New MVA Videos Highlight What to Expect in a Driving Test and New Services Available Online
The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) released 2 new videos that are integrated into its website; one that will be helpful for customers going through the driver testing process and one video that features the services that can be accessed without having to visit an MVA branch.
The first video highlights valuable tips and techniques for the driver knowledge and skills tests. Featured on the MVA website,
www.mva.maryland.gov, the video informs potential applicants about the knowledge test which features 25 questions that must be completed within 15 minutes and provides helpful hints about the driving test such as the requirement to allow stopping distance at a traffic signal.
“About half of all new drivers fail the knowledge test,” declares MVA Administrator John T. Kuo on the video. Indeed, the purpose of the video is to inform new drivers to prepare, prepare, prepare for their Maryland driver’s license tests so new drivers can pass these tests on their first attempt.
Filmed earlier in the year, the video is being released during the MVA’s busy summer months, the time of year when most young applicants are out of school and hoping to get their driver’s licenses.
A second video also recommends the MVA’s web-based transactions with the slogan anywhere, anytime at MVA online. Administrator Kuo adds, “You can still come to an MVA office. We are always happy to see you, but you don’t have to!”
The MVA now offers driver’s license renewals, vehicle registration renewals and many other services online. “We are always improving customer service, allowing you to conduct transactions in the comfort of your home or office via the Internet,” concludes Administrator Kuo.
Visit the MVA’s website at
www.mva.maryland.gov and enjoy the video vignettes. On the upper right hand corner of the homepage, click on “video” for a selection that have been produced for or by the MVA.
MVA Begins Email Notifications to Renew Maryland Driver’s Licenses
Service Saves State Money
This year, the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) is trying something new; the MVA is asking customers to log on to the website
www.mva.maryland.gov to provide an email address so that the customer can receive a driver’s license renewal via email in addition to USPS mail.
Additionally, the MVA unveiled a new video featuring Governor Martin O’Malley (www.mva.maryland.gov/MVA-Announcements/online-vision-service.htm ) explaining that customers can “skip the trip” and renew a driver’s license online, especially with a new electronic connection between eye doctors and the MVA to provide a customer’s vision certification.
Last year, Maryland mailed 366,224 driver’s license renewal notices at a cost of $.55 each. To reduce the cost of printing and postage on the paper notices, the MVA will email the notification to the email address on file prior to physically mailing the notice. Customers who have given their email addresses to the MVA will receive the renewal email notice ninety days prior to the expiration of their driver’s licenses. If the Maryland driver has not renewed two weeks after the email notice, the MVA will mail a paper renewal notice. A second email is sent at the beginning of the month in which the driver’s license expires, if it has not been renewed.
“The MVA is always working to make your transactions as easy and efficient as possible,” said MVA Administrator John T. Kuo. “With over a million Marylanders providing us with their email addresses, we are taking advantage of the simplicity and ease of email to notify drivers to renew their licenses. Later this summer we will also email Marylanders with identification cards when their cards are in need of renewal.”
The email notification sent to each Maryland driver also gives the driver the options available to them to renew. Marylanders can renew their driver’s licenses online, or by U.S. Mail if they renewed in person for the driver’s license that is about to expire. The online and mail-in option also requires a vision certification for those aged 40 and over. A link to the online option will be in the email or the MVA will ask you to select a branch office to visit if you are required to update your photograph and renew in person.
The MVA deployed a similar system for vehicle registration notices in 2012 and has since saved $65,000 in printing and postage.
To send your email address to the MVA, click on “email management” under “online transactions” on the upper left hand side of the MVA homepage,
www.mva.maryland.gov. You will be asked to provide a driver’s license number and date of birth or the last four digits of your social security number to complete the transaction. There is no charge for the transaction.
MD MVA Unveils New Smartphone / Tablet App
See How Long It May Take Before You Visit an MVA or VEIP Station
The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) has added another service to its menu of free apps. The new app will allow customers access to current wait times at MVA or VEIP stations, as well as maps, directions to stations, and more. The app, available for ios devices through itunes or android devices through the google play store, allows folks to check the real-time length of the wait at various locations, including how many people are currently waiting for a given service. The app shows the exterior camera of all Vehicle Emissions Inspection Stations (VEIP) and the line of cars, if any.
Provided by L3 Company free of charge to the MVA, the information is also available on the MVA website:
www.mva.maryland.gov/mobile/wait-times.htm.
“We want to make your transactions at the MVA as easy and convenient as possible,” said MVA Administrator John T. Kuo. “With new wait time apps, you can check when and where to complete any MVA business you need at the most convenient time for you.”
The app in the Apple platform was made available in May and the Android app launched last month.
However, before you check the wait times, log onto the MVA’s website to see if you even need to visit an MVA branch office. Many transactions, including vehicle registration and driver’s license renewals, changes of address, driving records and much more are available online without the need to visit an MVA branch office at all. Log onto the MVA website at:
www.mva.maryland.gov/ and save yourself a trip.
But if you still need to visit an MVA branch office or your vehicle is due for an emissions inspection, check out the wait times for free with the new mobile apps.
Maryland MVA Seeks Feedback through Annual Driver Survey
The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office (MHSO) is seeking public input on important highway safety issues, including the awareness of highway safety messages and personal driving related behavior. Through an outreach effort called the Maryland Annual Driving Survey, or MADS, the MHSO annually surveys licensed drivers to gain information regarding knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors as it relates to highway safety practices. Specific areas of focus for MADS include seat belts, impaired driving, speeding and distracted driving.
The MHSO’s Annual Driving Survey addresses:
-- the behaviors that contribute to the risk of crashing;
-- the knowledge about Maryland’s driving laws;
-- the attitudes related to driving laws and behaviors; and
-- the awareness of outreach efforts to combat the risks associated with certain driving behaviors.
In 2012, more than 6,900 people responded to the survey, with 47 percent submitting their responses electronically. Last year's notable results included the fact that 68 percent of respondents were in support of making seat belt use mandatory in all vehicle seating positions, leading to Maryland lawmakers passing an all seating position seat belt law earlier this year. Survey takers also responded that in the 30 days previous to their response, nearly 78 percent had not driven a motor vehicle within two hours after consuming alcoholic beverages, and 93 percent of respondents indicated that they used a seat belt all or most of the time.
The survey is available to be completed online at
www.surveymonkey.com/s/MHSO_MADS_2013.