Is DMV.org Legit?
DMV.org isn’t an official website connected to state department of motor vehicle offices, and using it can put you at risk of receiving spam emails, calls, and texts.
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You may have stumbled across DMV.org while searching for your local department of motor vehicles (DMV) website. Your local DMV website will have the most accurate and updated information for your vehicle needs. DMV.org doesn’t provide any DMV services or useful information besides the physical addresses of official DMV offices.
Here’s what you should know about DMV.org, including why to avoid it and how to identify the key differences between official and unofficial DMV sites.
What is DMV.org?
DMV.org is a privately owned website that claims to help drivers with a variety of vehicle needs, including registration, license renewal, and finding their respective DMV sites. The website has no affiliation with traditional state DMVs. Most official DMV websites have URLs that end in “.gov” — so that can be a good indicator if you’re on an official website.
It also offers a car insurance comparison tool that redirects users to one of a few different quote-comparison websites to complete the process. These sites include AgileRates, Cheap Car Insurance USA, SmartFinancial, and CheapestAutoInsurance. But it doesn’t offer actual quotes on its site.
Assessing DMV.org’s accreditation and authenticity
DMV.org isn’t an official DMV website. The company clearly states on its website that it’s unaffiliated with the real DMV. It has a large disclaimer at the top of the site that reads: “DMV.ORG is a privately owned website that is not owned or operated by any state government agency.”
Despite the disclaimer, past users have made complaints on the company’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile about paying for services from DMV.org and affiliated partner companies before realizing it's not an official website for their local DMV. Users have complained about not receiving any refund or being able to get in touch with DMV.org, as you can see below.1
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Under its visitor agreement, DMV.org states that “the information and features included in this site have been compiled from a variety of sources, are for informational purposes only, and are subject to change at any time without notice.”2
DMV.org’s privacy policy explains that it records many of your actions while on the site and provides it to advertisers and other partners. Know that if you fill out any forms, numerous organizations will likely gain access to your contact information, such as your phone number and name. You may receive unwanted spam through email or text messages as a result.3
Services offered by DMV.org
DMV.org’s main selling point is “simplifying the DMV,” which the company states on its homepage. Some of the services it claims to offer include driver’s license and registration renewal, car insurance comparison, address changes, practice tests, and driving record access. But DMV.org doesn’t actually offer these services. Instead, DMV.org links customers to third-party companies that may charge unnecessary fees that your local, real DMV won’t.
DMV.org is essentially a middleman that collects money for online services the real DMV doesn’t charge for. You should avoid it in every instance. For example, if you need to renew your license, get a Real ID, schedule an appointment, or pay for one or more tickets, navigate to your local DMV’s real website instead of DMV.org.
The only helpful information that DMV.org provides is the physical address of DMV offices in your area. If you need any actual DMV services, you should navigate directly to the official DMV website for your state.
Where to find official state DMVs
The following table provides the official names/titles of motor vehicle authorities in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., as well as phone numbers and official websites. When you’re looking for information about your state’s motor vehicle requirements, the state’s website is the best resource.
User experiences on DMV.org
DMV.org earned a 4.1 out of 5 rating from Trustpilot, despite many bad customer reviews. The company only has a handful of reviews on its BBB Business Profile. Most people who have used the site have had an overwhelmingly negative user experience, citing frustration at confusing the site with the real DMV site.
The following review sums up a large amount of user sentiment and complaints toward the site.
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The site is inherently misleading, even though it has a disclaimer. Many reviewers on Trustpilot even seem to confuse DMV.org with their local DMV or Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) branch, as some people cite customer service complaints or positive experiences following DMV visits, like with the review below.
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While DMV.org isn’t a phishing ploy or scam website, it doesn’t offer anything that a real DMV can’t provide for free.
Comparing DMV.org to official DMV websites
DMV.org doesn’t have any connection to official state DMV offices or websites. Using DMV.org instead of your state’s official DMV website doesn’t have any benefits, though some drawbacks exist. This includes unnecessary fees, sharing of information with third parties, and wasting your time.
DMV.org FAQs
Still not sure if DMV.org is right for you? Check out these answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the site.
What is DMV.org, and what services does it offer?
DMV.org is essentially an advertising website that directs users to third-party sites to pay for services that the DMV offers for free. It claims to offer license and registration renewal, car insurance comparison, and practice tests, but it doesn’t actually offer any of these services on its website.
Is DMV.org a legitimate and authorized DMV website?
No. DMV.org isn’t a legitimate and authorized DMV website. As it states on its website: “DMV.ORG is a privately owned website that is not owned or operated by any state government agency.” You should use your state’s real DMV website for any driver services you may need.
Have there been any reports of scams or fraudulent activities associated with DMV.org?
No. While there haven’t been any official findings of scams, fraud, or identity theft with DMV.org, you should still avoid the site. Instead, go to your state’s actual DMV site or physical location for any driver services.
Does DMV.org have any affiliations or partnerships with official DMV entities?
No. DMV.org doesn’t have any affiliations or partnerships with official DMV entities. It’s a privately owned website and doesn’t have any association with the state DMVs.
Are transactions made through DMV.org guaranteed safe and secure?
Yes. DMV.org is safe to use. But you’ll likely get unwanted spam from third-party vendors due to the site’s information-sharing policies outlined in its privacy policy.
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