DMV opens new e-Grant portal for safety initiatives

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The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles is inviting residents and organizations across the Commonwealth to apply for funding through the DMV’s new online eGrant portal.

The new portal is intended to make the grant process easier by allowing applicants to:

  • submit and manage applications in one place
  • upload documents securely
  • track progress in real time
  • streamline reporting

These grants are intended to empower community leaders from small towns to urban neighborhoods to create real solutions where they are needed most.

This year’s funding cycle will emphasize:

  • improving safety on rural roads
  • protecting pedestrians and bicyclists
  • reducing serious injuries and fatalities statewide

Grants start at $5,000 and previous projects have grown into youth-led safe driving campaigns, creative pedestrian safety messaging, and targeted law enforcement efforts that removed dangerous drivers from the road.

Interested organizations are encouraged to apply before the February 28th deadline with the project funding period ranging from October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027.

For more information, click here.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. 

DMV warns of a texting scam in the region

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The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) warns citizens that a scam involving traffic tickets and charges has been making the rounds.

Text messages claiming to be from the Department of Motor Vehicles or DMV are stating that you owe unpaid fines.

The text will tell you that you urgently need to pay a fine or your license and registration will be suspended.

The text will likely contain a link that should not hit.

DMV does not send such messages ever and you are advised to not respond in anyway.

You can always call DMV to verify the authenticity of the text and possible fine.

After receiving a text like this report it using your phone’s option or forward it to SPAM using the number 7726 and then delete it.

Never give any personal information out to anyone you don’t know.

Text of this sort can always be reported to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

LCSO opens an investigation into a fatal motorcycle crash

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO0 reports the opening of an investigation of  a fatal motorcycle crash in Ashburn.

At approximately 7 p.m. April 1 deputies found a motorcyclist was injured when he was struck by a vehicle and had to be transported to the hospital with life threatening injuries.

Just before 7 a.m. April 2 the motorcyclist succumbed to his injuries and passed away.

No other injuries were reported in the incident.

The LCSO Crash Reconstruction team is investigating the incident and asking witnesses to come forward if they haven’t been interviewed yet.

The names of either party involved in the crash are being withheld at this time.

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (VDMV) reminds motorists as the weather improves be extra cautious and aware of motorcyclists.

Be alert, allow extra following distance so everyone gets home safely.

More motorcycle safety information is found here.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

DMV begins Highway Safety Fund Grant process

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The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles will begin accepting applications for Highway Safety Fund Grants following this month’s workshops.

Virginia based organizations like nonprofits, colleges, or local government agencies can apply for funds to implement campaigns and programs aimed at preventing traffic fatalities, injuries, and crashes.

Some of the recent grant-funded projects include:

  • Vision Zero Youth which works towards a goal of zero pedestrian and bike crashes for children
  • The Richmond Ambulance Authority’s Rider Alert program which provides free identification cards to help first responders accurately assist motorcyclists
  • DRIVE SMART Virginia’s drunk driving prevention efforts

Interested groups must attend a grant application training workshop before submitting their application in February by contacting the DMV program manager in your area.

To learn more about the DMV’s grant programs, click here.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Safe driving jingle contest opens for Virginia teens

YOVASO, or Youth of Virginia Speak Out About Traffic Safety, is encouraging Virginia youth ages 11-19 to help everyone jingle their way to a safe holiday by creating a safe driving song or tune for a statewide competition with cash prizes up to $500.

The Jingle Your Way to a Safe Holiday: Buckle Up and Celebrate Responsibly Contest is now under way and accepting submissions until 11:59 pm on December 7th.

The safe driving jingle must be submitted as a video and no longer than 30 seconds.

The winning jingle in the high school division will receive a $500 cash prize with additional cash prizes for the top 3 high school and middle school participants.

Winners will be chosen by public vote on the Holiday Campaign webpage.

The contest is an effort to reduce teen fatalities during a high risk period for young drivers.

Over the past three years in the month of December, 17 teens have died and 1,235 were injured in motor vehicle crashes.

During that time period, teen drivers have accounted for an additional 4,245 crashes and 14 fatal crashes.

YOVASO is a peer-to-peer education group that advocates for safe driving and is supported by the Virginia State Police and DMV.

A link for more information or to enter the contest is available here. 

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Click It or Ticket Campaign begins

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and local law enforcement are teaming up for the annual “Click It or Ticket” Campaign November 19-30.

So far this year, fatalities among drivers and passengers who were not wearing a seatbelt are down 12% from last year.

Of the fatalities, 73% were male and 20% in their 20s.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that wearing a seatbelt can reduce the chances of a fatal crash by 55%.

DMV Commissioner Gerald Lackey said, “The good news is that fewer people who weren’t wearing a seatbelt were killed in crashes so far this year, but we can’t become complacent.”

The DMV provided a few refreshers to help make sure you start your holiday journey safely.

Those include making sure any children are buckled securely and in the correct safety seat, making sure the seat belt clicks and is tight across your hips and chest, as well as keeping your seatbelt on the whole trip, every time.

No matter how close you are to home.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Are you prepared for winter weather?

Traffic Update

Days are getting shorter and colder temperatures are moving in.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offer safety tips during winter travel and recommends keeping an emergency supply kit in the vehicle this winter to stay safe. 

VDOT encourages all motorist to plan ahead for traveling during winter weather and to observe extreme caution when on the roadways.

Before travel, motorists should inspect their vehicle tires and fluid levels and clear all ice and snow from the windows, windshield and mirrors, which could block visibility.

You should also follow forecasts and prepare for any unpredictable conditions. 

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

You booze & cruise, you lose

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The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles would like to remind you this weekend if you booze and cruise, you lose.

If you are heading out to celebrate Halloween, remember to plan ahead for a safe and sober ride home.

Buzzed driving is drunk driving.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

DMV unveils new and improved website

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles unveiled a new and improved website to help customers find information online more easily to expedite their next visit or avoid an unnecessary trip altogether.

The new site offers many time saving features and can conduct more than 50 services including renewals of your license or registration, replacing IDs and titles, updating personal or vehicle information, and more.

The new platform also prioritizes inclusive web design which is fully compliant with accessibility standards creating a better browsing experience for everyone.

Head to the all new dmv.virginia.gov before your next visit to see how it can enhance your DMV service.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Blood type can now be added to ID cards in Virginia

Virginians can now choose to indicate their blood type on driver’s licenses and ID cards to help assist first responders in the event of an emergency.

Residents will have the option to place their blood type on cards when they renew or replace a license or ID card online or through any in person DMV customer service center.

The blood type will be displayed with a small icon on the front of your license or ID.

Proof of blood type is not required by the DMV, it is the responsibility of the individual to self-certify and make sure the correct blood type is selected.

The decision to add blood types to identification cards was originally introduced by Virginia Senator George L. Barker as a state senate bill.

DMV Commissioner Gerald Lackey supported the decision stating, “The law was intended to aid individuals and first responders when every second counts in an emergency. DMV is proud to provide Virginians with options.”

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.