Boise (670 KBOI News) – Software problems at the Idaho Transportation Department have led to long wait times to get drivers’ licenses, or DMV offices that are closed altogether…and the Idaho Sheriffs’ Association is tired of their employees taking the blame for it.
At the Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Canyon County Sheriff Kieran Donahue spoke for the Idaho Sheriffs’ Association, saying it’s time ITD get the problem figured out.
“The citizens and the customers throughout the state of Idaho are the ones who are really taking a beating on this thing,” said Donahue. “These people are leaving their jobs, to come get their driver’s licenses renewed, or get a driver’s license, people who have CDL licenses, who do this for a living.”
Donahue told reporters they asked ITD not to roll out their new software until December, to give DMV employees more time to get used to it. Instead, it was deployed August 10th, and has to slowdowns ever since.
The Association wants the legislature to change the law, which requires Sheriff’s Offices to run drivers licensing operations for the I-T-D.
ITD Administrator Alberto Gonzalez says they understand how frustrated Sheriffs, DMV employees and customers are with the ongoing computer and software problems in the state’s drivers licensing system.
He told reporters they’re working on a temporary solution, which would remove the vendor of their issuance system from the equation…
“We intend on implementing this solution by Thursday,” said Gonzalez. “And we believe that, on as permanent solution standpoint, this will be the solution that will allow us to provide the services Idahoans deserve, and that sheriffs and their staffs can depend on.”
Gonzalez didn’t go into details on what the problem was — or the solution, for that matter.
He said the solution would be an Idaho solution, but they would still need to work with the vendor.
There have been 11 DMV shutdowns this year.
