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How to get through to the DMV by phone

4 min readUS only

Each state runs its own DMV, so start on your state's official site: many transactions are online, and in New York phone representatives can't process transactions at all. If you need a person, call during the line's hours with your license or plate number ready. Or let your simp wait on hold for up to 6 minutes, then let you know so you can take over.

Good to know: the DMV checks your identity with you, not with your simp. Your simp waits on hold for up to 6 minutes, then lets you know so you can take over. It says it's an AI calling for you at the start of every call, and time on hold counts towards your AI minutes.
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What you can do yourself.

Every state is different. The two examples below are from California's and New York's own pages, read on the date under the steps.

  1. Step 1Find your state's agency

    Each state runs its own DMV, sometimes under another name. Use the number on your state's official site, not one from a search ad.

  2. Step 2Check what's online first

    New York's DMV says its contact center representatives cannot process transactions, and points you to do them online.

  3. Step 3Call in the line's hours

    California: 1-800-777-0133, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. New York: 1-518-486-9786 or 1-800-698-2931, weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time, except state holidays.

  4. Step 4Have your details ready

    Your driver's license or ID number, your plate number or vehicle identification number, and any notice you're calling about.

  5. Step 5Write down what you're told

    Note the date, the agent's name if they give it, and anything they say they'll send you.

The catch: none of this shortens the queue, and a question about your own license or vehicle usually needs you on the line to answer it.

How a simp does it.

Alex had a question about a registration notice. Denise waited through the menu and the hold music, told the agent who it was calling for, and Alex tapped Take over.

DeniseDenise - Hold for the DMVOutgoing - AI number - 4:14
Example call
  1. 00:00 - Phone menuThank you for calling. Your call will be answered by the next available representative.
  2. 03:48 - AgentThanks for waiting. How can I help?
  3. 03:51 - DeniseHi, this is Denise, an AI calling from Simp for Alex. This call is transcribed. Alex has a question about a registration notice and will speak with you directly.
  4. 04:02 - AgentSure. I'll need the license holder on the line to look up the record.
  5. 04:06 - DenisePlease hold - I'm connecting you to Alex. This call will continue to be transcribed for their records.

Alex took over for the identity check. 3 minutes of hold music Alex didn't hear.

Your simp holds. You take over.

Tell your simp who to call and why. It works through the phone menu and waits on hold for up to 6 minutes, then lets you know so you can take over. Follow the call live in the Simp app, and when a person answers, tap Take over: your simp tells them it's connecting you, and the call rings through to your phone.

What it can't doYour simp doesn't pretend to be you, and it doesn't answer identity checks for you. It never gives out your passwords, PINs or security answers. Questions about your license, your record or your vehicle are yours to answer once you're on the line.What your simp is allowed to do
How the hand-over works

Keep the app to hand while it waits.

A question about your own license, record or vehicle is one you will usually need to answer yourself, so your simp leaves that to you rather than trying. Follow the call live in the app, and tap Take over when an agent answers.

  1. Step 1Your simp waitsThrough the phone menu, and on hold for up to 6 minutes. If nobody answers by then, it lets you know so you can take over.
  2. Step 2A person answersYour simp says it's an AI calling for you, by your first name.
  3. Step 3You tap Take overYour simp tells them it's connecting you, and the call rings through to your phone.

Questions about calling the DMV.

Can my simp sort out my DMV problem for me?

It can wait on hold for up to 6 minutes, then let you know so you can take over, and if an agent answers first, you tap Take over. Anything about your own license, record or vehicle is for you to answer, and many transactions are done online rather than by phone.

See the steps above
How do I take over the call?

Follow the call live in the Simp app and tap Take over. Your simp tells the person it's connecting you, and the call rings through to your phone. Your simp waits on hold for up to 6 minutes, then lets you know so you can take over. Any call your simp is handling ends after 10 minutes. You can also end the call from the app at any time.

What your simp is allowed to do
Will they know they're talking to an AI?

Yes. At the start of every call your simp says it's an AI calling for you, by your first name, and that the call is transcribed.

What your simp is allowed to do
Does it use my AI minutes?

Yes. The whole call counts towards your monthly AI minutes, time on hold included. Your simp waits on hold for up to 6 minutes, then lets you know so you can take over. You can top up in the app if you run low.

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Let your simp do the waiting.

Every plan comes with a simp that waits on hold for up to 6 minutes, then lets you know so you can take over.

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