DMV calls new driver’s license mail-in system instant success

Monday, March 25, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The state's new mail-in driver's license renewal system is an instant success.

Used in many other states for years, it started in Nevada in January. And now the state Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety is getting 300 to 400 applications in the mail every day.

It's a sure way to beat the aggravation of standing in line at a local DMV office for 30 minutes to an hour for a simple renewal.

Bruce Glover, chief of the driver's license division, said the goal is to receive 600 mail applications a day, equivalent to about 60 percent of those eligible to apply. In other states it took two years to achieve that target.

Nevada will do it faster, he said, noting that 33-40 percent of eligible motorists have used the system in the initial months.

The only public complaint has come from a Reno motorist when it came to using his driver's license for identification to cash a check.

The original driver's license had expired and the motorist received the second card from the state attesting that the license is extended for four more years. But the business wouldn't recognize the new card as a legitimate form of identification.

"The retailers have been cool," Glover said.

He said there's been no problem in Southern Nevada because of the extensive publicity on the new mail-in system.

But improvements will be made and one suggestion is to have a sticker for the back of the driver's license for renewal, instead of a separate card, Glover said.

And the mail has produced its share of bum checks to pay for the license renewal.

"But we get those even when they come through the door" to renew a license in person, Glover said.

The bad checks amount to less than 1 percent. And those who pass the bogus checks get a notice to pay up or have their license canceled.

"Some people don't take us seriously," Glover said.

The division sends out these mail-renewal notices to motorists 60 days before their licenses expire. Those with more than two moving traffic violations in the last four years must still renew their licenses in person.

Those with medical restrictions, other than glasses, also must appear in person.

All the mail-in applications, which cost an extra 50 cents, go to Carson City. The turnaround time is one day.

This and other new programs are reducing the long lines in fast-growing Clark County.

The department operates its Sahara and Carey avenue offices from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. The new office on West Flamingo Road is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.