PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — DMV sites are slowly re-opening in our area, after Governor Ralph Northam ordered them to close at the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
On Monday, the Norfolk DMV on Poplar Hall Drive joined four other locations in Hampton Roads to reopen for appointment-only services.
Hampton Roads DMV locations
Open 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Hampton – Roanoke Ave.
- Newport News – Patrick Henry Drive
- Norfolk (Military Circle) – Poplar Hall Drive
- Portsmouth – Bickford Pwy.
- Virginia Beach – Buckner Blvd.
More than a dozen WAVY viewers have called or emailed with concerns, saying they are having a hard time scheduling an appointment at the DMV.
Related: Phase 2 in Virginia reopens gyms, indoor restaurant seating
DMV will look different, as employees try to maintain social distance inside. That means a limited number of people will be able to make appointments. Plexiglass is up and every other stall is being used to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The five centers currently open in our area will only offer select services like drivers licenses, titles, registrations, disabled parking permits or vital records.
Laura Clifton, of Norfolk, said she lost her license and tried to make an appointment. But when she went to the ‘DMV schedule appointment’ page on the website, it appeared no appointments were available for the next six months. She then tried all of the local locations with no luck, so she reached out to WAVY.com.
“I think they should allow you to actually make appointments. They don’t need to, they can’t tell you to go on a website and make an appointment and that is impossible.”
Jessica Cowadin, the spokesperson for the DMV said new online appointment system will only show one month of available slots at a time. She explains more appointments are added to the calendar, every day.
She adds DMV is still trying to figure out how to safely offer the driver’s test for people trying to get their license.
However, when WAVY.com checked the DMV website the morning of June 9, there were no appointments available at any local DMVs. More DMV locations will reopen as they have plexiglass installed. The goal is to have all locations open by the end of July.
10 On Your Side asked if the new system will be updated to avoid confusion. We are still waiting on a response to that question. However, we were sent this “how to” guide.
