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Page 1: Virginia Car Registrationcar-registration.org.s3.amazonaws.com/.../virginia.pdf · 2018-12-13 · insurance when you register your vehicle in Virginia. This is a necessary requirement

Page 1 | Car-Registration.org

VirginiaCar Registration

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Bonus

Features

24-Hour Emergency Roadside Assistance Benefits

24-Hour Towing Service

24-Hour Mechanical First Aid

24-Hour Tire Change Service

Customers are covered for emergency road service throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Customers are entitled to emergency towing service at no out-of-pocket cost for any tow up to 75 dollars. One service per seven days, two services per contract. Extended distance will be an additional expense covered by the customer.

Customers are entitled to any service requiring minor adjustments (exclusive of parts) to enable a disabled vehicle to proceed under its own power, where available.

Customers may have their tire changed with their inflated and functional spare tire.

Congratulations on your 60-dayRoadside Assistance membershipWhen out on the road, you will know that you are covered and protected by an organization that cares about the safety of you and your family. Our customer service representatives respond quickly to provide you the best service and protection available anywhere.

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Rental Car Discounts

24-Hour Lost Key Service

24-Hour Emergency Delivery

24-Hour Emergency Battery Service

Map Routing Service

Customers are entitled to take advantage of our rental car discount codes and pre-negotiated group rates, which are honored at thousands of locations throughout the U.S. and abroad.

If keys are locked inside a customer’s vehicle, the customer will be assisted in gaining entry to the vehicle’s passenger compartment only. Locksmith services may be dispatched as needed at the customer’s expense for labor and key making.

A service truck will deliver emergency supplies of gasoline, water, oil or other necessary supplies. Customers pay only for the cost of the supplies.

Customers are covered for battery boosts and minor adjustments to alternators, starters, etc. while on the road.

We will, at no charge, provide customers with a four-color mapping and travel route information to destinations they specify.

Theft And Hit & Run Protection

A $500 reward is offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for Hit & Run damages or stealing customers’ vehicles. Whenever you travel, you will like the secure and confident feeling of knowing that you are protected by NSD’s Roadside Assistance. Fast response and excellent service are just two reasons why millions of motorists rely on NSD’s Roadside Assistance for on-the-road protection.

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Follow the link in your confirmation email to start redeeming your $25 Gas Coupon.

*PLEASE SAVE ALL THE INFORMATION FOR YOUR RECORDS. You will use your log in information throughout the course of your complimentary gas membership.

CONGRATULATIONS! Redeem Your $25 Gas Card Online

Keeping You Safe Mile After MileOnce your purchase is processed, you will receive an email with the information you need to start your 60-day Roadside Assistance membership.

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Registration Insurance Requirements

Replacing your Vehicle Registration

DMV Hours and Locations

License Plates

Vehicle Registration

Renewing your Vehicle Registration

Registering your Vehicle in Virginia

Updating your Vehicle Registration

Vehicle Safety Tips

7

16

26

19

6

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9

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Contents

Registration Insurance Requirements

Replacing Your Vehicle Registration

DMV Hours and Locations

License Plates

Vehicle Registration

Renewing Your Vehicle Registration

Registering Your Vehicle in Virginia

Updating Your Vehicle Registration

Vehicle Safety Tips

Table of

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Vehicle Registration

Looking for information on how to register a vehicle in the state of Virginia? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Within this guide you will find the necessary information regarding how to apply for your vehicle registration as well as what exactly you will need to do before you apply to ensure that you meet the necessary requirements.

In order to do this, you will need to take steps and follow procedures that have been outlined and organized for you regarding registering your vehicle in the Old Dominion State.

Whether you are looking to register a specific type of vehicle, renew your soon-to-be-expired registration, replace a lost, stolen or damaged registration or update your current vehicle registration, all of this information and more will be provided for you fast, easy and stress free! Our purpose is to help you in knowing exactly how to properly prepare for a trip to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles by providing you with all the tools and information you may need from start to finish. So, don’t worry and make use of this guide to make your life slightly less complicated.

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Registration Insurance Requirements

You will be required to obtain proper insurance when you register your vehicle in Virginia.

This is a necessary requirement in order to help reduce the number of uninsured drivers on the road, a circumstance that can often result in high costs if you are involved in any vehicle accident. Your insurance company will issue your proof of insurance by providing you with a Virginia insurance ID card that you must keep in your vehicle to present as proof of insurance when needed. When visiting a VA DMV office for an initial auto registration, you will need to show proof of car insurance. By signing the vehicle registration application, you are asserting that your vehicle is properly insured in the state of Virginia.

In order to be able to apply for your vehicle registration, it will be mandatory that you obtain liability insurance before you are allowed to register and legally drive it without any consequences. What is the purpose of liability insurance? Well, if you are involved in a car accident, it is important that any and all damages or injuries you cause someone else can be paid for without causing you financial difficulty.

Fees Minimum vehicle liability insurance policy:

Property Damage

Body Injury or Death for one person

Body Injury or Death for multiple people

$20,000

$25,000

$50,000

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Your liability insurance must be a state-specific insurance coverage plan obtained from an insurance company certified by the state; out-of-state insurance plans will not be accepted.

The insurance plan must remain valid even when your vehicle is no longer in use, and must be renewed before it lapses. If you do not wish to obtain an insurance plan, you will be required to pay a $500 fee for the uninsured motor vehicle option available through the DMV which permits you to drive an uninsured vehicle at your risk and expense. This option expires alongside your registration and requires that you repay the fee when you renew it.

Though, if you decide to obtain insurance for your vehicle, the Virginia DMV will monitor your coverage status through the Insurance Verification Program. Through the program, the DMV is immediately notified whether or not your vehicle is properly insured, and on any information regarding your coverage.

If your information does not come back verified from the insurance company, you will receive an Insurance Verification Inquiry letter requiring you to provide information regarding your insurance coverage to the DMV office to certify that you have coverage. You are able to provide the necessary information through the DMV official website here.

However, in the event that you are found to not have your vehicle insured or you have not paid for the uninsured motor vehicle (UMV) fee, you will have both your driving and registration rights suspended. In order to reinstate your privileges you will berequired to take the following steps:

Pay a $500 statutory fee.

Submit a Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate (SR-22) for three years.

Pay a reinstatement fee, if applicable.

If you are unable to maintain your vehicle’s insurance, it is best to either temporarily deactivate the license plates, pay the UMV fee or surrender your license plates to the VA DMV.

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Registering Your Vehicle in Virginia

The most important part of registering your vehicle in Virginia is taking a look at the requirements you will need to meet as well as the steps you must take depending on the type of vehicle you have.

Whether you are registering a new, used, out-of-state, military or special type of vehicle, you should see the specific instructions to have it registered so you can make sure the process is as easy and quick as possible. You can simply take a look at the outlined steps below to better understand what exactly you must do in order to register your vehicle in Virginia and begin driving legally as soon as possible!

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Through the process of registering, your vehicle will be required to pass a safety inspection, and depending on your location, your vehicle may also need to pass a standard smog and emissions inspection in order to be registered. The emissions inspection is required for only certain counties and cities in Virginia:

Counties: Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Stafford

Cities: Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Manassas, Manassas Park

If you are registering a vehicle from out of state, you can simply present a valid emissions certificate performed within the last 12 months but only if you are coming from one of the following states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington or Wisconsin.

Registering a New VehicleIf your new vehicle was purchased from out of state, then you will need to take the following steps:

Obtain a vehicle safety inspection sticker from the Virginia State Police.

Complete an emissions inspection, if applicable.

Obtain Virginia vehicle insurance or pay the UMV fee.

Visit a VA DMV office within 30 days of relocating to the state to title your vehicle and fill out an Application for Registration.

Pay all necessary registration fees.

Get a sticker or decal from your local county, town or city, if required.

Note: Some Virginia localities require new residents to register their vehicles within that specific municipality and obtain a decal within 30 days of moving into the area.

Registering a Used VehicleIn order to register a used vehicle that has been purchased from a private individual in the state of Virginia, you will have to carefully complete the following steps:

Obtain a vehicle safety inspection sticker from the Virginia State Police.

Complete a smog and emissions inspection, if required.

Present proof of vehicle insurance or pay the UMV fee.

Fill out the Application for Registration.

Pay all necessary registration fees.

Get a sticker or decal from your local county, town or city, if required.

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Registering an Out-of-State VehicleHave you recently moved to Virginia and wish to register your out-of-state vehicle? If so, you will have to take the below steps to have it properly registered within 30 days of becoming a Virginia resident:

Complete a vehicle safety inspection.

Complete a smog and emissions inspection, if necessary.

Present proof of vehicle insurance or furnish the uninsured motor vehicle fee of $500.

Transfer out-of-state title to Virginia.

Pay all title and registration fees due.

Get a sticker or decal from your local county, town or city, if required.

Vehicle Registration for Military MembersAs an active military member and a resident of Virginia, you will have to take the same general steps seen above in order to register your vehicle, however, if you are stationed out of state, you will simply have to keep your vehicle registered and insured in the state you are currently stationed.

If you are a non-resident and you are stationed in Virginia, then you will not be required to register your vehicle in the state as long as it remains registered in your home state or you and any co-owners of your vehicle are active duty military personnel. However, in the case that any co-owner

is not on active duty in the military, then you will be required to register your vehicle in Virginia by following the steps outlined above or register your vehicle in your home state.

Tip Upon returning to the US following overseas deployment, US military personal and other federal employees are granted a 14-day grace period in which to obtain a valid vehicle safety inspection sticker.

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Renewing Your Vehicle Registration

Is it time to renew your vehicle registration? Much like your driver license, your vehicle registration expires after a predetermined period of time, which means that your vehicle will be deemed illegal to operate until renewal is completed.

This of course can be solved by simply making sure to renew your vehicle’s registration before the expiration date passes. Fortunately, The Virginia DMV helps by notifying the registrant of renewal via their preferred method (mail, email or text message).

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Through the Virginia DMV, you will be able to choose among three different options of when you would like to renew your vehicle registration. You can choose to renew under a certain amount of time if you checked off the option on your vehicle registration and you meet the following requirements:

One-year registration

• No restrictions.

Two-year registration

• Vehicle is not over 55,000 lbs.• Vehicle is not registered through the

International Registration Plan (IRP).• Uninsured motor vehicle fee has not been

paid.• Vehicle is located in an emission inspection

required county/city and there is only a year left for the emissions inspection renewal.

Three-year registration

• You are not renewing by mail.• Vehicle is not over 55,000 lb.• Vehicle is kept in a county that requires an

emission inspection.• Vehicle is not registered through the

International Registration Plan (IRP).• Uninsured motor vehicle fee has not been

paid.

When it is time for you to renew your vehicle registration, the DMV office will mail you a renewal notice with all the necessary information regarding your renewal process. However, in case you do not receive a renewal notice in the mail and you would like to renew your vehicle registration, please contact the DMV office at 804-497- 7100.

You also have the option to receive electronic registration renewal notices by singing up through the Virginia DMV website, providing your Social Security Number and date of birth.

Renewing in PersonThe Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles urges motorists to apply for car registration renewal either online or by mail. To that end, there is a $5 surcharge added to the registration renewal fee of residents who chose to apply in person at a customer service center or mobile office. To renew your vehicle registration in person, you will have to take the following steps:

Visit a DMV Select, customer service center or mobile office.

Present your renewal notice or registration certificate.

Present proof of your vehicle’s passed emission test, if necessary.

Present proof of vehicle insurance, if necessary.

Pay the necessary renewal fee which will be stated on the renewal notice.

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Renewing OnlineVirginia residents can apply for registrationrenewal online through the DMV website by completing the following steps:

Visit the online service portal.

Provide the vehicle title number and last fourdigits of vehicle identification number (VIN) ORlog in to your account.

Pay the necessary renewal fee with an electronic check or valid Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express card.

Note: During the online renewal process, applicants must certify whether or not they have vehicle insurance.

Additionally, applicants can renew their registration online quickly and conveniently through a trusted third-party provider here.

Renewing by MailIf you would like to renew your vehicle registration by mail, you can easily do so by simply submitting the following necessary documents and payment:

Complete the registration renewal notice that was sent to you via mail.

Enclose the appropriate renewal fee.

Send the applicable documents and payment to the following address:

Virginia Department of Motor VehiclesAttn: Renewal CenterP.O. Box 27412Richmond, VA 23269-0001

Your registration materials should arrive in the mail within five days. However, allow up to 15 days for your materials as delivery times do vary.

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Renewing by PhoneThe last option you have to renew your vehicle’s registration is by phone, taking these quick steps outlined below:

One-year renewal

One-year renewal

One-year renewal

Two-year renewal

Two-year renewal

Two-year renewal

Three-year renewal

Three-year renewal

Three-year renewal

$1 discount

No discount

No discount

$3 discount

$2 discount

$2 discount

$4 discount

$3 discount

Not Available

Renewing Online:

Renewing by Telephone:

Renewing by Mail:

Contact the DMV office at 888-337-4782.

Provide proof that the vehicle passed the emissions inspection, if necessary.

Provide all the necessary information stated on your renewal notice.

Pay the necessary renewal fee by using a credit or debit card.

Fees

When it is time to renew your vehicle registration, you will need to pay a fee that is based on the type of vehicle you have registered. You may be eligible for a discount, depending on the renewal method you choose:

If you are late on renewing your vehicle registration after the expiration date, you will face a $10 late fee as well as further penalties if you are pulled over for driving without valid registration.

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Replacing Your Vehicle Registration

Has something happened to your vehicle registration card? Well, it doesn’t matter if your vehicle registration was recently lost, stolen or even damaged, the Virginia DMV makes it convenient for applicants to obtain a replacement credential.

Residents can request replacement card online and print it or have the duplicate mailed to them.

Online Vehicle Registration Replacement Residents can request a replacement registration card online by signing into their Virginia MyDMV account. Motorists without an online account can instead enter the last four digits of their title number and the last four digits of their VIN and have the replacement card mailed to them. In order to obtain your replacement registration online make sure to follow the steps below:

Visit the Virginia DMV Now website here.

Provide your vehicle title number.

Provide the last four digits of your vehicle identification number (VIN).

Tip If you requested that a replacement registration be mailed to you, the duplicate should arrive within 15 days. If it does not, contact the DMV office.

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Updating Your Vehicle Registration

Whether you are moving to a new city or making a major change such as changing some or all of your name, you will need to consider how these changes affect your legal documents.

When it comes to your car registration, it is important that you know how to go about notifying the VA DMV about these types of changes through the proper channels.

There are several different methods made available to residents including online, by phone, in person and by mail on how to update their address with the department. Though, residents who need to report a name change must do so in person at a DMV customer service center.

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Address Change Residents must notify the Virginia DMV of a change of address within 30 days of a move. The applicant must provide a physical residential address within the state to go on record with the department. An alternative in-state address may also be provided to appear on the resident’s driver’s license card for those who want to protect their privacy.

To apply for a change of address, residents may use one of the following methods:

Online

By phone: (804) 497-7100

In person at a DMV customer service center

By mail: Fill out the Address Change Request Form and mail it to the following address:

Virginia Department of Motor VehiclesPO Box 27412Richmond, VA 23269

Name ChangeThose applying for a name change with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles must go through a more involved process of updating their information. Applicants must visit a DMV customer service center and bring with them the following to change their name on their DMV record:

A completed Driver’s License and Identification Card Application form (Applicants can alternatively fill out the application online and bring the printed confirmation e-mail to the DMV office)

Proof of name change in the form of one of the following:• Marriage certificate• Divorce decree• Copy of court order granting the name change

(original or test copy)

Virginia driver’s license, learner’s permit or photo ID card

Tip When changing your name on your DMV record, be sure to also apply for a duplicate driver’s license to have your new name appear on your card.

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License Plates

When you go to register your vehicle at the Virginia DMV office, you will automatically be assigned a license plate number. This will mean that every time you renew your vehicle registration, your license plate will not need to be renewed. The DMV office will instead provide you with a decal to attach to your license plate which will state the date of expiration. You will be responsible for keeping your license plate sticker valid at all times in order to legally drive in the state of Virginia.

The standard issued license plate is not the only option when it comes to your tags; instead, you can chose to get a plate that best fits your tastes either in design, message or both. You also do not have to settle for boring or standard license plates. By ordering specialized plates, you have the option of obtaining a license plate that fits your personality, hobbies or interests.

Getting Specialized License PlatesThere are many different options to choose from if you are looking to obtain a personalized license plate for your vehicle; make sure you take a look at the types of personalized license plates available for you to choose from as well as the restrictions and limitations on the different types of license plates.

If you would like to obtain your custom license plate, you may either apply online, in person at the DMV office or send the appropriate application materials by mail to the address provided below. To begin, fill out the License Plate Application (Form VSA 10) or the notarized Antique License Plate Certificate (Form VSA 10B) if you are seeking to obtain an antique license plate or send the form and payment to the address designated on the appropriate application form.

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After you’ve completed the above steps allow time for the DMV office to process your application, your custom license plates should arrive in the mail within 60 days.

Ordering Custom Plates OnlineIn the case that you would prefer to obtain your custom license plate online, you will have to go to the Virginia DMV official website’s specialized license plates to browse the personalized license plates available for your selection.

In order to do this, you will have to take the following steps:

Visit the Virginia DMV Plate Purchase page.

Select the type of license plate (special interest, college, military etc.)

Select your personalized character combination, if desired

Provide your title number.

Provide your vehicle identification number (VIN).

Pay any necessary standard license plate registration fee, one time or annually.

Pay the $10 personalized license plate fee, annually.

After you’ve completed the above steps, your custom license plates should arrive in the mail within 60 days, otherwise please contact the DMV office.

Fees You will be required to pay an initial fee when you first obtain your custom license late and afterwards pay an annual fee to maintain the license plate. Special license plate fees can be $10, $15 or $25 annually. You can also pay a $10, $25 or $50 one-time fee depending on the plate design. Keep in mind that specialized plate fees must be paid in addition to vehicle registration fees.

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Replacing Your License PlatesThere may be a time when you may need to replace your vehicle’s license plates, whether it is due to having them stolen, damaged or perhaps lost. Regardless, replacing your license plates in the state of Virginia is a simple process that allows for you to obtain replacement plates for your vehicle as well as help you to feel safe and secure.

Make sure you notify the local police department if you notice that your license plate has been stolen or misplaced to prevent any issues that may arise due to identity theft. Afterwards, make sure to contact the Virginia DMV office at 804-497-7100 to notify them of the issue and have them explain the process of replacing your custom license plates.

Surrendering Virginia License PlatesAre you planning to relocate along with your vehicle to another state or perhaps selling your vehicle? In such cases, it is important that you surrender the Virginia state license plates for that vehicle. If you have at least six months before your vehicle registration expires, you can fill out the Vehicle Registration Refund Application to obtain a partial refund. Car registration refunds can take up to 30 days to process. In order to surrender your license plates, you will simply need to visit the nearest DMV office and hand the plates over or mail them to the following address:

Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles P.O. Box 27412 Richmond, Virginia 23269

Deactivating Your PlatesResidents who have cancelled their liability insurance coverage but wish to keep their car registration plates without penalty must apply to temporarily deactivate their license plates and registration. Those who continue without auto coverage may be subject to severe penalties and fines, including having their vehicle registration privileges suspended. This plate deactivation feature can be accessed remotely through the Virginia DMV online services portal. To deactivate plates in the online system, applicants must either enter in their title number and plate number or log-in using their myDMV account credentials.

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Vehicle Safety Tips

The most important thing to know before you begin driving any vehicle is that both you and the vehicle are prepared for any trip you plan to make.

This means checking and making any changes to your vehicle or your behavior to make sure that you are able to drive safely at all times.

Emergency KitOne of the essentials to safe driving is having a basic emergency kit available in your vehicle at all times. This kit should include basic items such as water, extra batteries, rope, first aid kit, matches, a whistle etc. During winter months, it is also important to carry additional items such as blankets, non-perishable foods, extra gloves and socks and a shovel.

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Winter DrivingOne of the most dangerous times to drive is during the winter, especially if you live in an area where it snows. Therefore, it is best to consider these tips to drive safely during the winter.

Don’t Rush!

Roads are often icy after it snows, so instead of driving fast and risking an accident in your rush to get to your destination, try leaving a few minutes earlier than usual. This will allow you to drive slower and help you to avoid rushing other drivers by not tailgating them if they are going slower.

Don’t Panic If You Skid or Slip

In the event that your vehicle does ski or slip while driving, make sure to not panic and slam down on your brakes. Instead, all you need to do is apply slow and even pressure on your brakes until you stop. This will prevent you from spinning further out of control.

Check Your Vehicle

Before you even leave your house, make sure your vehicle’s controls, brakes, tank, tires, antifreeze, exhaust etc. are all working properly. It is also important that you remove all ice and snow from your car before you begin driving; this prevents the snow from blocking your view while you are on the road.

Drinking and Driving Every year thousands are killed as a result of drinking and driving. This is something that is very easily prevented; it only requires that you plan ahead of time by taking a few steps.

Even before you begin drinking, you should arrange for a trusted friend to be the designated driver. In the case that the designated driver also becomes intoxicated, it is important that you arrange to take a taxi. Never allow a drunk person to drive, instead take away his or her keys and call for alternative transportation.

If you see someone who you suspect is drunk, and they exhibit signs of intoxication while driving such as making wide turns, weaving, swerving, breaking erratically, turning abruptly etc., call 911 and contact authorities immediately. Also, make sure to avoid the driver while on the road to ensure your own safety.

Using Your Phone Driving while using your cellphone is one of the most dangerous things you can do because during those few seconds that your attention is diverted to your phone, a major accident could occur. So, make sure you don’t text, use the internet on your phone, or receive calls while you drive to do your part to prevent avoidable accidents.

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Things to Avoid Driving isn’t always a relaxing experience. There are certain actions that can be both an annoyance and a danger to you while on the road. These things are often avoidable if you make sure to take the necessary steps towards prevention.

Car Accidents The best way to avoid car accidents is to ensure that your vehicle is safe to drive and will not cause you any problems. To do this, you only need to regularly check that your brakes are functioning properly, your tires are inflated and not worn out and that the steering and suspensions are checked by a mechanic and will not fail while you drive, especially at high speeds.

Wasting Gas As the price of gas goes up, you may begin to start looking for ways to save on those expensive trips to the pump. Saving on gas is something that is possible if you take a few steps towards ensuring that you waste less gas. Some of the ways you can start saving on gas are: not using air conditioning, not leaving your engine running and not driving above 60 mph. These things are preventable and not necessary for you to drive, therefore you can quickly reduce the amount of gas you waste. Another way to save on gas is to make sure that your vehicle is functioning properly; you can do this by checking that your tires are properly inflated, your engine is well tuned and that your octane level is the correct amount according to your vehicle’s needs.

Aggressive Driving Aggressive driving and drivers are both things that should be avoided to prevent any on-road accidents or incidents. Aggressive driving is categorized as exhibiting behaviors such as tailgating, verbal or physically harassing another driver and preventing another driver from merging or passing. However, if you are an aggressive driver, you are putting others at risk every time you do any of the above behaviors. If you encounter a frustrating situation on the

road, instead of becoming aggressive, take a moment to breathe and relax before moving on.

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Official Virginia DMV Forms

Vehicle Registration Application

License Plate Application

Antique License Plate Certificate

Vehicle Registration Refund Application

Address Change Request Form

Driver’s License and Identification Card Application

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DMV Hours and Locations

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles has offices conveniently located across the state. Additionally, the department has a plethora of services accessible via the website, whereby making a trip to a DMV office location unnecessary in many cases.

Have you ever visited the DMV and realized that you forgot a document? Now you can avoid that and save the trip by using the online services. Residents will be able to process various transactions online including the following:

Vehicle registration renewal

Insurance verification

Plate purchase

Reporting a vehicle sold or traded

Souvenir plate orders

Title replacement

If you have any questions, contact the VA DMV at the following numbers:

(804) 497-7100

(TTY) 1-800-272-9268

Virginia DMV Customer Services Center regular business hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

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