FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 15, 2002
CONTACT: SID GAULDEN, 803-896-8755

COLUMBIA – The South Carolina Department of Public Safety announced today that its Division of Motor Vehicles will complete the new equipment rollout begun last year as part of Project Phoenix, a long-term plan to improve technology and customer service. Because DMV is converting from one database to another, it must close offices or operate on a staggered basis from July 29-August 7 as it converts more than 110 million records.

This will be the last major phase of the five-year plan to improve DMV’s technology, business practices and organizational structure. Last May, DMV replaced much of its hardware and wiring and installed new driver’s license testing equipment. DMV will now convert to a new database to replace the one that had been in use since 1979. It will also install new user-friendly software, improving the process and efficiency of some 448 DMV transactions. The final phase of Project Phoenix, scheduled for launch this Winter, will include the introduction of on-line services and banking card services.

"This system has taken years to develop and it’s the only system of its kind; South Carolina is the benchmark for other agencies across the nation" said DPS Director B. Boykin Rose. "Project Phoenix won’t reduce lines overnight, but the plan is a major second step toward improving the way business is done at DMV."

The rollout process will require several days to complete (rollout schedule) because 110 million records must be converted to the new database and validated before the system can go on-line. DMV customers are urged to conduct their transactions by July 26 or wait until August 8. DMV will offer limited transactions July 29-31, including transactions that must be completed to avoid a penalty or to renew a driver’s license or vehicle registration that expires before July 29. All offices will be closed August 1-2 and will re-open on a staggered basis August 5-8.

"As DMV began conversion to the new database, it discovered more than 10,000 duplicate driving credentials and 130,000 deceased individuals still in its active system because the old system had no way to purge or cross-reference these files," said DMV Deputy Director David Burgis. "The new system will update a person’s file as soon as the clerk enters the information and allow law enforcement to access driver files in real time, greatly improving homeland security and public safety."

Project Phoenix Launch

The new system will also allow for quicker production of driver’s license credentials, end random sampling for liability insurance verification and improve access and information exchange for DMV commercial customers, such as tax offices, dealers and the insurance industry.

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SI/92/2002

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