Fact Check: Are DMVs open on Good Friday?

Are DMVs Open on Good Friday?

The claim in question is whether Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offices across various states are open on Good Friday. This inquiry is particularly relevant as Good Friday is observed as a public holiday in some regions, which may affect the operating hours of government offices, including DMVs.

What We Know

1. General Observance: Good Friday is not a federal holiday in the United States, but it is recognized as a public holiday in several states and municipalities. For instance, some states, such as North Carolina, explicitly list Good Friday as a holiday when DMVs are closed 2.

2. State-Specific Policies:

   • North Carolina: The North Carolina DMV observes Good Friday as a holiday, meaning all DMV offices will be closed 2.
   • Pennsylvania: The Pennsylvania DMV does not list Good Friday among its holiday closures, indicating that offices may remain open 3.
   • Virginia: The Virginia DMV does not include Good Friday in its list of observed holidays, suggesting that they are open on this day 7.
   • New York City: According to NYC311, all government offices, including the DMV, are open on Good Friday 8.
   • California: The California DMV does not mention Good Friday as a holiday in its closure schedule, implying that offices are open 5.

3. Other States: Other states, such as Maryland and New Jersey, do not explicitly mention Good Friday in their holiday schedules, but New Jersey lists it as a legal holiday without clarifying DMV operations 69.

Analysis

The information surrounding DMV operations on Good Friday varies significantly by state, highlighting the importance of checking local regulations.

1. Source Reliability:

   • The official DMV websites (such as those for North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and California) provide direct information regarding their holiday schedules and are generally reliable as they are government sources 235. However, the interpretation of "open" or "closed" can vary based on local observances.
   • NYC311 is a credible source for New York City-specific inquiries, as it is an official city service 8.

2. Potential Bias: While government websites are typically unbiased, they may not always provide comprehensive information about every holiday. For example, the absence of Good Friday in some state holiday lists does not necessarily mean that the DMV is open; it may simply not be listed.

3. Methodology: The methodology behind determining whether DMVs are open on Good Friday often relies on state-specific holiday observances. However, the lack of a uniform approach across states can lead to confusion. It would be beneficial to have a centralized resource that consolidates DMV holiday schedules across all states for clearer public access.

4. Conflicting Information: The discrepancies between states regarding the observance of Good Friday highlight the need for individuals to verify local DMV operations directly, as assumptions based on one state's policies may not apply elsewhere.

Conclusion

Verdict: Partially True

The claim regarding the operational status of DMVs on Good Friday is partially true, as it varies by state. Evidence indicates that some states, such as North Carolina, close their DMVs on Good Friday, while others, like Pennsylvania and Virginia, do not observe the holiday, suggesting their offices remain open. This inconsistency underscores the importance of checking local regulations, as the status of DMV operations can differ significantly across regions.

However, the available evidence is limited to state-specific policies and does not provide a comprehensive overview of all states. Additionally, some states do not explicitly clarify their DMV operations on Good Friday, leading to potential confusion. Therefore, readers are encouraged to verify the status of their local DMV directly, as assumptions based on one state's practices may not be applicable elsewhere.

As always, it is prudent for readers to critically evaluate information and consult official sources when determining the operational status of government offices during holidays.

Sources

1. Holiday Closing Schedule - DC DMV. https://dmv.dc.gov/page/2025-holiday-closing-schedule
2. Official NCDMV: NCDMV Holiday Schedule - N.C. Department of Transportation. https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/offices-services/locate-dmv-office/Pages/holidays-schedule.aspx
3. Holiday Closings | Driver and Vehicle Services | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dmv/alerts/holiday-closings.html
4. DMV Home. https://dmv.dc.gov/
5. DMV Holidays - California DMV. https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/holidays/
6. MVA Holidays & Closings. https://mva.maryland.gov/locations/Pages/holidays.aspx
7. DMV Closed for 2023 State Holidays and Observances. https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/news/dmv-closed-2023-state-holidays-and-observances
8. Good Friday · NYC311. https://portal.311.nyc.gov/article/?kanumber=KA-03289
9. Holidays - NJ MVC. https://www.nj.gov/mvc/locations/holidays.htm
10. DMV Holidays: DMV Hours and Closing. https://dmvconnect.com/article/dmv-holidays/