DMV’s solution to long waits in line: kiosks, for a few extra dollars

By Cy Ryan

Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011 | 10:29 a.m.

CARSON CITY – One big complaint by Nevada motorists is the long wait they endure at the offices of the state Department of Motor Vehicles to get or renew a driver’s license or register a car.

But the department believes it has a way for drivers to take care of business in an average of 90 seconds.

Kiosks have been installed at DMV offices, which can be used for a limited number of transactions for a couple of extra bucks.

There were 217,843 transactions conducted on these kiosks in the last six months of 2010 and it was more than officials had expected. Now the department is considering expanding the type of business that can be conducted and the locations where the units are available.

“People are getting the word out not to stand in line,” says newly installed DMV Director Bruce Breslow.

The department gained approval Tuesday from the state Board of Examiners to draw $396,890 from a contingency fund to pay the money due to the operator of the kiosks. That amount was more than expected.

Intellectual Technology Inc. of Carlsbad, Calif., is the owner and operator of the machines. It charges $1 for a driver’s history or insurance reinstatement and $4.99 for vehicle registration renewal.

The department is planning to expand the available transactions to such things as driver’s license renewal and duplicate identification card requests.

Tom Jacobs, spokesman for the department, said the machines take cash or credit, and debit cards or e-checks. Other states have similar units but Jacobs said he believes Nevada is the only state where the customer gets the document instantly back at the kiosk, instead of waiting for it in the mail.

There are seven of these units at DMV offices in Southern Nevada, as well as five at AAA offices in Clark County.

The department is also looking to expand the locations, such as putting them in public libraries.