# DMV vs BMV **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 9, 2001, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dmv-vs-bmv/75609 "2001-08-09T16:01:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Spyderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e79b87/32.png) [@Spyderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spyderman)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2001, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dmv-vs-bmv/75609/1 "2001-08-09T16:01:41Z")
[ul][li] **D** epartment Of **M** otor **V** ehicles **B** ureau Of **M** otor **V** ehicles[/ul][/li] This I know, but what is the difference between the two? Is is dependant on the state? ---
**Author:** ![JeffB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeffb/32/188_2.png) [@JeffB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JeffB)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2001, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dmv-vs-bmv/75609/2 "2001-08-09T16:27:54Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Spyderman \* > **[ul][li]Department Of Motor**V\*\*ehicles [_] **B** ureau Of **M** otor **V** ehicles[/ul][/li] > This I know, but what is the difference between the two? Is is dependant on the state? \*\* It is state dependent. A very brief search only turned up three states – Ohio, Indiana, Main – with a BMV. Most states have a DMV. ---
**Author:** ![Jargent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/48db29/32.png) [@Jargent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jargent)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2001, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dmv-vs-bmv/75609/3 "2001-08-09T18:01:42Z")
I believe Maryland has an MVA, Motor Vehicle Administration. And I’m looking at a New Jersey license which has MVS, Motor Vehicle Services. But their automated website is [http://www.accessdmv.com](http://www.accessdmv.com), so it can be called a DMV too. But bottom line, JeffB is right, it’s all state-specific and they’re all the same. ---
**Author:** ![Montfort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Montfort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Montfort)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2001, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dmv-vs-bmv/75609/4 "2001-08-09T18:04:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Jargent \* > **I believe Maryland has an MVA, Motor Vehicle Administration.** That is correct. ---
**Author:** ![caveman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/caveman/32/7242_2.png) [@caveman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caveman)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2001, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dmv-vs-bmv/75609/5 "2001-08-09T18:06:19Z")
Here in Texas, we just have a Department of Public Safety ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2001, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dmv-vs-bmv/75609/6 "2001-08-09T18:11:47Z")
Does DPW exist in all states (under that acronym)? If I get lots of “what does DPW stand for” responses I guess that means no. ---
**Author:** ![Jargent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/48db29/32.png) [@Jargent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jargent)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2001, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dmv-vs-bmv/75609/7 "2001-08-09T18:17:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Attrayant \* > \*\*Does DPW exist in all states (under that acronym)? If I get lots of “what does DPW stand for” responses I guess that means no. \*\* Ummm…Department of Public Works maybe? Dunno if we’ve got one… ---
**Author:** ![Flymaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c4cdca/32.png) [@Flymaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flymaster)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2001, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dmv-vs-bmv/75609/8 "2001-08-09T18:28:01Z")
Mass has an RMV (Registry of Motor Vehicles) and CITIES have a DPW. I don’t know what the state equivalent of the DPW is, but I think it’s the DPW as well. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2001, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dmv-vs-bmv/75609/9 "2001-08-09T18:54:25Z")
Is North Carolina the only state where you can’t get your drivers license and your license plates in the same place? I remember being really weirded out by that when I moved here from South Carolina. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Zero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@Saint\_Zero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Zero)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2001, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dmv-vs-bmv/75609/10 "2001-08-09T19:26:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by KneadToKnow \* > \*\*Is North Carolina the only state where you can’t get your drivers license and your license plates in the same place? I remember being really weirded out by that when I moved here from South Carolina. \*\* Welcome to Mississippi. When you move here, you get your license at your local State Highway Patrol Office. When you get the plate for your car, you travel to the courthouse and head to the Department of Tax Revenue, Tag Division. Have fun. They provide KY at the door, and the people behind the counter are professionals at stuffing that long pole up nether reigions safely and with a minimum of pain. ---
**Author:** ![waterj2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/858c86/32.png) [@waterj2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/waterj2)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2001, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dmv-vs-bmv/75609/11 "2001-08-09T23:26:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Flymaster \* > \*\*Mass has an RMV (Registry of Motor Vehicles) and CITIES have a DPW. I don’t know what the state equivalent of the DPW is, but I think it’s the DPW as well. \*\* Which reminds me, I have to go to the RMV tomorrow to renew my driver’s license. For some reason, it costs $33.75 to get them to give me a new friggin’ piece of plastic. What the hell’s up with that? ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2001, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dmv-vs-bmv/75609/12 "2001-08-09T23:32:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by KneadToKnow \* > \*\*Is North Carolina the only state where you can’t get your drivers license and your license plates in the same place? I remember being really weirded out by that when I moved here from South Carolina. \*\* Georgia does this as well. To switch your license from another state, you take your old license, proof of citizenship and $10($8 if you’re an organ donor) and go to the DMV. You used to be able to do this at Kroger express license centers, but you can’t anymore. For tags, you get your emissions inspection, proof of insurance, and head to your county tag office, to pay your taxes and get tags that are valid until your next birthday. From what I remember in Tennessee, they operate in a similar manner. License in one place, tags in another. ---
**Author:** ![Flymaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c4cdca/32.png) [@Flymaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flymaster)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2001, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dmv-vs-bmv/75609/13 "2001-08-10T03:11:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by waterj2 \* > \*\*Which reminds me, I have to go to the RMV tomorrow to renew my driver’s license. For some reason, it costs $33.75 to get them to give me a new friggin’ piece of plastic. What the hell’s up with that? \*\* I’m pretty sure there’s an eye test, or something. Plus, they have to charge SOMETHING for the giant screw job you’re going to get. ---
**Author:** ![DPWhite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d26b3c/32.png) [@DPWhite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPWhite)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2001, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dmv-vs-bmv/75609/14 "2001-08-10T03:37:32Z")
Or Daniel Paul White. Uh oh, all three names. I’m in trouble now!