Concept Proposed by Rep. Frey To Streamline DMV, Licensing Passes Committee

HARTFORD – State Rep. John Frey (R-111) and the Finance Committee voted to unanimously move legislation to the full legislature that will save taxpayer money by extending the time before renewal for certain DMV processes and licensing.

Originally a concept put forth by Rep. Frey, HB 7201 – An Act Concerning the Convenience of Acquiring Motor Vehicle Licenses and Registrations - will allow driver’s license and identity card holders the option of renewing their credentials for an eight-year period, allow drivers the option to renew their vehicle registrations for a three-year period; and requires the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) establish criteria to determine whether a driver’s license or ID card holder is eligible to renew without appearing in person.

Earlier during the committee process, Rep. Frey proposed the separate concepts that led to this inclusive bill as individual pieces of legislation.  He proposed bill 5930 - An Act Concerning the Duration of a Motor Vehicle Operator’s License and Motor Vehicle Registration , bill 6974 - An Act Concerning the Duration of Motor Vehicle Registration - and bill 6975 - An Act Concerning the Duration of a Motor Vehicle Operator’s License.

“Extending the time between mandatory license and registration renewal will save money for citizens and the state, streamline processes and reduce waiting times for other DMV services and transactions,” Rep. Frey, a cosponsor of the bill, said. “I’m pleased this common sense, money-saving measure made it through committee and I’m hopeful it will be passed by the General Assembly and signed into law this session.”

Current Connecticut law requires license renewal every 6 years, and vehicle registration renewal every two years. Several states issue operator licenses for greater than a six year period, and New York State currently offers the longest period between renewals at ten years.            

The 2019 legislative session ends at midnight on Wednesday, June 5.