Drivers can surf for license history on DMV’s new Internet page

Friday, Nov. 8, 2002 | 9:59 a.m.

Nevada motorists have another reason to go to the Internet before getting behind the wheel.

The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles has unveiled online access for drivers to look up their licensing history.

Since the program started Nov. 1, more than 1,000 people have used the service.

"That's 1,500 people who did not have to visit a DMV office," DMV Director Ginny Lewis said Thursday.

For those seeking a job that requires proof of a driver's license, the service is only a few clicks away, Lewis said.

The DMV's site is secure to ensure privacy, Lewis said.

Like the DMV's other online services, such as renewing licenses, registration renewals and estimating registration fees, the new page was welcomed by people standing in long lines at Henderson's DMV office Thursday afternoon.

"I didn't know about it," Las Vegas resident Jim Kazier said. "That's great news."

Las Vegas and Alaska resident Claudia Palacios said she was in line for a new driver's license.

"I didn't know (about) that," Palacios said, adding that she'll use her computer for renewing her driver's license. She splits her time between Nevada and Alaska.

Nearly 20,000 people a month use the Internet to connect with the DMV.

In October, 21,300 residents tapped into the state's site.

Since May 2000, when the DMV introduced its website, 272,059 people have renewed their driver's licenses online, said DMV spokesman Kevin Malone.

The Department of Motor Vehicles website is at dmvnv.com.