DMV’s computer taking its toll on title service firms

Tuesday, Oct. 26, 1999 | 11:52 a.m.

The small businesses cater to dealerships or individuals who pay to have them register cars or process titles at the Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety.

The department's new computer system has been slowing transactions in recent weeks, causing long delays for consumers.

To speed things up the department is limiting the number of transactions title dealers can complete at any one time.

"This new system is going to put me out of business," said JoAnne Buonamano, who has operated A-Vehicle Registration Service for 10 years in Las Vegas.

Sonja Pack, who owns Motor Vehicle Title Services in Carson City, said the department is engaging in "a restraint of services" with its restrictions.

But the department said the new rules are to help other customers in line, rather than allowing registration and title services to tie up DMV clerks. Ginny Lewis, deputy director of the department, said these businesses can spend two hours and more at a window.

And DMV service is getting better, Lewis said, noting that lines in Las Vegas Monday were down to two hours at the longest.

Buonamano works with car dealers in Las Vegas, many of whom advertise they will take care of the registration and license plates of customers who purchase vehicles. In the past, she was able to register 35 to 40 cars a day.

After the startup of Genesis, she spent 10 hours a day instead of two to three hours getting the vehicles registered. Last Friday, Buonamano was told she has to make an appointment and can register only five cars a day.

"I don't understand how a public agency can say I can register only five a day," she said, adding that if she does the work, it saves 40 people from going to the DMV when they buy a new car.

Buonamano said she's actually saving the DMV time because she has all the documents ready and knows the procedure.