Most people dread the idea of going to the Department of Motor Vehicles, since this can usually mean long lines and waiting all day and still not getting the service you need. Here are some of the perks that the Department of Motor Vehicles has to offer, as well as some of the other features your area DMV may have available.

Because your driver's license expires on your birthday, you will probably want to plan your trip to the DMV to renew several days in advance. Most people have better things to do on their birthday than to spend it taking a bad driver's license picture. Other information regarding your motor vehicle and auto insurance is now available to you on trips to the DMV. The new services at the Department of Motor Vehicles can help you as follows:

The DMV may be able to supply all the information you require concerning car insurance premiums. In fact, Progressive auto insurance and some other companies have formed partnerships with DMV's across the United States to aid customers in obtaining inexpensive quotes for car insurance based on age, marital status, and the model of vehicle you drive. If you need to go to the DMV to take care of another matter, you can also take advantage of this convenient new feature.

You can also get background checks at the Department of Motor Vehicles. This service has been around for a while, so if you have to get a background check for school or if you're staring a new job, you can take care of this at the DMV, and you may not even have to wait in line as long--these days, there are separate lines for different services, so you won't have to spend all day there.

You can locate all of your financial and automotive paperwork through the local Department of Motor Vehicles. Once collected, it will be possible to approach an insurance professional in an educated fashion. If a decision is still pending on the state of your insurance, you can help by authorizing the release of an official copy of your record from the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Most of these services are even available online these days--if you need to renew the license plates on your car, have to make the registration on your vehicle current, or want to create your own vanity plates, you can put in your request online and have your materials mailed to you. Advanced DMV resources are also available in states like Arizona and Pennsylvania, but it's a good idea to look up the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state to find out specific services that are available.