Expect Longer Lines Than Usual at DMV

If your driver’s license or identification card expires late in October or afterward, you might want to avoid going to the Department of Motor Vehicles this week where longer-than-usual lines are expected due to the start up of a new identity-verification program called SelectCT ID.

Customers must choose whether they want their renewed license or ID card to be either regular/standard or identity-verified. As customers need to become familiar with requirements under the program, wait times could increase at DMV offices this week as well as at AAA offices which also do renewals. More information on the program can be found at ct.gov/selectCTid.

To help reduce time spent in a DMV or AAA office, DMV advises customers to check whether their renewal can be done later this month. However, the renewal must be done by the expiration date on the front of the license or the customer must pay a $25 late fee at the time of renewal.

DMV is also is asking customers to remember they can avoid long lines at the DMV regional service hubs in Bridgeport, Waterbury, Willimantic and Wethersfield by going to other service locations staffed by both DMV and AAA. Some confusion among customers has been frequently reported on which DMV offices are now open.

The following is a list of all DMV and AAA offices:

DMV Offices

Bridgeport - 95 Sylvan Ave.
Danbury  - 2 Lee Mac Ave.
Derby - Railroad Station - 12 Main St.
Enfield  - 4 Pearson Way
Hamden  - 1985 State St.
Middletown - Main Street Market, 386 Main St.
Milford - Parson's Government Center
New Britain  - 85 N. Mountain Road
Norwalk - 540 Main Ave.
Norwich - 173 Salem Tpk.
Old Saybrook - 7 Custom Drive
Putnam - 165 Kennedy Drive
Waterbury - 2210 Thomaston Ave.
Wethersfield - 60 State St.
Willimantic - 1557 W. Main St.
Winsted - 151 Torrington Road

AAA Offices

Avon - 70 E. Main St.
Branford  - 143 Cedar St.
Cromwell - 34 Shunpike Road
Danbury - 93 Lake Ave.
Enfield - 109 Elm St.
Hamden - 2276 Whitney Ave.
Manchester - 1500 G Pleasant Valley Road
Milford  - 827 Bridgeport Ave.
Old Saybrook - 210 Main St.
Plainville - Old Canal Square
Stamford - 1101 High Ridge Road
Waterbury - 720 Wolcott St.
Waterford - Waterford Shopping Plaza
West Hartford  - 815 Farmington Ave.
Westport - 419 Post Road East

The complete listing can also be found at ct.gov/dmv.

The overall program in brief:

• SelectCT ID stems from national security measures and federal identification standards for airports and federal buildings and any commercial transactions that may use them.
• It will be phased in during the next six years (October 2011 through 2017) as all licenses and ID cards are renewed. The renewal date is on the front of the driver’s license or ID card.
• People wanting a license or ID card indicating their identity was verified by DMV need to present certain original documents. These include a birth certificate, a valid U.S. passport or other primary documents, also proof of Social Security number, name changes, including as a result of marriage, divorce, etc., as well as proof of current address.
• Anyone declining this verification can simply ask to renew the regular license or ID card. A valid U.S. passport can serve the same purpose as the verified license or ID card.
• The new identity-checked driver licenses and ID cards will have a gold star in the upper right hand corner. Those without verification will be marked “Not for Federal Identification” since they do not meet the federal standard for identification.
• Non-U.S. citizens who request the verification must show various identity documents and legal presence in the U.S. that DMV will verify online. Without legal presence, DMV will not renew the driver’s license or ID card.
• Anyone with a renewed license can drive legally regardless of whether an identity check is done.

Connecticut currently requires all new applicants for driver licenses or DMV-issued ID card to have this identity verification. The cost of the driver license or I.D. card renewals cards is the same whether identity is verified or not (regular license renewal for six years is $66; anyone 65 and older can renew for two years at $22; commercial driver's license renewal is every four years and is $60. DMV-issued ID cards are renewed for $22.50 for six years).

Editor's note: The above was submitted as a press release by the DMV.