JACKSON – Officials said Mississippi is the first state in the country to utilize new technology to make driver’s license renewal and replacement more efficient. New kiosks from L-1 Identity Solutions will provide self-service capabilities for citizens requiring replacement or renewal of licenses, representatives from the Department of Public Safety said.
The easy-to-use kiosks are conveniently located across the state and will eliminate standing in long lines to renew a driver’s license. Authorities said it only takes a few minutes to complete a single transaction.
“This new technology makes the renewal and replacement process simple, plus gives Mississippians the option of visiting one of our driver services’ buildings or one of the kiosk machines,” said Commissioner Stephen Simpson.
The self-service kiosks work just like a bank’s automated teller machine (ATM); and just like a bank card, simply swiping your expiring driver’s license or credit card begins the process.
Limited information will appear on a touch screen, and from there, the user can verify information on the driver’s license, take a new picture, and pay for the renewal using a debit or credit card.
The kiosk issues a receipt that is a temporary driver’s license until a permanent one comes in the mail less than a week later.
“Given the option of standing in line or utilizing something as familiar as an ATM, I believe a lot of Mississippians will take advantage of this technology,” said Governor Haley Barbour. “The easier and less-painful we can make license renewal, it’s better for the state, and more importantly, it’s better for the taxpayer.
Simpson says the kiosks have safety features to protect each user’s identity.
“The one-to-one facial recognition technology compares the photo on the driver’s license to the new photo of the person standing in front of the kiosk. If they don’t match, you can’t renew a license at the kiosk,” said Simpson.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol’s Driver Services’ offices now have a total of 29 kiosks, plus two stand alone machines in the Yazoo County and Harrison County Courthouses.
For a listing of the kiosks in the state, log onto: www.dps.state.ms.us
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