Virginia DMV Expected Operational Thursday

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles says it will be fully operational on Thursday after a computer malfunction kept driver's license processing and other tasks offline for a week.

DMV will have all hands on deck when computer service is fully restored enabling the processing of driver's licenses and ID cards in its 74 customer service centers.

DMV is extending operating hours until 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday at all locations.   DMV estimates approximately 35,000 to 45,000 customers have been unable to receive or renew driver's licenses or ID cards since the service disruption began August 25.

Due to the emergency, DMV will execute the authority to issue licenses for up to eight years. As a result, the validity periods of most licenses and ID cards that expired during the service disruptions are extended by 20 days.

For example, licenses that expired Aug. 25 will be valid until Sept. 14,  allowing customers added time to renew prior to the new expiration date. In addition, customers who renew licenses prior to the revised expiration date will not be required to provide documentation of their U. S. citizenship or legal presence in the country.

To avoid the swell of customers, three alternative options are available through www.dmvNOW.com, automated telephone 1-888-337-4782, or renewal through mail.

Renewal notices distributed through the mail should contain a PIN number and  instructions on how to renew licenses through these alternative means.

Virginia State Police won't take any enforcement action for driver's licenses that expire from Aug. 25 through Sept. 30, officials said.