New system at DMV creates long lines and long wait times across Missouri

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - Taking a trip to the Department of Motor Vehicles office isn’t something most people look forward to. The long lines and long wait turn people away, and even more so this week as the Department of Revenue rolled out a new driver’s license and processing system.

The new system went into effect on Tuesday, November 12.

“It’s been a couple days where you can’t even really get in. The line is wrapped around the building,” said Vonnie Dunsworth, a customer.

Dunsworth is just one customer who this inconvenience has impacted. She said she has been to the DMV seven times over the last few days, all in an effort to get her license plates renewed.

The Department of Revenue released this statement regarding the wait times:

“The Department of Revenue’s Motor Vehicle and Driver License (MVDL) division successfully rolled out its modernized driver license and processing system at all license offices on Tuesday, November 12. Installation of new equipment and the system conversion process necessitated license office closures that ranged from 1-3 business days, in addition to Veterans Day, Monday, November 11, a federal holiday.

As anticipated, the number of customers wanting to conduct business after the brief closure has been higher than is typical for a given day. That increase, coupled with staff learning a new system, has caused some delays at some license offices. Each license office has added one additional driver license station to help serve customers and eventually reduce wait times in many offices. The number of customers coming to the license offices is expected to return to normal over the next few days. The Department appreciates customers’ patience as the 1500 personnel at 174 driver license offices throughout the state become accustomed to the new system.

Customers are being reminded that they do now have the ability to complete some transactions online by visiting www.mydmv.mo.gov . New online features allowing Missourians to renew or apply for a duplicate driver license credential were also implemented on November 12.

Following are some key stats we are tracking:

On November 12, license offices across the State processed 5,295 driver license issuance transactions, which is roughly 90% of our typical daily volume. On an average day license offices statewide process approximately 6,000 license issuance transactions.

Many of the license office personnel have been able to process a transaction for a customer in less than 10 minutes.”

The Assistant General Manager, Loralie Turner, at the Overland DMV, said it’d been an adjustment for them, too, as they learn the new program.

“We all went live at the same time on the 12th and that had a lot of problems. We had problems processing credit cards, processing driver’s licenses,” said Loralie Turner. “But it is still in the developing stages so we are causing some slow wait times in the lobby but we are trying our best.”

Turner said if you need to go to the DMV, pack some patience. They are doing their best to make the line move as swiftly as possible.

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