DMV Hiring Process: Job Application, Interviews, and Employment

This post provides detailed information on the DMV hiring process, including the job application and interview stages that candidates seeking employment at the agency must successfully complete to be employed.

The DMV Hiring Process

The Department of Motor Vehicles recruitment process involves the following stages:

DMV Job Application Process

Candidates must first take and pass an examination for the classification in which they are interested in order to apply for a DMV or State civil service position.

When you locate an examination that interests you, establish an account, complete your application, and ship it to the postal address listed on the examination bulletin.

You may be able to apply for and either take or arrange an examination online in some situations. The examination bulletin’s “Filing Instructions” section will state whether or not this is an option.

Jobs at DMV

DMV is a state level agency across the 50 states in the United States. Some of the positions available are:

1. Customer Service Representative
2. Environmental Program Specialist
3. Driver Control Analyst
4. Driver Licensing Manager
5. Library Clerk.

DMV Job Assessment Test

If you fulfill the minimal requirements (also known as minimum qualifications) for the Department of Motor Vehicles test for which you submitted, you will be notified that you have been approved.

You will be notified again with the time, date, and place of the test, or you will be able to take it online.

The sort of examination to be administered will be specified in the examination bulletin (e.g., written test, oral interview, or training and experience evaluation).

The test bulletin will also specify what topics will be covered on the exam in the section under “Knowledge and Abilities.”

This is a list of the information, skills, and abilities that applicants must have in order to pass the test.

After passing the exam, your name will be added to the employment (eligible) list, which is organized by score and rank.

Tips for Passing the DMV Exams

Here are tips to help you pass the DMV exam:

1. Be prepared
2. Be organized
3. Practice the DMV exam in a simulated environment

• Consult the Exam Bulletin to prepare:

Knowledge and Abilities section of the exam will include information about the types of question that you will face.

You can check the state that issues its exams at DMV practice tests.

Some states may have excluded certain topics from their exam but that does not mean you are out of luck if you want to prepare by yourself, as there are some private test preparation sites.

• Study

• Understand the DMV test structure

In most states, you must take the written exam in order to be considered for a job at DMV.

• Take the test with confidence.

• After passing the DMV exam, be patient!

You will hear back from your state DMVs within seven to 10 business days after their examination date. The time frame is listed on your study materials or on each individual state DMV website.

DMV Interview Process

You may be contacted for a recruiting interview after applying for a position. These interviews are held in order to discover the candidate who is most fit for the position.

• Phone call/Screening

Usually, a DMV staff uses the phone to interview candidates for a position. The phone interview consists of the staff asking you questions about your background, experience, and interests.

Some candidates are given a written test via mail in order to determine their suitability for the position.

You will be notified if you pass the screening, but you cannot assume that means that your candidacy for the position has been approved.

It simply indicates that you have made it past this stage of the process.

• Group Interview

A DMV staff may set up a group interview. This is a meeting with multiple candidates for the same position, where the staff asks questions about your experience and suitability for the position.

At times, several candidates are interviewed at once by a DMV staff member outside of their normal office space.

For example, if you are applying for an administrative position, the airport might be used to hold interviews.

• On-site Interview

If you pass the group interview, you may be contacted to schedule an on-site interview. The on-site interview is a focused, one-on-one meeting with a DMV/state staff member to determine your suitability for the position.

(Note: This is not your final interview. More steps can and will be added)

How Long Does DMV Hiring Process Take?

You will hear from the DMV within 10 business days of the close of application (usually listed on your DMV test bulletin).

Major DMV Careers and Jobs

The major job and career positions available at the Department of Motor Vehicles include:

• Driver Control Analyst

Description: The Driver Control Analyst (DCA) provides administrative and technical support to brand new drivers and licensing applicants.

The DCA is responsible for issuing licenses and ID cards to drivers, conducting driving records checks, performing standard vehicle inspections for the state, maintaining driving logs and coordinating driver certification courses.

• Highway Safety Coordinator

Description: Highway Safety Coordinator (HSC) is responsible for reducing highway crashes and improving highways, roadways and traffic safety.

The HSC plans and implements programs geared to improve road conditions (i.e. potholes, faulty signs), aids motorists, and encourages safe driving habits in the community.

• Library Clerk

Description: The Library Clerk handles a transfer of information between a library or information center and its patrons.

This may include ordering, cataloging, and processing library items. They may also be involved in the development of new library information centers, or the maintenance and coordination of current facilities.

• Customer Service Representative

Description: Customer Service Representatives provide assistance to the public on DMV services, registration and titling of vehicles, driver licensing issues and state highway safety issues.

Additionally, they provide lost title services as well as account and employee management for their jurisdictions.

• Administrative Analyst

Description: Administrative Analysts (AA) are responsible for handling the processing and routing of DMV documents, files, and paperwork.

As a result, they may be responsible for supervising or training employees, or managing the departmental budget.

They are also required to ensure that employees are trained to obtain information about a customer’s DMV records, assists the public in the completion of forms and process requests for records.

What to Expect Working at DMV

DMV offers benefits like health care coverage, paid holidays, retirement contributions and others.

What some Employees Dislike Working at DMV

Some employees find that working at DMV is a difficult job. There are long hours, and working at a state’s DMV can be very stressful.

DMV Profile

A motor vehicle department (DMV) is a government entity in charge of motor vehicle registration and driver licensing.

DMVs are often structured at the state or provincial level in nations such as Canada, Mexico, and the United States, however, in other regions such as Europe DMVs are organized nationwide.

The term “Department of Motor Vehicles” is preferred by the Uniform Vehicle Code.

Although the abbreviation “DMV” is most generally used to designate the agency (where it exists), other designations are used in different jurisdictions.

The position of a motor vehicle department or division within the framework of a state’s government varies greatly.

Hawaii is the only U.S. state where no portion of the state government handles DMV duties; county governments handle automobile registration and driver licensing.

In certain areas, in addition to administering the written and practical driving exams required to obtain a driver’s license, DMVs also oversee private driving schools and their instructors.

Every DMV publishes their state’s driver’s manual, which all drivers are supposed to know and follow.

Prior to awarding a permit or license, knowledge of the driver’s manual is checked.

Conclusion

This post has discussed the DMV hiring process, interview, and employment. You will have to take your DMV test carefully, pass it and apply for the post that you want.

We have shared useful tips to help you ace that test.