To Reduce Lines, CT DMV Phases In Plan To Mail Drivers' Licenses, ID Cards

Beginning Tuesday, June 13, the Department of Motor Vehicles will phase in a new program to mail driver licenses and ID cards to Connecticut residents who renew them or apply for new ones. 

No longer will a license or ID card be handed to a customer in the DMV or AAA office. Customers will be given a temporary paper card until the permanent card arrives in the mail.

The phase-in of the program will begin at the Willimantic office and continue during the next month at other DMV and AAA offices. 

“Come into DMV at least a week before your birthday, or even sooner, so that the new card arrives in your mailbox before the old one expires,” DMV Commissioner Michael Bzdyra said.

Here are key highlights of the program:

• It will reduce how long license customers spend in offices. Customers should renew at least a week or more before their birthday to allow time for the permanent card to be mailed before the old one expires. DMV issues a temporary paper card, which is a copy of the new license or ID.
• The new one should arrive in the mail within 20 days.
• Security benefits include reducing the risk of counterfeit licenses and ID cards by having tight controls over materials in a central facility that meets high-quality federal and state standards. This reduces opportunity for identity theft.
• Customers will have the opportunity for a time-saving and wait-time reducing option to “skip a trip” by renewing these credentials online one time before going to DMV again.

The program, called Central Issuance, involves mailing permanent license and ID cards from a secure facility and is required under the federal Real ID Act.

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