DMV Enacts Cost Savings Measure

ALBANY, NY (02/06/2009)(readMedia)-- Commissioner David J. Swarts of the Department of Motor Vehicles today announced that the agency has eliminated the costly statewide 1-800 telephone numbers used for contacting the DMV call centers. While the telephone numbers have changed, the call centers will continue to remain open for the motoring public.

"While the DMV realizes that the elimination of the toll-free numbers may take some time to get accustomed to, recent trends in telecommunication plans have provided many people with unlimited long-distance calls and most of our county clerks partners continue to provide DMV local numbers for their constituents," Commissioner Swarts said. "While eliminating the 1-800 numbers may be an unwelcome change for some, the cost savings to the State during these extremely difficult financial times are necessary."

On Monday, February 2, 2009, the upstate toll-free telephone number for customers to contact the DMV Call Center was eliminated. Customers in the Upstate region, primarily all areas north and west of Dutchess, Sullivan, Ulster and parts of Delaware counties, who previously dialed 1-800-CALL-DMV must now dial 518-486-9786 to reach the DMV Call Center.

On Monday, February 9, 2009, the Downstate toll-free number will be changed to a toll number. Customers in the downstate region who previously dialed 1-800 DIAL-DMV must now dial 718-477-4820 to reach the DMV Call Center. The 1-800-DIAL-DMV toll-free number served customers in the following counties: Delaware, Dutchess, Nassau, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester.

When these changes are fully integrated, the numbers 1-800-CALL-DMV and 1-800-DIAL-DMV will no longer be in service. Customers who call one of the toll-free numbers after February 2nd or February 9th will receive a recorded message directing them to call the new toll number to reach the DMV Call Center for assistance.

It is important to note that the local numbers in New York City, 212-645-5550 and 718-966-6155, will not be changed and will remain in service.

As always, customers can continue to receive assistance by utilizing the DMV web site at www.nysdmv.com. The award winning website hosts more than 30 specific transactions that can be processed online. On the web site, customers can complete registration renewals, license renewals of all types or find answers to specific questions. In addition, the public can e-mail a question directly to DMV and receive a personalized response.

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