DMV Employees: Critical and Powerful Partners

DMV is the single most important avenue to increasing the number of people registered as organ, eye and tissue donors. 

• Across the U.S. 98% of all registered donors sign up through their motor vehicle department.

• There is not yet a national donor registry, so the Donate Life organization in each state works independently with their DMV.

• DMV employees are required by law to ask everyone applying for a new or renewal driver's license, permit or ID card whether they want a donor code on that document - "D" in Oregon and a heart in Washington.

• It is not necessary for people to sign up both at DMV and online - they are equally meaningful and powerful. 

• Anyone at least 15 years old can put a "D" on their permit/license/ID card.  Parental permission is not required to register. However, if a minor were to become a potential donor, legal next-of-kin must give consent at the time of death.

• The donor code on a driver's license, permit or ID pertains only to organ, eye and tissue donation.  It does NOT include whole body, bone marrow or blood donation, which are separate programs.

• Donate Life Northwest educates DMV employees about the meaning and importance of the donor code.  However, DMV employees are not asked or expected to answer customer questions about organ, eye and tissue donation and transplantation. 

Education Resources for DMV Employees

• Power Point Presentation
• Top 10 Myths (English/Spanish)
• High School DVD: "Discover Donation
• PSA - Tracy, Heart Recipient (30 sec); John, Cornea Recipient (30 sec)
• Video "An Amazing Gift" (6 min)
• Donor Registry Statistics

To order more Top 10 Myths brochures, contact DMV Central Supply.

To schedule an educational presentation to DMV staff, contact trujillo@ohsu.edu or 503-494-2257. 

"Thanks for Asking"