Governor Sonny Perdue Reorganizes DMVS

New Driver’s License Examiners Aim to Improve Customer Service

MARIETTA, GA – Georgia motorists will experience improved customer service at driver’s license centers across the state with reforms announced today by Governor Sonny Perdue. Under the Governor’s plan, a stand-alone driver’s license services agency will focus solely on the issue and renewal of licenses and customer service. The remaining functions of the Department of Motor Vehicle Safety (DMVS) will be transferred to other state agencies.

“When DMVS was created by statute in 2000, it became one very large agency with many competing interests and missions. Customer service and the efficient delivery of licenses have been lost in the shuffle, literally taking a back seat to everything else,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “It is time to unwind this thicket and let the DMVS focus on one core mission – driver’s license services. This will lead to shorter lines and the type of customer service Georgians deserve.”

The Governor’s plan includes approximately $1.5 million for 46 additional driver’s license examiners, a twelve-percent increase over the current 397 examiners.

The Governor’s reforms will require legislative action during the upcoming session. In addition to creating one agency to handle licenses, the legislation will move remaining DMVS operations to the state agencies best suited to provide the services. The Department of Revenue will regulate vehicle tags and titles. Enforcement responsibilities, such as HOV lane enforcement and regulation of hazardous materials, will be returned to the Department of Public Safety. The Governor will work with pertinent agencies on assigning the remaining functions of DMVS as the legislation is finalized.

Last November, Governor Perdue announced that qualified drivers would be able to request a free change of address online by visiting the DMVS (DMVS) website (www.dmvs.ga.gov) and that teenage drivers choosing to exchange a class D “restricted” driver’s license for a class C “unrestricted” license will be able to utilize a mail-in application. Since May 2002, motorists have been able to renew their license or state identification card by mail, Internet or telephone only if none of the license information had changed.

“We’ve had a good response to the steps we've already taken to reduce the need for folks to come to the DMVS center in person with online address change and mail-in renewals,” said Governor Perdue. “But it has become clear to me that these moves will not be enough to provide the relief we need.”