Starting tomorrow, July 1, DMV customers will be assessed a $1 technology fee for any DMV transaction that requires a fee. The fee is expected to raise $5 million per year and help offset the cost of a $109 million System Modernization project approved by the Nevada Legislature. The fee will sunset in 2020.

“The new system will help us reduce wait times and give our customers more options outside of office visits,” said DMV Director Troy Dillard. “The DMV processes eight million plus transactions per year and the outdated systems we currently use are just not able to keep up with the demand. This upgrade will allow us to better serve the people of Nevada,” he added.

The System Modernization Project is expected to be complete in five years. The new system will place all DMV transactions on a single platform that will be able to adapt to an ever-changing technology landscape.

Currently, the department uses several different platforms that operate on antiquated technologies such as PowerBuilder and COBOL (Common Business Oriented Language).  The existing systems make it difficult and time consuming to keep up with state and federal mandates, stay current with new technologies and meet the growing demands of a technology-savvy public.  The department also has difficulty recruiting IT professionals who are knowledgeable on these older systems.

Dillard said a major benefit of the new system will be a complete revamp of the department’s internet services to better support smartphones, tablets, PCs and kiosks.

“Today, nearly half of our online transactions are conducted on mobile devices. We see that trend continuing with mobile transactions growing in the future. System modernization will allow us to design systems that meet the needs of our customers today while preparing for that future.

“In addition to the ability to provide improved service to our customers, the system will be comprised of an integrated finance system, inventory control system, correspondence management system, customer relationship management system (with call routing, integrated help, fillable online forms, chat support), business analytics and a case management system,” said Dillard.

Dillard said the agency’s goal is to implement a modernized Information Technology platform that is easy to configure, maintain and update.  The modernized solution will provide enhanced security, disaster recovery and provide functionality that is easily upgraded to provide an optimal customer service experience, he said.