Customers Were Harmed, DMV Severs Ties with 3M

What happens next now that the Connecticut DMV will part ways with its software vendor 3M and find another company to complete its $26 million modernization?

3M software already in place has left drivers with long lines and mistakenly revoked registrations. The NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters have been on the leading edge of this story for years.

We warned viewers this software had troubled rollouts in other states before it was ever in use here and last summer in an exclusive interview we learned the state was having second thoughts about having 3M install the third and final licensing phase of DMV modernization.

At the time, former DMV Commissioner Andres Ayala told us, “I think that as a department we need to step back and look and do our due diligence and find out, is the system that we are going to implement for licensing the correct system?”

Almost six months since the DMV rolled out new registration software in phase two of its modernization and customers still have lots of gripes. Felipe Travecir of Hartford said, “Doesn't work. Doesn't work. It used to be better back in the 90's.”

The agency now has a new management team and a new approach announcing DMV software developer 3M will clean up the mess with phase two then part ways with our state.

New DMV Commissioner Michael Bzdyra said it may be a while before it chooses a new software vendor for the drivers licenses, "We want to make things better for our customers, they've been harmed and we're trying to do everything we to improve things, but, I don't think we're pointing any fingers, again, both parties agree, it's an appropriate to not pursue phase three, the licensing side with them, and to have them finish phase two.”

For now Connecticut will forge ahead with an antiquated drivers’ license system that still works off a 40-year-old mainframe. 3M says in a statement, “We value our relationship with the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles, and 3M is committed to meeting its obligations to the DMV.”

Not moving forward with the 3M drivers’ license software will save the state roughly five million dollars. The jury is still out if this move will save you time at the DMV.

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