Connecticut DMV: Computer Problem Prompts Warning to Stay Away Wednesday

Written by CHRIS DEHNEL (Patch Staff)

WETHERSFIELD, CT - The state Department of Motor Vehicles is advising customers that they could face the possibility of longer waits Wednesday as officials work to resolve a problem with intermittent computer outages in branches statewide.

DMV officials, in an alert sent out Tuesday night, are advising customers to delay visits to offices on Wednesday if possible.

In addition, DMV online registration-related web services will be down overnight as part of the assessment of system issues, according to the alert.

“We know this is an inconvenience to our customers and we are working around the clock to resolve this matter. We also want customers who have expiring credentials to know that they will be given a grace period to get their renewals done,” DMV Commissioner Michael Bzdyra said.

The summer of 2015 was a nightmare for the DMV as a mishandled computer system upgrade brought the system to its knees and led to the resignation of then Commissioner Andres Ayala Jr.

The issue essentially stems from, "sudden outages of computer processing or a dramatic slowdown of the computer process during customer transactions.," officials said.

When these occur, there is no estimated time for the return of service, they said. The delay then ripples through to cause increased wait times for customers, officials said.

"DMV, however, remains open to serve customers, but advises that longer waits could occur," according to the alert.

The intermittent computer issues do not affect AAA offices, officials said. Residents with license or ID card renewals should visit a AAA office. Locations can be found at ct.gov/dmv/offices.

Anyone whose credential, whether license or registration, expires today or Wednesday when services may not be available for business will be valid until Thursday at midnight, officials said.

Computer technicians from DMV, the Department of Administrative Services’ Bureau of Enterprise Systems and Technology, Microsoft and the 3M Corporation, which recently upgraded DMV registration computer systems, are working to resolve the problem, officials said. There have not been any pinpointed causes for these computer system issues, officials said.

Updates will be given as necessary throughout the day Wednesday, officials said.