Gilroy
– While motorists in other parts of California are spending less
time at the Department of Motor Vehicles, it’s still a good idea to
bring a book when headed to Gilroy’s branch.
Gilroy – While motorists in other parts of California are spending less time at the Department of Motor Vehicles, it’s still a good idea to bring a book when headed to Gilroy’s branch.
A department-wide effort to improve DMV efficiency has slashed wait times considerably in the state’s 91 largest offices. DMV Director Chon Gutierrez and other DMV officials are boasting improved wait times of more than 75 minutes in San Francisco, Santa Monica and San Diego locations.
But because Gilroy’s DMV does not fall into that bracket, motorists most likely will just have to wait.
Reductions in wait times are estimated through the DMV’s queuing system, where customers take a number upon entering the DMV and are serviced when their number is called. But because Gilroy’s DMV does not operate on a queuing system, it’s difficult to accurately estimate how wait times will be affected, said DMV spokesperson Armando Botello.
Motorists at Gilroy’s DMV last weekend didn’t seem encouraged.
“It doesn’t look much different than it did six months ago, does it?” said Susan Mendez, eyeing a line nearly snaking out the door.
“Personally, I wonder if people will ever not have to wait when they come here. It doesn’t seem like it, no matter what they do to try and help things. That’s just the way it is – too many people and not enough space.”
Other motorists echoed Mendez’s disappointments, but a few shrugged their shoulders and accepted the necessity of the DMV with good-natured resignation.
The closest DMV to benefit from the upgrade is in Santa Teresa at 180 Martinvale Lane. Wait times there plunged by about an hour between January and July, Botello said.
That may help reduce Gilroy’s lines as many South Bay motorists – at the recommendation of the San Jose Mercury’s Mr. Roadshow Gary Richards – drove to smaller DMV’s in Gilroy and Hollister in order to save time waiting in lines.
The improvements in the larger offices are credited largely to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who several months ago announced a coordinated effort to increase DMV efficiency. The plan included a 400-employee increase following a statewide hiring freeze, as well as experimental touch-screen kiosks in a Sacramento location and soon in Los Angeles. The software-based machines dispense vehicle registration, license plate tags and registration cards, and customers pay with cash, check or credit card.
In addition, the DMV also upgraded its automated phone system, reduced paperwork for renewals, and expanded its Web site registration capabilities including the elimination of a $4 convenience fee. The DMV’s Web site also is available in Spanish.
