DMV Legislative Update: Key Changes for Fuel Dealers and Vehicle Owners
What You Need to Know About the Latest DMV Bill
The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has introduced a new legislative proposal that includes several important updates impacting vehicle registration, licensing, and fees. While the bill is still awaiting an official bill number, here's a breakdown of key provisions that could affect your business and customers:
Key Highlights:
• Electric Vehicle (EV) Updates: The bill expands the definition of “pleasure car” to clarify that plug-in electric, battery electric, and plug-in hybrid vehicles, are included. This will not impact fees.
• Duplicate Registration at No Cost: Vehicle owners can now obtain a duplicate registration free of charge by printing it directly from their MYDMV account.
• EV Infrastructure Fee Clarification: The bill clarifies that state and municipal vehicles, as well as volunteer fire and rescue vehicles, are exempt from the EV Infrastructure fees.
• Veterans’ Exemption for Registration: Veterans claiming an exemption for registration no longer need to pay the Clean Air fee, easing costs for qualifying individuals.
• Reduced Fees for SSI/SSDI Recipients: The proposal introduces a reduced driver’s license fee for individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), aligning with existing reductions for non-driver IDs.
• Motorcycle Learner’s Permits: Applicants can now request a duplicate motorcycle learner’s permit at no cost from their MYDMV account. Plus, all motorcycle learner’s permits will be required to have a photograph.
• CDL and Junior Operator Updates:
• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) permits will now require a photo.
• Junior operators with valid licenses from other states can transfer their license to Vermont without retesting.
• Fee Changes and Refunds:
• No More Scheduling Fee: The previously proposed scheduling fee for regular road exams has been removed.
• Refund Flexibility: The bill allows more flexibility in refunding registration fees when a vehicle is a total loss, with a streamlined process for cancellations and refunds.
• Tax Changes: The "taxable cost" of vehicles has been based on JD Power values for a few years, replacing the previous reference to NADA brings the statute in alignment with DMV’s practices. Additionally, the time frame to apply for diesel tax refunds will be reduced from 33 months to one year.
• Other Administrative Changes:
• Photo ID Requirement: All regular learner’s permits applied for in person will include a photograph.
• Bulk Record Request Fee: A new bulk electronic record request fee of $0.303 is established.
• Truck Registration Fees: Updates to truck registration fees will align with current DMV practices but will not result in an increase in fees.
These changes, if passed, will streamline DMV processes and make it easier for vehicle owners to manage their registrations and licensing.