The state Department of Motor Vehicles said Thursday that it's streamlining vehicle registration renewals by combining two mailings into one, saving an estimated $400,000 in tax dollars a year.
Up to now, vehicle owners got two mailings - a renewal notice, and then the new registration that the DMV sent after receiving payment. But starting this month, owners will get only one renewal mailing, containing an application whose center is the actual registration certificate, which must be kept in the vehicle.
Police can check if the registration is valid via computer links with the DMV. People can check that the registration has been renewed via a new online verification system at www.ct.gov/dmv/verifyreg -- or they can call the DMV phone center at 860-263-5700 (within the Hartford area or outside of the state) or 800-842-8222 (elsewhere in Connecticut).