Virginia DMV eliminates toll free hotline calls

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles: saving money, one 3-cent per minute call at a time.

The DMV announced today that it is doing away with its toll-free hotline to save money. So, if you're still on hold to 1-866-DMV-LINE (866-368-5463), it's time to hang up.

Kidding, kidding. Callers to the old toll free line get a message directing them to call the DMV's new number--(804) 497-7100. DMV Commissioner Rick Holcomb said in a statement that the state had paid about 3 cents every minute for toll free calls and should save $500,000 a year because of the change.

The DMV call center, staffed by 95 call takers, answers between 5,000 and 6,000 calls every day. Holcomb said a majority originate from the 804 area code.