Three NOVA DMV Offices to Close Due to Budget Cuts

Three NOVA DMV Offices to Close Due to Budget Cuts

Bearing the brunt of severe statewide budget reductions and layoffs, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has announced that it will permanently close 12 of its 73 customer service centers, including three in Northern Virginia: Fair Oaks, Fair Oaks Mall; Sterling, 100 Free Court; and Northern Virginia Dealer Center, 6308 Grovedale Drive, Alexandria.

The agency has notified more than 120 full-time employees and 25 wage employees that they will be laid off effective Nov. 15.

The DMV said offices were selected on the basis of several factors. The agency evaluated owned facilities and leased facilities where the lease would be easy to cancel and with minimal costs. The agency also considered proximity of offices to one another.

Operations of all four DMV mobile customer service centers also have been terminated, and all scheduled visits from the mobile units to Virginia’s outlying localities, military bases and corporate centers have been canceled.

In addition to layoffs, office hours will be reduced. Currently, most DMV offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 5:30pm and on Saturday from 8:30am to 12:30pm. New hours will vary based on office size, transaction volume and service trends. All customer service centers will be closed on Wednesday, the least busiest day of the week.

Over two years, the total agency budget reduction will be approximately $45.5 million, resulting in the elimination of more than 350 DMV full-time positions at all levels. The layoffs will occur in DMV customer service centers, weigh stations and Richmond headquarters. Including part-time and contractual employees, DMV layoffs will top 550.

The DMV says it will continue to serve customers in the best possible way. However, service will be slower and will not be as convenient as it has in the past, the agency said.

Other DMV offices due to close include Bedford, 1629 Forest Road; Bristol, 21341 Old Dominion Road; Chesterfield, 610 Johnston Willis Drive; Gloucester, 6577 George Washington ; Norfolk/ Military Circle, 5745 Poplar Hall Drive; Rocky Mount, 305 Tanyard Road; Warrenton, 94 Alexandria Pike; West Henrico, 9237 Quioccasin Road; and Woodstock, 714A North Main Street.