation and Joe Cook, vice president of government relations for U-Haul.

The Tesla actually operates, with working headlights and even a sound system. The trailer has a functional hitch and the two go together like peas and carrots. They were initially donated for the raffle by U-Haul, a great Arizona-based company.

The MVD vision is to “Get Arizona out of line and safely on the road.” In this case, we might modify that to “Get children on the road to recovery and safely home.”

MVD: Don’t fall for email scam

MVD: Don’t fall for email scam

I-17 101 traffic interchange

MVD: Don’t fall for email scam

MVD: Don’t fall for email scam

November 4, 2019

PHOENIX – Arizona consumers should be on the alert for a phony email scam that has been spotted in the Yuma region.

TucsonNorthetYuma-area media have reported that some area residents have received an email purportedly from the “Department of Motor Vehicles” demanding that the recipient pay for a civil traffic violation within 48 hours or face arrest.

The email is clearly a hoax for several reasons. The motor vehicle agency for Arizona is officially known as the ADOT Motor Vehicle Division, and the MVD is not a law enforcement agency. It therefore has no authority to enforce traffic violations.

“We don’t send notifications that look like traffic citations,” said MVD Stakeholder Relations Manager Jennifer Bowser-Richards. “Consumers may get emails or other communications from the MVD regarding such things as vehicle registration renewals or updates about new services we provide, but we don’t enforce traffic violations or other criminal matters. If you see an email claiming that you owe money to the MVD for a traffic violation, please report it to law enforcement.”

You don't need to be 16 to appreciate the Permit Test @ Home program

You don't need to be 16 to appreciate the Permit Test @ Home program

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You don't need to be 16 to appreciate the Permit Test @ Home program

You don't need to be 16 to appreciate the Permit Test @ Home program

By Doug Nick / ADOT Communications
October 22, 2019

If you’re not almost 16 years old, nobody else in your family is almost 16 years old and you don’t even have any friends (or enemies, for that matter) who are almost 16 years old, then why should you care about teens taking the learner’s permit test online?

It’s a fair – if lengthy – question. But the answer may surprise you.

If you ever have to visit an Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division office, the fact that we offer the online Permit Test @ Home for potential teen drivers actually does affect you.

You may ask how, and you have our permission to ask because the answer is very simple.

It’s time.

That’s because for every teenager who doesn’t have to come to an MVD office to take the permit test, that’s one fewer customer in line. Actually, it’s at least two, because mom, dad or another adult has to accompany the teen. What’s even better is that Mom, Dad or whoever doesn’t have to take the afternoon off for this task, and their absence from our locations means we have more time to serve you.

For those who need it, the online Permit Test @ Home is easy to set up. An adult activates their secure, personal account at AZ MVD Now, which is available at AZMVDNow.gov or through ServiceArizona.com.

Once there, the teen takes the test. It’s proctored by the adult, who, by the way, is usually the person sitting in the passenger seat when the new driver is learning, and who usually pays for the insurance. That’s a great incentive to make sure the test is taken fairly.

Once the test is passed, the teen and an adult do need to make one MVD office visit to get the actual permit.

This is a popular program. Each month about 7,000 teens take the Permit Test @ Home. That means about 14,000 people a month avoid one office visit. Since we serve just over 7,000 people every day, we’ve returned two business days to our system with this one innovation.

In a way, MVD has expanded the space-time continuum with the Permit Test @ Home. It’s life changing!

OK, maybe we’re a bit too excited about it. But you have to admit that it’s pretty cool, even if you’re not almost 16.

Don’t Get Grounded: AOT & ADOT MVD urge Arizonans to get AZ Travel ID

Don’t Get Grounded: AOT & ADOT MVD urge Arizonans to get AZ Travel ID

I-17 101 traffic interchange

Don’t Get Grounded: AOT & ADOT MVD urge Arizonans to get AZ Travel ID

Don’t Get Grounded: AOT & ADOT MVD urge Arizonans to get AZ Travel ID

October 1, 2019

PHOENIX –– Will your license fly? Don’t get grounded!

Governor Doug Ducey’s Office, the Arizona Department of Transportation - Motor Vehicle Division and the Arizona Office of Tourism are reminding Arizonans of the one-year countdown to new federal identification regulations that will impact whether Arizonans are allowed to board commercial airplanes.  The offices are encouraging Arizonans to get their AZ Travel IDs, which are the state driver licenses and ID cards that will be accepted at airport security after October 1, 2020.    

“October 2020 is closer than it may seem,” said MVD Director Eric Jorgensen. “Even though the calendar says there are 365 days until the new federal rules go into force, there are really only about 250 business days left before the deadline.” Starting October 1, 2020, new federal identification regulations take effect at all TSA airport checkpoints nationwide requiring all air passengers 18 and older to provide a federally-compliant ID to TSA personnel prior to boarding a flight.

He added, “We want people to experience the best possible service at MVD, and now is the best time to avoid any possible last-minute rush and get the Travel ID right away.”

The AZ Travel ID replaces the current driver's license or ID and is distinguished by a gold star in the upper right corner.

"Whether you fly once a year or once a week, getting the new AZ Travel ID is the easiest way to keep visiting the greatest destinations in Arizona and across our country,” said Arizona Office of Tourism Director Debbie Johnson. “It only took me 20 minutes to get mine, the MVD really has this process streamlined.”

To get the AZ Travel ID, customers should initiate the process at www.aztravelid.com and then make an appointment at any MVD location through www.servicearizona.com. Appointments are preferred, but not required. Select third party MVD offices are also offering Travel ID service.

Follow the 1+1+2 rule to be sure you have the correct documents:

  • Proof of identity: Valid U.S. Passport or birth certificate; AND
  • Social Security number; AND
  • Two documents proving Arizona residency: a utility bill, rental statement, etc.

The new federal regulations start Oct. 1, 2020, so all Arizonans are highly encouraged to gather the required documents and make their appointments as soon as possible.