(Source: The Deming Headlight)
By Matt Robinson, The Deming Headlight, N.M.
Dec. 2--How about this for a dilemma: Sit at your home in comfortable pajamas while renewing your vehicle registration, or get out to your local Motor Vehicle Division office and wait in line for the next available clerk.
Secretary Rick Homans, of the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department, which oversees the MVD, was in Deming on Tuesday to unveil the "DRIVE MVD" initiative. The new initiatives are designed to improve customer service and improve efficiency by utilizing the website www.mvd.newmexico.gov.
"DRIVE MVD is all about putting customers in the driver's seat so they have more options when they do business with MVD and it's our commitment to provide better customer service when they visit our field offices," he said in a release. "We want our customers to remember -- there's no line when you go online."
Drivers who renew their registration online will receive a five-percent discount off the base rate. There is a $1.25 service fee for credit card use, but even with the fee, folks will save from 10-cents to $4.95 for online registration.
An added attraction is the addition of the five most commonly used forms to the website. Folks may now log on to fill out and print forms for the physically challenged parking placard, change of address, confidential records release, bill of sale and application for personalized/specialty license plates. The goal is for customers to fill out the forms online, print out the documents and visit their local office to complete their business. The forms should cut problems with legibility and incomplete information.
"Our goal here is to switch over, to give customers as many options as possible," Homans told visitors to the meeting held at the Special Events Center. Representatives from the City of Deming, Luna County and various MVD field offices were present, among others. In addition to options, Homans hopes the changes will give customers "more control."
"Ultimately, we'd like the public to be able to do everything online," MVD Director Michael Sandoval said in a release. "And while many people will still have to come into the office, we plan on making it a much better experience."
The website features clear, easy-to-read text with the option to increase or decrease text size. Maps are also included, which show the locations of field offices, ports of entry, interlock providers and driving schools.
S. U. Mahesh, Tax and Revenue Department director of communications, said the system is secure and private information is protected.
Matt Robinson can be reached at mrobinson@demingheadlight.com
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