5/19/2020
ITD DMV and county officials urge online renewals as COVID-19 closures cause backlog
BOISE - As DMV offices begin to reopen across the state, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) and county officials are asking drivers to use online services to ease the backlog caused by COVID-19 closures. Tuesday morning, ITD, county sheriffs, and county assessors came together to address the situation.
Download interviews from:
- ITD DMV Administrator Alberto Gonzalez
- Canyon County Sheriff Kieran Donahue
- Ada County Sheriff Steve Bartlett
- Ada County DMV Manager Denise Otter
- Canyon County Assessor Brian Stender
YouTube link
WeTransfer download link
ITD data shows an estimated DMV service backlog of 40,000 driver’s license/ID card customers, 50,000 vehicle registrations, and 10,000 vehicle titles statewide.
Idahoans are encouraged to renew their license and/or vehicle registration online, and help reduce wait times by allowing room at county DMV offices for customers who cannot complete services online. Drivers will also be reminded to renew online by roadside digital message boards across the state.
“The DMVs across the state typically conduct about 250,000 transactions a month, but because of the limited office access during COVID, we have a significant backlog of approximately 100,000 customers. We’re encouraging the public to go online, at itd.idaho.gov, and only go into the DMV office if it is absolutely necessary,” said Alberto Gonzalez, ITD DMV Administrator.
Expanded online services at itd.idaho.gov include:
-Renewing your license/ID
-Purchasing a replacement license/ID
-Purchasing your driving record
-Renewing vehicle registration
-Ordering personalized plates
Licenses and registrations expiring between March 1 and May 31 now have until June 30, 2020 to renew. The federal deadline for the Star Card-Idaho’s REAL ID has also been extended a full year to October 1, 2021.
County DMV offices are managed by both the county sheriff’s office and county assessor’s office. Office hours and availability vary by county. ITD strongly suggests drivers contact their county DMV office before making the trip, as many may require an appointment.
For more information, visit itd.idaho.gov or call 208.334.8000.