# DMV

CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dmv
Updated: 2026-05-10

## Definition

Stands for Department of Motor Vehicles. The government office where you go to get a driver's license or register your car. It is a place most people visit for official paperwork related to driving.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Department of Motor Vehicles. The government agency responsible for motor vehicle registration and driver licensing. Primarily used in North American English; often serves as a cultural shorthand for bureaucratic delays.

## Examples

- I need to go to the DMV to renew my license.
- After waiting in line at the DMV for three hours, he finally received his new license plates.
- While digital services have streamlined many government processes, certain transactions still require a physical visit to the DMV for identity verification and vision testing.

## Usage notes

- Usually used with the definite article 'the' as it refers to a specific local branch or the institution as a whole.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.