All NYS DMV offices, operations closing for multiple days: Here’s why

All New York State Department of Motor Vehicles offices are closing for multiple days beginning today.

The DMV said all operations will shut down beginning Friday, Feb. 13 at 2 p.m., through Tuesday, Feb. 17. Offices, online transactions and phone services will all be unavailable during that time period.

DMV offices will reopen at the start of business Wednesday, Feb. 18, and operations will resume as normal.

The agency announced the temporary closures last month as part of a planned rollout of the first segment of a new, modernized technology system to give customers better and more streamlined service. The interruption will allow for implementing and testing the new system before reopening Wednesday.

The updates aim to allow DMV workers to process transactions more quickly and efficiently in one secure platform. It will also create more options for online services, helping New Yorkers to minimize in-person visits to DMV offices.

A second major upgrade to the outdated system is expected to take place in 2028.

“With one consolidated, state-of-the-art system, we will be replacing hundreds of software applications, some of which date back to the days of Nelson Rockefeller,” said DMV Commissioner and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee Mark J.F. Schroeder. “I truly believe it will give our staff the ability to serve New Yorkers better, faster, and more comprehensively than ever before. I and everyone at DMV are so proud of the hard work and effort that has gone into developing this new platform over the last two years. Our staff has worked tirelessly to train and prepare for this change; however, we ask for patience as we adjust to the new system in the days immediately after it launches.”

New York residents who need to update their license or non-driver ID can potentially do an online transaction through the DMV’s website before Friday afternoon.

The shutdown was scheduled for Presidents Day weekend to minimize disruptions, as state offices typically close for the weekend through the Presidents Day holiday on Monday.