More Than 1.75 Million DMV Customers Register Their Vehicles On-Line; 2 Million Milestone Not Far Off

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--Oct. 2, 20032, 2003--"It's a real success story for the California Department of Motor Vehicles," says Director Steven Gourley of the more than one and three quarters million people who have registered their vehicles on-line. "And soon, early in 2004 we believe, we'll hit an even bigger milestone: Our two millionth customer. That's big news for us because that means lots of Californians are using our Internet option and not coming into offices to handle their registration business. That means fewer people in line, and that's good for everyone!"

44-year old Ryan Iwasa of San Mateo, a partner with Partition Specialties Inc.-- a statewide specialty commercial contractor--is one of those who's registered his pickup by way of the Internet. "I found the DMV on-line registration process very simple to use; I've registered my vehicle online as well as downloading forms," said Iwasa. "Using the DMV Website is very convenient and a real time-saver."

Iwasa is one of more than 80,000 Californians who now choose to register their vehicles electronically each month. He was able to accomplish the on-line transaction because his insurance company takes part in a DMV program which allows agents to electronically verify their customers' insurance coverage, and as a result, their customers can register their vehicles using the Department's Internet option.

"This great program couldn't have been implemented without electronic insurance reporting," said Gourley. "That's because without it, customers have to provide paper documents to DMV proving their vehicle has insurance. That's a very labor-intensive process on our end which makes the on-line renewal process impractical."

So how to make the process practical by making it all electronic?

In January of 2000, DMV contracted with IBM to provide hardware and software along with the necessary test planning, execution resources and consulting services. In addition to bringing the Internet registration system up in just 90 days, IBM provided ongoing support for another year.

"More than 55% of the state's vehicle owners can now register their vehicles from the comfort of their homes if they choose to do so," said Director Gourley. "We also have tremendous appreciation for the insurance companies taking part to this point, especially the earliest participants at Mercury and the Auto Clubs," he said.

A total of 18 insurance companies now take part in the on-line verification program (which in turn allows on-line registration). They include the California State Automobile Association, Automobile Club of Southern California, Mercury Insurance, 21st Century, Farmers, The Hartford, Progressive, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance, Traveler's, USAA, GEICO, Liberty Mutual, Amica Mutual, Prudential, State Farm Fire and Casualty, California Casualty, Western United Insurance and Workmen's Auto Insurance. Several other companies are currently in the testing phase, and several more have expressed interest in taking part in the program.

"I am very proud of the hard work and innovation shown by members of the DMV team who developed and implemented this very important consumer-oriented program," said Gourley. "We plan to continue building on this success to make even more of our functions more easily accessible to our customers," he said.

The DMV licenses drivers; maintains driving records; registers and tracks official ownership of vehicles and vessels; investigates auto and identity-related fraud; and licenses car dealers, driving schools and traffic violator schools. The Department is under the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency. Additional information about the DMV is on the Department's Web site, which is located at www.dmv.ca.gov.