By Natalie Moritz | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq. | Last reviewed November 29, 2023
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Every state has a branch of government that regulates issues like driver's licenses, license plates, and vehicle registration. This branch is usually called the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). These DMV locations can also be named something similar.
Each state has a unique procedure for various DMV services. You can check each DMV website for additional information on:
It's best to check your state's specific laws and regulations before starting any motor vehicle-related processes.
One of the main issues regulated by state motor vehicle departments is vehicle registration. Vehicle registrations aren't just applicable to cars. It includes all vehicles, such as boats and recreational vehicles.
The vehicle registration procedure varies from state to state, but the procedures of each state have some similarities. Generally, vehicle registration requires the payment of a fee and must usually be renewed each year.
A vehicle must also be re-registered when ownership of a vehicle changes. Finally, states also require that most cars periodically undergo an emissions or smog test before renewing the car's registration.
Another area that the state motor vehicle department regulates is driver's licenses. This includes both issuing and even suspending driver's licenses in certain circumstances.
The requirements for obtaining a driver's license depend on the rules of each state. Generally, each state has a minimum age requirement. The person applying for the license must pass a driving, written, and vision test.
States usually require people to get a new driver's license if they change their name. But, getting a new license because of a name change typically doesn't require that the driver take any tests.
State motor vehicle departments are also in charge of ensuring drivers are safe and responsible on the road. Many states employ a driver's license point system to keep track of people's driving records.
This point system assigns a point value to each traffic offense. More serious traffic offenses usually have higher point values.
When someone gets too many points within a specific time, they can have their driver's license suspended or revoked. If a person's license is revoked, they can usually reapply for a license after a waiting period set by law.
FindLaw's State DMV Offices section below links each state's relevant motor vehicle agencies and official agency forms (when available online).
The Driver License (DL) Division of the Alabama Department of Public Safety licenses drivers and registers vehicles.
The Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) licenses drivers and registers vehicles.
The Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) of the Arizona Department of Transportation registers motor vehicles, licenses drivers, collects revenues, enforces motor vehicle statutes, and performs related functions.
The Office of Driver Services (ODS) at the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration licenses drivers. Testing is administered by Arkansas State Police and the Office of Motor Vehicle registers vehicles.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) licenses drivers and registers vehicles.
The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) of Colorado's Department of Revenue licenses drivers and registers vehicles.
The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) licenses drivers and registers vehicles.
The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) licenses drivers and registers vehicles.
The District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) licenses drivers and registers vehicles.
The Division of Driver Licenses of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles licenses drivers; the Division of Motor Vehicles registers vehicles.
The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) licenses drivers and registers vehicles.
Hawaii does not have a statewide Department of Motor Vehicles or Department of Driver Licensing. Both driver licensing and vehicle registration are managed by each county government. The Motor Vehicles Safety Office of the Hawaii Department of Transportation (DOT) oversees written testing.
The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) of the Idaho Transportation Department licenses drivers and registers vehicles.
The Driver Services Department of the Illinois Secretary of State licenses drivers and registers vehicles.
The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) licenses drivers and registers vehicles.
The Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) in the Iowa Department of Transportation licenses drivers and registers vehicles.
The Iowa Department of Transportation provides the Iowa Driver's Manual in an audio DVD version. For a copy, phone 1-800-532-1121.
The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in the Kansas Department of Revenue licenses drivers and registers vehicles.
The Division of Driver Licensing (DDL) of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet licenses drivers, and the Division of Motor Vehicle Licensing (MVL) registers vehicles.
The Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) of the Louisiana Department of Public Safety licenses drivers and registers vehicles.
The Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) within the Department of the Maine Secretary of State licenses drivers and registers vehicles.
The Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) of the Maryland Department of Transportation licenses drivers and registers vehicles.
The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) licenses drivers and registers vehicles.
The Bureau of Branch Office Services of the Michigan Department of State licenses drivers and registers vehicles; the Bureau of Regulatory Services conducts driver's license reexaminations and hearings.
The Division of Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety licenses drivers and registers vehicles.
The Driver Services Bureau of the Mississippi Highway Patrol licenses drivers and your local county tax collector registers vehicles.
The Driver License Bureau of the Missouri Department of Revenue issues driver licenses. The Missouri State Highway Patrol Driver's Examination Division oversees the driver examination portion. The Motor Vehicle Bureau registers vehicles.
The Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) of the Montana Department of Justice licenses drivers and registers automobiles.
Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) licenses drivers; vehicles are registered at your County Motor Vehicle Office.
The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) licenses drivers and registers vehicles.
The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in the New Hampshire Department of Safety licenses drivers and registers vehicles.
The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) licenses drivers and registers vehicles.
The Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) of the New Mexico Department of Taxation and Revenue licenses drivers and registers vehicles.
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) licenses drivers and registers vehicles.
The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) of the North Carolina Department of Transportation is responsible for issuing North Carolina driver's licenses, titles, registration, and plates. It also offers information concerning vehicle safety inspections, financial responsibility, property taxes, and local licenses.
The Drivers License and Traffic Safety Division of the North Dakota Department of Transportation licenses drivers; the Motor Vehicle Division registers vehicles.
The Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) of the Ohio Department of Public Safety licenses drivers and registers vehicles.
Driver License Services of the Department of Public Safety licenses drivers; the Motor Vehicle Commission (OMVC) of the Oklahoma Tax Commission registers vehicles.
The Division of Driver and Motor Vehicles (DMV) of the Oregon Department of Transportation licenses drivers and registers vehicles.
Pennsylvania's Driver and Vehicle Services (PennDOT) licenses drivers and registers vehicles.
Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) licenses drivers and registers vehicles.
South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) licenses drivers and registers vehicles.
The Driver Licensing Program of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety licenses drivers; the Division of Motor Vehicles of the South Dakota Department of Revenue & Regulation licenses and registers vehicles.
The Driver License Issuance Division of the Tennessee Department of Safety licenses drivers; the Taxpayer and Vehicle Services Division of the Tennessee Department of Revenue licenses and registers vehicles.
The Driver License Division of the Texas Department of Public Safety licenses drivers; the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles licenses and registers vehicles.
The Driver License Division (DLD) of the Utah Department of Public Safety licenses drivers; the Motor Vehicle Division of the Utah State Tax Commission licenses and registers vehicles.
The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) licenses drivers and registers vehicles.
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) licenses drivers and registers vehicles.
The Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) licenses drivers and registers vehicles.
The West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) registers vehicles and licenses drivers.
Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation licenses drivers; registers vehicles; administers motor vehicle laws; licenses motor vehicle dealerships; and administers a vehicle emissions testing program.
The Driver Services Program of the Wyoming Department of Transportation licenses drivers; the Motor Vehicle Services Division licenses and registers vehicles.
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