FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
J uly 23, 2014
CONTACT: Matt Dunlap
(207) 626-8400

Maine Secretary of State Matt Dunlap Announces Opening of New Bureau of Motor Vehicle Office in Rumford to Replace Location in Mexico

Rapid deployment of resources designed to minimize disruptions in customer service

AUGUSTA, Maine – The anticipated relocation of western Maine’s most important Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) office will finally become reality on August 4th, 2014.  In order to facilitate the move, the current location at 110 Main Street in Mexico will be closed on Thursday, July 31th and Friday, August 1st so that equipment and computers can be transferred and established in the new location at nearby 65 Lincoln Avenue in Rumford.  The new office will be open for business on Monday, August 4th.

The move to Rumford has been years in the making, said Dunlap. The Mexico office has served us well, but its location in the flood plain of the Androscoggin River has been a concern for a long time, and weve been looking to relocate for several years.

Those efforts appeared to be stymied by a lack of suitable locations, and a broader analysis of options had begun when the local legislative delegation, advised of the possibility that the branch office may leave the region, began actively assisting.  The push for a solution was led by Rep. Sheryl Briggs, D-Mexico.

Sheryl simply would not give up, said Dunlap. But for her efforts, western Maine might have lost the branch in this area. We didnt want to leave, but we were out of options. Rep. Briggs and Sen. John Patrick were critical to getting this move completed.

Maine’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles has offices in thirteen locations across Maine to serve the public in the issuance of driver’s licenses and identification cards, vehicle registrations and titles, and commercial vehicle services as well as disabled parking placards and a host of other services. Locations of offices must be suitable for road tests for all classes of vehicles, have space for written tests and other exams, and house stock and hearings as well as office locations for department law enforcement.

It takes a couple of days to complete moving all the materials in a branch office, said Dunlap. We want to make sure the public has sufficient notice to plan their business with us accordingly; however, if people need service, we can find a way to help, and we encourage folks to contact us.

In addition to the thirteen branch office locations, many motor vehicle services including license and registration renewals are offered online at: http://www3.maine.gov/sos/online_services/index.html