Car Dealers Dealing With DMV Woes Also

Troubleshooters Learn Issues With DMV’s $26 Million Software Rollout Not Limited to Individuals

Frustrated with long lines and snarled online services with the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicle's software? You’re not alone apparently.

When you buy a car, dealers will often give you the option of registering your vehicle for you. And who wouldn’t take them up on that to avoid waiting on line at a DMV office? Dealers often know exactly what forms are needed, and know the right people to speak with at a DMV office if they have a problem. That is, of course, if dealers go to a DMV office to get their business done.

Since the rollout of the second phase of the Connecticut DMV’s new $26 million software program, dealers apparently have dealt with issues similar to ones individual vehicle owners have had to navigate.

One DMV employee, who does not want to give his name for fear of losing his job, told the NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters he and his co-workers are “getting a couple of dealers saying they are having problems doing transactions online.” So, the Troubleshooters checked in with the Connecticut Automotive Retailers Association. Like individuals, dealers have gone online in many cases to take care of customer vehicle purchases. Jim Fleming, of the Connecticut Automotive Retailers Association, told the Troubleshooters that if you register more than 10 cars, by statute, you have to register them online.

The Troubleshooters asked Fleming about problems his members are dealing with. Fleming tells us he believes "the issues have more to do with (dealer) training and getting used to new system. We are hoping those problems will go away.”

Fleming remains upbeat about the change, and says his organization supports the move by the DMV to modernize a computer system that dates back almost a half century.

“The DMV had to do this. The DMV had to do this to get the new process in place. We're still training our dealers. Give it a little bit more time for people to get used to it. My hope is we're going to have the best system in the country when this is done," Fleming said.

In fact, Fleming said he looks forward to the day when the new computer system is "running smoothly enough that the DMV can introduce new features like electronic titling for example.”

You can be sure the NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters will check back with the Connecticut Automotive Retailers Association to see if any progress has been made.

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