Renewing driver license goes into low gear

National registry experiencing delays, temporary service outages

By PAULA BARR
Daily Journal Staff Writer

Getting or renewing your license could take longer, due to problems with the National Driver Registry.

The national registry, through which all driver license applications must be checked, has been experiencing delays and temporary service outages. This problem is affecting all Missouri Department of Revenue license bureaus and others throughout the United States and Canada.

“We have had a few problems with slowdowns in the computer system,” said Amanda Glover, office manager for the Bonne Terre license fee office. “People have a choice to stay and wait, or leave and we will give them a call when the computer system comes back.”

In Farmington, the staff had not noticed any problems as of Tuesday afternoon.

“The system has been working fine for us,” said Dena Branhum, a license clerk.

During the outages, no new or renewal license transactions can be processed. Missourians who need to renew or apply for a driver’s license are encouraged to allow extra time to process their applications.

This problem does not affect Missourians who want to renew or apply for new license plates, however.

The national registry is a computerized database of information of drivers who have had their licenses revoked or suspended, or who have been convicted of serious traffic violations such as driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs. State motor vehicle agencies provide the national registry with the names of individuals who have lost their privileges or who have been convicted of a serious traffic violation and have outstanding fees.

When a person applies for a driver’s license, the state verifies to see if the name is on the national registry file. If a person has been reported to the national registry as a problem driver, the license may be denied.

Missouri has been using the system since Sept. 20, 2005. However, several states have recently started verifying driver information through the registry. That has caused usage of the national registry to double in amount of transactions over the past three years from 40 million per year to 80 million per year, which has strained the system.

The Missouri Department of Revenue currently is involved in discussions with the U.S. Department of Transportation and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) for updates and possible solutions.

Until the issues are resolved, the Missouri Department of Revenue apologizes for this inconvenience. Since it is possible that transactions may not be able to be immediately processed, the department urges all driver license applicants to avoid waiting until the last day to renew or apply for a new license.

Paula Barr is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010, ext. 172 or at pbarr@dailyjournalonline.com.

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