BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Kentucky’s new vehicle registration system known as “KAVIS” (Kentucky Automated Vehicle Information System) continues to frustrate county clerks across the state two and half months after it first rolled out to replace the state’s old AVIS system.
Martin County Clerk Susie Skyles is one of those clerks.
“The new system is a huge change and a lot to get used to,” Skyles said. “The system has a lot of bugs and glitches that the state is still sorting out. For us and our customers, there are long lines—people waiting forever to be waited on—and many times customers are having to make several trips to complete their transactions.”
One of the biggest issues now is merging customer records, according to Skyles.
“In the old system, maybe there was one line on a record that had a customer’s identifying number on it. Now all the different ways that customers were identified have to be merged,” said the clerk. “A maiden name versus a married name versus a nickname such as ‘Becky’ and ‘Rebecca.”
Back taxes on boats, trailers or cars that customers might have had in the past have now moved over to the new system.
“We’re having to work with the PVA (Property Valuation Administrator) to resolve those back tax records,” explained Skyles. “So if an old tax bill shows up, we have to stop transactions, talk to the PVA office, get the record resolved, and then go on with the transaction. That means a five-minute transaction turns into 30 minutes or multiple trips back to our office. We have frustrated customers and frustrated clerks, but there is nothing we can do locally to make this better.”
Skyles warns customers to be prepared to wait and to know what to bring:
• A driver’s license or state-issued identification card
• A renewal notice and the previous year’s registration
• A printed copy of Kentucky proof of insurance or insurance email or fax number
In a recent press release, the Kentucky County Clerks Association warns that March is the business month in county clerks’ motor vehicle departments. The month includes renewals for farm tags, campers, trailers, March birthdays, fleets and heavyweight places; it’s also the start of the boat renewal season.
According to the release, the KCCA has called on the state transportation cabinet to resolve issues with KAVIS.
Skyles believes the new system will be better after the bugs are worked out.
“I don’t know how long that is going to take, but I know this has been difficult for everyone, including the clerks working in my office,” she said. “I so appreciate the patience that customers have shown us.”