Here's How Gov. Newsom Plans To Reinvent The DMV

CALIFORNIA — There are plenty of running jokes about the dreaded DMV — the employees are like sloths, you'll have to wait in a long line regardless of whether you made an appointment, and you better show up an hour before it opens if you plan on leaving at a reasonable time. In short, everything about the DMV is slow (and at times, painful).

But Gov. Gavin Newsom plans to speed things up by reinventing the DMV. Newsom unveiled his plan last week as he released a report detailing efforts the DMV is making to improve services after wait times averaged two hours last summer, KCRA reported.

The state hired the high-powered firm McKinsey & Company to recommend improvements, with the funding coming out of roughly $240 million in new money the DMV got in this year’s state budget, KTLA reported.

There are three ways Newsom plans to improve customer service at the DMV: start accepting credit cards at field offices, reduce wait times, and bring the private sector experience to the DMV.

Currently, credit cards are not accepted at DMV offices, but that's about to change. Newsom said California signed a contract for credit card services and promised to launch a pilot program starting in Davis in September, before expanding elsewhere, according to KCRA.

“We need to prove that we can use your tax dollars wisely," Newsom said. "We need to prove that the government can work."

The governor also said he's committed to improving wait time — the new budget includes money to hire nearly 1,900 temporary employees, but he also encourages drivers to use self-serve kiosks whenever possible, KCRA reported.

"Increase the transactions online, decrease the in-person engagement,” he said.

Newsom also plans to make the DMV website more user-friendly, while using his experience in running small businesses to make improvements, SF Gate reported. As San Francisco mayor, he made a lot of improvements, he said.

"I come from a private sector background and entrepreneurial background," Newsom said. "My entrepreneurial approach is about solving problems, not managing problems."

However, Newsom's critics inside his plan doesn't go far enough, and should be more aggressive, SF Gate reported. Assemblymember Jim Patterson said Newsom isn't reinventing the government agency, he's "making an excuse" for the old DMV.

"There's no reason why we cannot go on the website and be able to pay for our registration or license and have it immediately and quickly and correctly delivered to us, say the day after tomorrow," Patterson said. "Amazon does that all the time."