History of DMV

Oklahoma's motor vehicle services are divided between three State agencies: the Oklahoma Tax Commission, the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, and the local tag agencies.

Oklahoma Tax Commission

The Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC) oversees the registration of motor vehicles, manufactured homes, farm trucks, boats, outboard motors, commercial trailers, specialized and personalized license plates, and liability insurance verifications.

All fees and charges related to motor vehicles including driver's license application fees and renewal fees are forwarded to the OTC, as are all motor vehicle registrations and registration renewals.

Oklahoma Department of Public Safety

The Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (DPS) is also involved in the regulation of drivers and the enforcement of driving laws. The DPS oversees driver license issues, driver manuals, automotive and road safety concerns, wrecker services, driving records management, commercial truck size and weight permits and various other driver, road and highway safety issues.

This is the agency that defines and determines the need for new, updates, or changes in the basic safety rules and regulations. When new safety and driving laws some into effect, the DPS prepares new informative materials for the public.

Driver License Exam Centers

You may only see the folks at your local driver license exam centers once or twice in your entire driving career.

This department is federally mandated and part of their responsibility is to check the National Drivers Registry and the Commercial Driver License Information System to determine whether an applicant has been issued a driver's license in another state and if that license has been suspended or revoked. The goal of the examiners is to put more qualified drivers on Oklahoma's roads.

You can find driver's license exam centers at various agencies in Oklahoma including social service centers, police department headquarters offices, community centers, highway patrol headquarters offices, and other State agencies.

The driver license exam center is the place to take your driving skills and knowledge tests for new drivers, commercial and noncommercial. When you are ready for your driver's tests, you will need to contact your local driver license exam center. The role of the examiner has expanded from pre-CDL days.

Tag Agents

You may never see the actual offices of the OTC or the DPS and you may only ever see the driver license exam centers once or twice, but chances are you'll get to know the folks at your local tag agency.

Tag agencies are where you will take care of almost all motor vehicle business once you have become a regular (not restricted) licensed driver in Oklahoma.

Here are a few of the services offered by your local tag agent:

• Driver's license renewals.

• Register to vote.

• Renew your vehicle registration.

• Register a new vehicle.

• Register a manufactured home.

• Pick up copies of any motor vehicle-related forms.

• Replace a lost title or driver's license.

• Remove a lien from your title.

Tag agencies are run by private individuals, rather than by State employees; all the monies collected by them and all the services they provide come from the OTC.

Find out where your local tag agency is located and make a note of it. Your tag agent will become your "go to" person for almost all of your Oklahoma motor vehicle needs.