Google Analytics is a powerful tool that tracks and analyzes website traffic for informed marketing decisions.
Service URL: policies.google.com (opens in a new window)
_gid
ID used to identify users for 24 hours after last activity
24 hours
_gat
Used to monitor number of Google Analytics server requests when using Google Tag Manager
1 minute
_ga
ID used to identify users
2 years
_gali
Used by Google Analytics to determine which links on a page are being clicked
30 seconds
_ga_
ID used to identify users
2 years
__utmv
Contains custom information set by the web developer via the _setCustomVar method in Google Analytics. This cookie is updated every time new data is sent to the Google Analytics server.
2 years after last activity
__utmx
Used to determine whether a user is included in an A / B or Multivariate test.
18 months
__utmc
Used only with old Urchin versions of Google Analytics and not with GA.js. Was used to distinguish between new sessions and visits at the end of a session.
End of session (browser)
__utmz
Contains information about the traffic source or campaign that directed user to the website. The cookie is set when the GA.js javascript is loaded and updated when data is sent to the Google Anaytics server
6 months after last activity
__utma
ID used to identify users and sessions
2 years after last activity
__utmt
Used to monitor number of Google Analytics server requests
10 minutes
__utmb
Used to distinguish new sessions and visits. This cookie is set when the GA.js javascript library is loaded and there is no existing __utmb cookie. The cookie is updated every time data is sent to the Google Analytics server.
30 minutes after last activity
_gac_
Contains information related to marketing campaigns of the user. These are shared with Google AdWords / Google Ads when the Google Ads and Google Analytics accounts are linked together.
90 days
The vast majority of “license-plate agencies” (LPAs) — offices handling vehicle registration, titles, plates, and related services — are contracted out. As of recent counts, there are around 129 of these LPA locations under contract.
Historically, most (e.g. 101 out of 118 in a prior survey) were operated by private contractors; a smaller number were operated by local governments.
North Carolina General Assembly
According to a 2024/2025 internal review, many core NCDMV functions — including vehicle titling, registration via LPAs, credential-printing, online payment processing, kiosks, and related back-office tasks — are outsourced to private vendors.
What remains state-run (by the DMV itself)?
Driver-license offices (for issuing/renewing driver’s licenses, IDs, etc.) remain operated directly by NCDMV. The state continues to staff and manage those offices.
The overarching agency (NCDMV, part of North Carolina Department of Transportation — NCDOT) retains oversight, regulation, and responsibility for enforcement and service standards, even where services are outsourced.
What’s changing now — potential for more privatization.
So, you see that a great deal of the contact that the public has with DMV is done by semi-private enterprise.
Five years to ship-shape the functions of DMV is laughable. Maybe Elon Musk could help with a DOGE for NCDMV.
Fred, I think the issues in North Carolina are especially with the drivers license offices run by the state. You are right that the tag/registration/title offices are run by private vendors.