Registration at smog stations a hit with DMV

CARSON CITY - A test of a program that soon will let some Nevada motorists register vehicles with the state at selected smog stations proved successful in a three-day experiment.

The test was conducted at one vehicle emission station in Las Vegas and one in Reno from Thursday to Saturday. People were asked to participate voluntarily and 23 motorists gave it a try.

The state Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety program is expected to be in operation by the end of May.

Customers eligible to register their vehicles at smog stations are those who require a simple renewal without any address changes or late charges. Customers with first-time vehicle registrations still will be required to visit an agency office.

Those registering their vehicles at smog stations will be able to pay with cash, check or credit card.

In addition to the new smog station registration program, two other projects are in the works to make it easier for motorists to conduct business with the agency.

Driver's license and vehicle registration renewal customers soon will be able to conduct their business by logging onto the agency's Web site. An access code will be printed on the renewal forms sent to them in the mail.

The third new alternative will be registering a vehicle or renewing a driver's license by telephone.

''These technological alternatives will provide 24-hour options for our customers,'' said Ginny Lewis, deputy director of the agency. ''In some offices, 35 percent to 50 percent of our customers are standing in line for a simple renewal.''

Lewis estimated that 95 percent of all vehicle registration renewals and 66 percent of all driver's license renewals will be eligible for the new programs.