Tammy Nolette, Personnel Security Assistant, ITA International LLC
When recently updating my Virginia DMV account, I discovered a feature that I would like to share for your consideration. This feature allows the addition of emergency contacts to your driver’s license account and could be useful during emergency situations.
When you log into your VA DMV account: https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/#/Locations, Click on “My DMV Account”, then scroll down until you see “Emergency Contacts” on the right side of the screen. Click on “update”.
The below information will pop up:
Purpose: Virginia’s Emergency Contact Program gives law enforcement a way to notify your family or friends in the event of an emergency. In order to use this form, you must currently hold a Virginia learner's permit, driver's license, temporary driver's license, commercial driver's license, or special identification card.
Important Information: Any individual that you designate as an emergency contact must be 18 years of age or older. The information you provide is only accessible by DMV and law enforcement. Participation in the Emergency Contact Program is voluntary.
Please ensure that your Emergency Contact information is accurate and up-to-date. Virginia DMV is not responsible for any errors in the information posted.
Click “continue” to add Emergency contact information in this section.
If you hold a different state issued license / ID, I recommend checking if this helpful option is available to you.
“ICE” (In Case of Emergency) alternative: On your cell phone, you can add the letters ICE in front of a contact that alerts law enforcement / medical response/ first responder teams whom to contact in emergency situations. I noticed that on a newer model cell phones, there is an option to put all of your emergency contacts into one group where one can send out a quick message to notify emergency contacts all at once.
As most of us use the auto-lock feature with our mobile phones (as a best practice to protect stored personal information) I think that adding your emergency contact information in your DMV account is perhaps a better option.
One additional side note, for Commonwealth drivers, I encourage checking out the link below for the REAL ID act coming to Virginia. New driver’s license and identification cards will be required after October 1, 2020 in order to board a domestic flight or to access secure federal facilities. Link: https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/drivers/#real_id.asp.
About The Author
Tammy Nolette is a Personnel Security Assistant for ITA International, LLC. Tammy has worked in shipyard security for 8 years. She is also a board member of CPAAAN (Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association of Norfolk), a member of CERT of Norfolk (Community Emergency Response Team), and InfraGard. Tammy also has her HAM radio technician license (KM4CSI).
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