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The Ulster County Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office reopened its doors Thursday (February 19) following a temporary closure due to a statewide computer system upgrade.
Located in the Ulster County Office building on Fair Street in Kingston, the DMV is now operating from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The office had been closed since Friday (February 13) when the New York State DMV began implementing the first phase of a multi-year modernization project.
"The system update has gone smoothly and we expect to be fully functional and back to normal," County Clerk Taylor Bruck told the Daily Freeman. However, Bruck urged residents to be patient in the coming weeks as staff adjusts to the new system.
"We're operating in an entirely new system and I fully expect there to be hiccups while the staff gets used to the new system," Bruck added. "We're doing our best to familiarize ourselves with the new workflow."
The statewide upgrade required the migration of approximately 30 million records to replace technology systems, some of which were more than 50 years old. The state DMV contracted with software company FAST Enterprises, LLC, which has implemented similar systems in over 20 other states.
For those planning to visit the DMV, appointments can be made through the county clerk's website. The DMV mobile unit has also resumed operations, with scheduled stops in Plattekill on Thursday and Shawangunk on Friday.
Residents seeking more information can email dmv@ulstercountyny.gov or visit the New York State DMV website.