Most Of BMV's Computer Glitches Fixed, Commissioner Says

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles has repaired most of the glitches plaguing the agency's $32 million computer upgrade, the agency's chief said Tuesday.

BMV Commissioner Joel Silverman said people can return to branches Wednesday.

"Every day is going to be better," Silverman said. "There's no reason not to come to a branch."

State officials asked residents to postpone visiting license branches last week and Tuesday -- typically the busiest day at the state's 140 branches -- because of lingering computer problems. Branches are closed on Monday.

License branches closed July 1 through July 4 to complete the upgrade, which replaced the agency's 1970s-era mainframe computer system with more-up-to-date file servers and user-friendly software.

Close to 200 million data files had to be converted, including information for more than 4 million licensed drivers.

Still, people spent hours waiting at some license branches Tuesday and BMV workers were unable to log into the new computer system at times.

Silverman said the new computer system still can't perform about 20 tasks, including online license renewal, license reinstatements, RV renewal and personalized plates.

He said he didn't know when everything would be operating smoothly. He said the BMV's online renewal service could resume soon.

About 7 percent of the registration data has had problems transferring between the new and old computer system.

Silverman faulted state contractors for many of the problems.

"Am I happy with the results we've gotten from our partners? No," he said. "...They know they have dropped the ball."

For customers who still cannot be helped at BMV branches this week, Silverman said the BMV will issue 60-day extensions.