The DMV established this “Complaint of Discrimination” procedure as way to review and resolve allegations of discrimination based upon:

• race (inclusive of hair texture and protective hairstyles)
• color
• sex (including pregnancy) 
• sexual harassment
• religious creed
• gender identity or expression
• marital status
• Age
• national origin
• sexual orientation
• Ancestry
• physical disability (including but not limited to blindness)
• learning disability
• intellectual disability
• present or past history of mental disability
• workplace hazards to reproductive systems
• past or present criminal record (in state employment and licensing)
• genetic information
• veteran status

It is intended to provide a quick resolution of complaints and to assure that legal options remain open to all employees filing complaints with enforcement agencies.

An employee, an applicant for employment with DMV, or any member of the public conducting business with this agency has the right to file a complaint with the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion if they feel a victim of discrimination or harassment during the performance of their job or in the programs or services provided by agency staff.

Complaints may also be referred by a manager/supervisor who has received a complaint from a staff member or applicant.

Barring extenuating circumstances and/or issues, you should submit a written complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity Manager using the DEI complaint form. 

Reasonable accommodations and other adjustments will be made as necessary.

Timing
Timeframes for filing, processing and resolution should not exceed 90 days. Timeframes could be extended where necessary and as deemed appropriate by the Office of DEI. Should an investigation exceed the 90-day timeframe, the complainant will be notified of their right to file with external agencies. 

Other channels
All complainants retain the right to pursue a remedy through other administrative, collective bargaining and/or legal channels. Complainants also have a right to an attempt at an informal resolution of their complaint by the EEO manager, if desired. (With allegations of sexual harassment, please refer to the DMV Sexual Harassment Prevention Policy and Complaint Procedure.)

Complaint of Discrimination' procedure
DEI Complaint form
Discrimination complaint agencies

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a national law that protects persons from discrimination based on their race, color, or national origin in programs and activities that receive Federal financial assistance. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) identifies the following additional protected groups under its’ Title VI program: sex, age, disability, income-level, and Limited-English Proficiency (LEP).

It is the policy of the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles that no person, on the grounds of race, color or national origin (and other protected groups as required by FMCSA) be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity funded or sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles.

Any person who believes that they, individually or as a group, has been subjected to discrimination prohibited by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 may file a signed, written complaint within 180 days of the date of the alleged discrimination.

A representative on behalf of such may also file a complaint. The complaint should include:

• your name
• mailing address 
• contact information (telephone number, email etc.)
• A description of how, why and when you believe you were discriminated against

Complaints should be forwarded to: 
Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)
Department of Motor Vehicles
60 State Street, Room 236
Wethersfield, CT 06151

In addition to the complaint process described above, a complainant may file a Title VI complaint with the following offices:

Connecticut Department of Transportation
Debra Goss, Title VI Coordinator
Newington, CT 06131-7546

Federal Highway Administration 
Nichole McWhorter, Investigations & Adjudication Team Director
1200 New Jersey Avenue, Room E81-330
Washington, DC 20590

Title VI Complaint form
Public notice of Title VI Program rights
Title VI policy statement
Your Rights Under Title VI poster
DMV Title VI Complaint procedure

Limited-English Proficient (LEP) persons are individuals who do not speak English as their primary language and who have a limited ability to read, speak, write or understand English.

The Department of Motor Vehicles utilizes Language Line so employees can better assist non-English speaking customers by utilizing a translation service. Language Line is available in over 40 languages. For more information on this service, ask a DMV employee.

DMV LEP Work Group
Under the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Department of Motor Vehicles is required to ensure equal access to all its programs and services to include individuals who have a limited ability to read, write, speak, or understand English (Limited-English Proficiency (“LEP”). Where possible, DMV’s Title VI LEP Work Group seeks to facilitate and/or initiate efforts to support this requirement.

The Work Group is chaired by Michelle Givens of Legal Services. The group meets quarterly at the Wethersfield office.

Frequently Asked Questions (to assist customers)
Language Line (phone translation service for employees/customers)
DMV Website translated into other languages via Google Translate.
Title VI Program policy statement

DMV Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

60 State Street, Room 236
Wethersfield, CT 06161

Main telephone: 860-263-5264
Confidential facsimile: 860-263-5523

Angela Buonannata, Equal Employment Opportunity Assistant
Email: Angela.Buonannata@ct.gov