Online CT License Renewals Now Outpace In-Person DMV Transactions

CONNECTICUT – The number of online transactions processed by the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles now far outpaces in-person applications and renewals.

On Tuesday, Gov. Ned Lamont announced that since the DMV implemented the ability for residents to renew their licenses over the internet earlier this year, the agency processed 85,370 online renewals between the months of January and May. In comparison, the agency processed 60,377 renewals in-person at DMV branch offices during this same period, demonstrating that the choice to renew licenses online is quickly becoming the preferred method for Connecticut residents.

"With online license renewals going from zero to a service channel used by nearly 90,000 residents in a few months with little promotion shows the strong pent up demand for modern online experiences," said Josh Geballe, commissioner of the Department of Administrative Services and the state’s chief operating officer.

Other DMV services that can now be completed over the internet, like the ability to change addresses, have also seen significant uptake online, with 22,052 of those transactions having been completed online between March, when that service launched, and May. In comparison, there were 7,549 change of address requests processed in-person at DMV offices during this same period.

In total, Connecticut residents and businesses have completed 131,846 transactions over the internet with the DMV so far this year across the services recently moved online. These expanded online services include:

• License and non-driver ID renewal;
• License and non-driver ID duplicate requests;
• Change of address;
• Drive history requests;
• Vessel registration renewal;
• A commercial vehicle operators portal that serves as a one-stop-shop for CVOs; and
• A commercial driver’s license medical certificate portal that gives CDL drivers the ability to upload their medical certificates drivel to the DMV’s Driver Services Division from their mobile devices.

"In addition to all of the residents taking advantage of the new services online at the DMV, more than 268,000 over-size and over-weight permits were submitted through the new CVO web portal," Department of Transportation Deputy Commissioner Mark Rolfe said.

The DMV is just getting started online, DMV Deputy Commissioner Tony Guerrera suggested at a Tuesday afternoon news conference: "Our efforts to improve customer relations are ongoing,” said. “Customers can expect to see our list of online transactions grow throughout 2021."

Lamont said that it has been a priority of his administration to move services online so that Connecticut residents can skip in-person visits and the need to submit paper forms through the U.S. Mail.

“I know that it takes some getting used to doing these transactions online, but I want to remind Connecticut residents that even though in-person options remain available, these recently launched, expanded online services are now available, making completing transactions with the DMV a much simpler process,” Gov. Lamont said.