'In God We Trust' Plate Unveiled; BMV Chief Says Job Safe

GREENWOOD, Ind. -- After a ceremony unveiling a new Indiana license plate with the words "In God We Trust" Thursday, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles commissioner -- under fire for computer problems that hindered transactions at license branches -- said his job was safe.

BMV Commissioner Joel Silverman was at a Greenwood license branch to unveil the new plate's design, which has a blue background, an American flag design on the bottom and the words "In God We Trust" on the left. The plate will be available next year.

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Video: 'In God We Trust' Plate Unveiled; BMV Chief Says Job Safe

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The design was among four that were considered. The General Assembly passed a bill to create the plate during this year's legislative session. Drivers who want the plate do not have to pay an extra fee.

At the ceremony, a reporter asked Silverman whether the BMV's computer problems -- which began when the agency switched to a new system July 5 -- would be finished by the time the new plate is available. Silverman objected.

"Basically, lines and wait times are exactly the same, just about, within a minute or two, where they were pre-conversion," Silverman said. "We're pretty much here to talk about the 'In God We Trust' license plate, and I'm not entertaining any questions on the system, although it is fully functional, fully operational, and normalized as to what it was like prior to the conversion."

Despite Silverman's comment, the BMV is still warning that self-service terminals may not process all transactions, and two of eight reinstatement centers for suspended drivers are still closed, 6News' Norman Cox reported.

After the July 5 computer switch, people had difficulty making transactions for days at license branches, and online service and self-service terminals also were down for several days.

Following Thursday's ceremony, Silverman declined to discuss the computer issues. Cox asked whether he felt his job was in jeopardy.

"Absolutely not, sir," Silverman responded.

Last week, Gov. Mitch Daniels said there would be repercussions for the BMV's problems. Also last week, Daniels reversed Silverman's decision to impose late fees on people who missed July 31 deadlines to renew vehicle registrations.

House Minority Leader Pat Bauer, a Democrat, suggested to reporters earlier this month that Daniels, a Republican, should fire Silverman.