A look inside Grandview’s new DMV office

By Jill Draper

The hours are the same but the location is different for Grandview’s recently expanded DMV office. Not too different, though—the new office is just west of city hall where it used to be.

The DMV address, 1102 Main Street, is easily recognized because the building’s east side sports a colorful, wall-sized mural that says “GRANDVIEW” in large white letters across a blue background.

Also new is an information desk inside the building. Staffed by a city employee, the desk is a handy first stop for customers who have questions about how to complete motor vehicle and driver’s license transactions, or how to pay Jackson County property taxes. 

“People can use the information desk to doublecheck their paperwork before waiting in line,” said Valarie Poindexter, Grandview communications manager, who explained the DMV office had outgrown its space in city hall when a decision was made to purchase the building next door that formerly housed the Jackson County Advocate and then an attorney’s office. The building received a $700,000 makeover as part of a $21 million bond package approved by voters nearly two years ago.

The Grandview DMV is the only city-run office for Missouri’s Division of Motor Vehicles and has been in operation since the 1980s. Other DMVs throughout the state are privately run. The Grandview office serves 30,000 to 50,000 customers every year and is open to any state resident.

In addition to doubling the number of transaction windows from 5 to 10 (although these are not yet fully staffed), the new DMV has three waiting areas plus vending machines that sell snacks and drinks. 

Waiting is not always necessary, however. Customers now can register their cars, boats and other vehicles by phone by calling 816-316-4851. DMV representatives will verify their information in the state system, process their registration and take a payment (credit or debit card) over the phone. Renewal paperwork and stickers are then mailed or held for pick up. This method includes an extra 2.25% processing fee. 

Customers who want to renew in person are encouraged to get in line before they arrive by reserving a spot at Grandview.org/qless. Hours are 8 am-5 pm Monday-Friday except for Wednesday, when the office stays open until 7 pm. Saturday hours are 8 am-noon. See more information at dor.mo.gov/motor-vehicle.

In other news, the Grandview City Hall and Police Department are mostly vacant in preparation for a major overhaul. No groundbreaking is scheduled because city hall is not expanding, but a wall-breaking ceremony with golden sledgehammers will be held February 26 to mark the beginning of the renovation, said Poindexter.

“It’s not fun when contractors begin demo work and we know that, and we’re just trying to make it as pleasant as possible,” she said.

City departments will continue operating at various sites around Grandview, including event spaces at The View Community Center, which is serving as a temporary “city hall” for the next year.