DMV extends Wednesday closings

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - The Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles announced the agency will remain closed each week on Wednesday through March 17, 2010.

The closings are a result of a vast overhaul of the DMV's computer systems. Each Wednesday, the impacted DMV locations will work to complete extensive cleanup of data and to provide further training for DMV staff and its many interface partners.

In order to complete the installation of the new system, DMV branch locations in Woonsocket and Wakefield will continue to be shut down on Wednesdays, as they have been since December .

However, road exams will continue to be offered on all weekdays from the DMV's headquarters in Pawtucket. Additionally, the DMV safety and emissions garage on Melrose St. in Providence will remain open Monday through Friday. Transactions may also be completed on-line, at local AAA offices , and through the mail.

Sally Strachan, DMV Administrator, expressed her appreciation to the public during this critically important training period. "The new DMV computer system, and later the opening of the new DMV headquarters, will allow our employees to better service our customers. I would like to thank the public for their understanding and patience during this time. I am confident the computer system upgrade will enhance the customer experience at the DMV."

When fully-operable, the new system, titled RIMS, will be a sweeping upgrade of all DMV computer hardware and software sytems. A single database will link all transactions from all of the state's DMV branches. In addition, RIMS will integrate all existing DMV driver information databases and allow for credit card transactions.

The following is a list of adjusted hours for all DMV locations:

Pawtucket

100 Main Street
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday,
8:30 am - 3:15 pm
(removes Wednesday hours)

Middletown
73 Valley Road
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday,
8:30 am - 3:30 pm
(removes Wednesday hours)

Wakefield
Stedman Government Center
Tower Hill Road
Thursday & Friday, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
(changes days of operation from Wednesday and Thursday)

Warren
1 Joyce Street
Tuesday, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
(no change)

Warwick Express
Rhode Island Mall
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday,
12:00 pm-7:30 pm
Saturday, 12:00 pm - 4:30 pm
(removes Wednesday hours)

Woonsocket
217 Pond St. (Dept. Labor & Training Bldg)
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday,
8:30 am - 3:30 pm
(reinstates Monday hours and removes Wednesday hours)

Operator Control
Harrington Hall, Pastore Campus, Cranston
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday,
8:30 am – 3:30 pm
(removes Wednesday hours)

Safety and Emissions
325 Melrose St., Providence
Garage: Monday – Friday, 7:00 am – 3:30 pm
Office: Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
(no change)

Main Road Test Site
Road Exam Check-In Site, parking lot across from Lynch Ice Arena, 25 Andrew Ferland Way,
Pawtucket
Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
(no change)