The Reno County Treasurer’s Office have announced that they will be closed to vehicle business from May 1 through 7 while the state converts to a new system for titling and registering vehicles.
Reno County Treasurer, Clark Miller said the Kansas Department of Revenue is putting into place a new DMV system that replaces three aging mainframe systems used for driver licensing, motor vehicle titling and registration, and inventory management with a single, modern system that is easier to use, maintain and enhance.
The change will take place in two phases. Phase one involves launching the part of the system that affects vehicles. Phase two, which involves driver licensing and other state-issued identification cards and permits, will occur later, possibly as early as August.
“The switchover might inconvenience some of our customers, but it’s a necessary part of the transition,” said Miller. “All we can ask is that our customers are patient with us while we work through this change.”
Miller said that customers who need to renew a vehicle registration need to be aware that web-based applications that interact with the vehicle titling and registration system will also be offline during conversion.
Kansas Web-Tags will shut down at midnight April 26 and will not be back online until May 7. The website already warns customers that online renewals must be made at least 10 days prior to a registration’s expiration date, the last day of the month, for the customer to be guaranteed a timely renewal.
Vehicle owners whose registrations expire in April, and who want to renew online, need to do it by midnight April 26. Otherwise, they are encouraged to renew in person at the Reno County Treasurer’s Office to be sure their renewal is processed by end of day April 30.
Registration renewals due in May, which are printed to be compatible with the new system, will be mailed later than usual. Typically, registration renewals are mailed within the first two weeks of the month prior to their expiration. This cycle, May renewals will mail the fourth week of April.
May registrations can’t be renewed online until after May 7. However, they can be renewed by mail and in person, but not during conversion between May 1 and 7.
Three-Year Project Supported by County Treasurers
County treasurers were pivotal in securing funding for the $40 million DMV modernization project. Because of their support, the 2008 Kansas Legislature passed statutes 75-5159 and 75-5160 that provide the mechanism and authority to collect a $4 fee at the time vehicles are registered.
“The Kansas Department of Revenue and county treasurers view the new DMV system as a much-needed behind-the-counter change that will improve how services are delivered to drivers and vehicle owners throughout Kansas,” said Donna Shelite, director of vehicles for the Kansas Department of Revenue. “We value their commitment and steadfast support bringing this change to fruition.”
Work began in 2009 to customize the DMV system, a 3M product, to make it compatible with Kansas’ laws, regulations and business processes. While the system was being developed, the department sent a team of trainers into the field to teach state and county workers how to use it. After phase two launches, there will be more than 900 workers statewide using the system.
To learn more about the project, visit the Kansas Department of Revenue website at www.ksrevenue.org/dmvproject.html.