Idaho's Largest County Drives the State's First Online Vehicle Renewal Program at www.accessidaho.org
BOISE, Idaho--Sept. 4, 2003--| Ada County Assessor's Office and the Idaho Transportation Department Team up to Offer Online Renewal for Cars, Trucks, and RVs at the State's Official Web Site |
Motorists in Idaho's most populated county can now renew their vehicle registrations online through the state's official Web site at www.accessidaho.org. The new service is the result of a joint effort by the Ada County Assessor's Office, the Idaho Transportation Department, and Idaho Information Consortium, a Boise-based subsidiary of eGovernment firm NIC that manages Access Idaho on behalf of the state.
Online renewal is currently available only to Ada County residents, who must log in securely using their plate number and the four-digit PIN printed on the reminder postcard they receive from the Idaho Transportation Department.
Morris Detmar, motor vehicle administrator for the Idaho Transportation Department, predicted the Gem State's other 43 counties will be offered to use the service soon. "It is our goal to make it as easy as possible to renew vehicle registrations," said Detmar. "We are excited to offer Ada County residents this new option."
Until now, motorists could renew their vehicle registrations only by phone, mail, or stopping by an assessor's office. "Renewing vehicle registrations online will be faster and more convenient for many people," said Robert McQuade, Ada County Assessor. "It will also mean shorter lines for those who prefer to renew in person."
Cars, motorcycles, trailers and RVs registered in Ada County, whether they have the standard red-white-and-blue Idaho plates or any of the 33 specialty plates, can now be renewed via the Web.
Motorists pay their renewal fees using Visa or MasterCard through Access Idaho's secure payment portal.
Through an agreement with the Idaho Transportation Department, county assessors process new and renewed vehicle registrations and the Idaho Transportation Department maintains the data records.
Eileen Orcutt, supervisor of the Ada County Assessor's Motor Vehicle Department, said that adding Internet renewals provides motorists a convenient and easy-to-use registration option. "Many people wait until the last day of the month to call in or mail their renewals, and they risk driving around without being registered," said Orcutt. "Citizens also visit one of our offices to pick up registration stickers on the spot, but they usually show up at the end of the month when the counter lines are often very long."
With Internet vehicle registration, those who renew online early in the morning may even receive their stickers and certificate in the mail the next day. Online registration is open 24 hours a day and seven days a week, including holidays. As with the other renewal methods, online registrants may renew for one or two years.
Because part of the online process is still in development, only non-personalized plates can be renewed using the service. Vanity and disabled plates will be eligible for electronic renewal in the fall. New and used car buyers still need to visit a county assessor's office for initial registration.
Online license renewal for snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, dune buggies, off-road motorcycles, and boats is not currently available but could be offered in the future.
About Access Idaho
Access Idaho is the state of Idaho's official Web portal (www.accessidaho.org) and provider of electronic government solutions for the state. The network manager for the portal is Idaho Information Consortium, a subsidiary of eGovernment firm NIC.
About NIC
NIC manages more eGovernment services than any provider in the world. The company helps government communicate more effectively with citizens and businesses by putting essential services online. NIC provides eGovernment solutions for 1,400 state and local agencies that serve more than 71 million people in the United States. Additional information is available at www.nicusa.com.