
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, May 9, 1993                   TAG: 9305100376
SECTION: DISCOVER                    PAGE: 71   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

DECALS NECESSARY FOR VEHICLES

Newcomers from another state are required to obtain a Virginia driver's license and register their cars within 30 days of their arrival if they intend to stay permanently.

The initial registration of a vehicle must be done at a Department of Motor Vehicles Office. The department has offices in Christiansburg, Pulaski and Wytheville.

Vehicles can be registered for one or two years. The registration cost is $26.50 yearly for vehicles up to 4,000 pounds, and $31.50 for those over 4,000 pounds. Motorcyvcles are $24.50 per year. Personalized auto plates are an additional $10 a year. College-insignia plates are $25 more annually.

Drivers either must carry liability insurance or pay a $400 annual uninsured-motorist fee before registering a vehicle. Also, vehicles must pass an annual safety inspection, which costs $10 for cars and $5 for motorcycles.

Driver's licenses cost $2.40 per year. They are initially issued for three to seven years ($7.20 to $16.80), then renewed every five years ($12).

The department offices sell automobile licenses and issue driver's licenses and renewals.

The Christiansburg office is at 1095 Peppers Ferry Road (Virginia 114) at Walters Drive, west of New River Valley Mall. Call 382-5000. Hours are Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

The Pulaski office is at 1901 Bob White Blvd. at Warden Lane. Call 980-3550. Hours are Tuesday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

The Wytheville office is at 800 E. Main St. Call 228-2063. Hours are Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

The DMV has licensing agents in Pearisburg and Floyd. These agents can take care of business associated with the vehicle but cannot issue or renew driver's licenses.

In Pearisburg, the agent is at the county treasurer's office in new county office building (old bank building). It operates Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 8-11 a.m. Call 921-1240 for information.

In Floyd, the agent is at Underwood Chevrolet on Virginia 8 just north of the town limits. It operates Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2-4:30 p.m. Call 745-4146 for information.

by CNB