JUNE 22, 2009
Record numbers of Michigan residents are opting for the convenience of
renewing their license
plate registrations online or on automated
Self-Service
Stations rather than at the branch office counter, Secretary
of State Terri Lynn Land said today.
The department's online vehicle and watercraft renewal program reached its
11th anniversary on June 19, having recorded the most successful year in its
history with more than 1.1 million transactions. That compares to 50,267
transactions in the program's first year.
Another means of vehicle registration, the department's
Self-Service Station
program, set a record in three consecutive months with 12,851 transactions
in March, 13,358 in April and 16,330 in May. The ATM-style machines allow
residents to print off their license plate tabs by scanning a bar code on their
renewal notice and then swiping a credit or debit card.
"A rapidly growing number of residents have discovered that renewing their
registration online or on a Self-Service Station is a quick and convenient way
to do business," Land said. "These user-friendly options save our customers time
and the state money."
Land added that the technology will prove to be especially helpful over the
next few months.
"With six mandated state employee furlough days this summer, these
alternative avenues to registration can help many of our customers minimize any
inconvenience," she said.
After receiving their registration renewal notice in the mail, customers may
renew their plates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by logging on to
www.Michigan.gov/sos. They'll be prompted to enter the PIN
number from their renewal notice and the number of their valid VISA, MasterCard
or Discover credit card. Their registration and license plate tab will then be
mailed to them.
On average, transactions handled
over the Internet can be
processed at half the cost to the state of doing so at a branch office counter,
Land said.
There are 55 Self-Service Stations statewide, 25 of which may be accessed
24/7. They are located at 38 PLUS offices, eight traditional branch offices, six
SUPER!Centers and three municipal buildings.
Land created PLUS offices and SUPER!Centers as part of her ongoing initiative
to modernize branch offices. The facilities provide expanded hours and enhanced
services at no extra cost to taxpayers.
Customers still can renew their tabs by phone or mail as well. Visit the
department's Web site at www.Michigan.gov/sos or call
1-888-SOS-MICH for more information about offices and services.
Related Links
> List of Online Services
> License plate
registration Renewals
> Self-Service
Stations
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