FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 6, 2002
CONTACT: SID GAULDEN, 803-896-8755

COLUMBIA - The South Carolina Department of Public Safety Division of Motor Vehicles reported few problems yesterday as the new Project Phoenix computer system was put to the test, as clerks processed more than 4,500 transactions in its six open offices -- twice their normal workload. Lines stretched out the door yesterday and today as DMV caught up on the backlog of customers created when offices were closed last week for the conversion to the new computer system.

“The system worked remarkably well its first day,” said DPS Director B. Boykin Rose. “We expected some glitches and had a few, but the overall operation of the system was nearly perfect.”

Six offices will be open again today, 30 will open tomorrow and the remaining 32 will open Thursday. DMV offices were closed last Thursday and Friday and only offered limited transactions the first part of last week as they made the transition to the new database and software.

Offices stayed open late last night to continue serving customers still in line after 5 p.m. The Charleston Leeds Avenue Office and the DMV Help Desk remained staffed until 8:30 p.m. In addition to the heavy workload from the public, DMV employees processed about 30,000 transactions for business and law enforcement customers.

“We have been advising customers for weeks that offices will operate on a limited basis as we make this conversion,” said DMV Deputy Director David Burgis. “But we’re still seeing customers waiting for hours to renew driver’s licenses that don’t expire for two more weeks. We cannot emphasize this point enough: if you don’t have to come to the DMV this week; wait until next week when all our offices will be up and running again.”

Customers are encouraged to log on to the DPS web site (www.scdps.org) where they can print DMV forms and verify that they have the correct documents in hand before heading out to visit DMV.

This is the last major phase of the five-year plan to improve DMV’s technology, business practices and organizational structure. In May 2001, DMV replaced much of its hardware and wiring and installed new driver’s license testing equipment. DMV has converted to a new database to replace the one that had been in use since 1979. It also installed 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.

For more information on Project Phoenix or the office schedules, please log onto http://www.scdps.org/dmv/phoenix/project_phoenix_rollout_schedule.htm

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