Heather Curtis
WMAL.com

WASHINGTON (WMAL) – Virginia’s Department of Motor Vehicles is having financial problems, and Virginians will likely have to help the department get out of the red.

The department reported a budget shortfall of $16 million.

Spokesperson Brandy Brubaker said the department has done a number of things over the years to cut costs, including sending out electronic renewal reminders and not filling vacant positions, but the measures haven’t been enough.

The DMV has proposed increasing fees to close the budget gap.

“Some of our fees have not been adjusted for inflation this century,” said Brubaker.

The department’s proposed budget fixes include increasing title fees from $10 to 20, increasing the driver’s license fee by $10 and allowing it to keep more of the money it collects.

Brubaker said the department collects $2.7 billion for the state each year but is only allowed to keep $243 million.

The DMV’s financial troubles are being blamed on a pay raise for state employees, increasing health care costs for employees and fees charged when customers pay with credit cards.

The department will work with the governor and general assembly to come up with an agreeable solution.
Copyright 2017 by WMAL.com. All Rights Reserved. (PHOTO: Virginia’s DMV)