APRIL 3, 2006

One year later, Self-Service Stations are popular option

One year after she unveiled new automated Self-Service Stations that make license tab renewals easier for Michigan drivers, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land announced today that the program is off to a successful start, recording nearly 30,000 transactions and $3 million in revenue over the last 12 months.

"Self-Service Stations are a key part of our efforts to make a trip to the Secretary of State's office a quick and helpful experience," Land said. "It is encouraging to see so many customers using them. This is another effective way technology can be used to enhance customer service for the people of Michigan. I recommend that anyone who has not used these machines yet give them a try. It's as easy as ‘Scan. Pay. Go!'"

There are 28 self-service machines statewide, 17 of which may be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days per week by customers. They are located at 23 PLUS Offices and five SUPER!Centers throughout 17 counties. In March alone, the Self-Service Stations logged more than 5,000 transactions. From April 1, 2005 through March 31, 2006, there were 29,619 tab renewal transactions, generating $2,958,688 in revenue.

Comments from customers confirm that they are pleased with the Self-Service Stations. A visitor to the St. Joseph County PLUS Office in Sturgis wrote, "Wow, that was great, less than two minutes in and out." A Montcalm County PLUS Office customer noted that the units "have really increased efficiency" at the Greenville location.

Another Self-Service Station user wrote, "I just wanted to give you some feedback on your new tab renewal stations….I stopped by our busy SOS office in Westland and pulled into the parking spot at 12:17 p.m. Went inside to the machine and renewed two vehicles - and was back in my car at 12:22 p.m. I even had time for a real lunch. I am so absolutely pleased with this addition, I've been telling everyone I know."

The stand-alone ATM-style stations feature simple touch-screen instructions and can dispense new license tabs within seconds. Customers simply scan the bar code on a renewal notice with their correct name, address, vehicle information and personal identification number (PIN), then swipe a debit card or Visa, MasterCard or Discover credit card to pay their registration fees.

Tabs may still be purchased online, by phone or mail, but customers who have run out of time to use those methods or who would otherwise have to wait for service at the counter can obtain renewals quickly and easily at a Self-Service Station. Using the Self-Service Stations also frees up office employees to assist others.

Land created PLUS offices and SUPER!Centers as part of her ongoing plan to modernize branch offices. The new facilities provide enhanced services at no extra cost to taxpayers.

They offer a variety of services and conveniences beyond those of traditional branch offices. SUPER!Center benefits include Saturday hours from 9 a.m. to noon, expanded Wednesday hours from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on-site services such as the opportunity for customers to purchase their own driving records. PLUS offices offer many of the same advantages except for Saturday hours.

Visit the department Web site at www.Michigan.gov/sos for more information about offices and services.

Related Link
> More Details about Self-Service Stations Usage (PDF)