Accessible at Idaho's official Web site (www.accessidaho.org), the interactive process allows companies to renew registrations for power units and trailers, as well as make changes to certain vehicle data when renewing. Temporary Vehicle Clearance (TVC) permits also may be purchased and printed for immediate use when renewing online. This option is particularly helpful when existing vehicle registrations are expired or close to expiration. Improved customer service remains a driving force behind Idaho's growing number of eGovernment services. Web-based applications inherently remove mistakes and tedious steps common with paper processes. Previously, businesses could only submit their full fee registration renewals through the mail or at ITD's headquarters in Boise.
"Renewing online is, by far, faster and more convenient," said David Metcalf, of the Idaho Transportation Department Motor Carrier Services. "Full Fee users will love the Web renewal service because they won't have to calculate fees, and those of us at ITD are thrilled because submission errors will be virtually eliminated."
The online Full Fee service also enables reporting service firms to renew registrations for multiple companies.
"Whether a business maintains records for one vehicle or a large number of vehicles, this service makes it extremely quick and easy to stay legal," continued Metcalf. "We are very excited to add this new option to our growing collection of online commercial vehicle services."
People who prefer to renew using the traditional paper method still can do so by printing their renewal list from the online service and following the accompanying instructions, or by mailing a preprinted renewal list sent to carriers in September.
To use the online Full Fee service, users must have a seven-digit Idaho Motor Carrier account number plus an Access Idaho username and password. The username and password can be set up quickly at no charge on the login page.
Payments can be made electronically through Access Idaho's secure payment portal using Visa or MasterCard or by directly debiting from a bank account using checking account and bank routing numbers. Billing via a monthly statement also is available to users who have signed up as Access Idaho subscribers at www.accessidaho.org/subscriber.
Regardless of payment method, a nominal online convenience fee of $1.50 per unit is added to each transaction ($2.50 if a TVC is purchased). Since no taxpayer dollars were used to develop and maintain the service, the convenience fees cover these costs.
Other online commercial vehicle services offered by the state include 120-hour temporary trip permits, annual over-legal permits, hazardous material endorsements, and Interstate Fuel Tax Agreement filing.
About Access Idaho
Access Idaho is the state of Idaho's official Web portal (www.accessidaho.org) and provider of electronic government solutions for the state. The network manager for the portal is Idaho Information Consortium, a subsidiary of eGovernment firm NIC (Nasdaq: EGOV).
Quelle: Business Wire, 13.01.2004
