Community Corner

DMV Makes Registration Process Easier in Stamford

By Barbara Heins: 

Beginning July 1, the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles will allow more than 200 outlets statewide to do checks on vehicle identification numbers. 

Only seven DMV offices now perform that service, according to a release issued by DMV.

In transferring the checks to nearly 230 emissions testing stations and other garages, customers will have many more convenient locations. VIN verifications, which cost $10, are required for any vehicle being registered in Connecticut for the first time and not needing an emissions test.

“We are continually working to make DMV more accessible and provide services that are easy for our customers to use. This is another in those efforts,” DMV Commissioner Melody A. Currey said in the statement.

Beginning Monday, VIN verifications for passenger cars, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, and trailers will only be performed at the emissions test stations and certain other garages. A complete list of these VIN verification stations can be found at ct.gov/dmv/vinlist

In Stamford, there are three emissions testing stations: the Firestone Tire and Service Center at 892 Main Street, Sotires Auto Diagnostic Center at 62 Camp Avenue and Hank Mays Goodyear at 168 Magee Avenue.

Some exceptions will exist for certain vehicles. For instance, vehicles being registered for the first time in Connecticut needing an emissions test also get VIN checks done with the test.

Also, a smaller list of vehicles that have special manufacturing details will still need to go to DMV inspection lanes in Wethersfield and Hamden, according to the DMV. Those vehicles include abandoned, amphibious, composite vehicles (Dune buggies or three-wheeled vehicles), former military vehicles, Grey Market (imported vehicles that may not conform to U.S. federal safety standards), and vehicles with an altered, missing or undetectable VINs.

VIN verification is a procedure for an official check that a vehicle identification number matches the paperwork for that vehicle. Many states require VIN verification as part of the vehicle registration process. All road-worthy vehicles in the United States are required to have a unique VIN, riveted or stamped on the body. This number is included on titles, registrations and other paperwork. Verifications also discourage crime because thieves cannot easily trade in stolen vehicles and VIN checks are used to discover stolen vehicles.


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