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Michigan to Simplify Online, Self-Service ID Renewal Process

The state is looking to shorten time it takes to renew driver's licenses and state IDs starting in March by upgrading its online offerings and some 135 self-service stations at its offices and certain grocery stores.

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Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson speaks to the media Monday, Nov. 2, 2020.
TNS
(TNS) — The Michigan Department of State hopes to shorten time it takes to renew your driver's licenses and state IDs starting in March by upgrading its online offerings and self-service stations.

It may cost you a few dollars more. But, if you hate long lines, it might be worth it.

The upgrade, the department said, will expand the capability of the 135 automated, self-service stations at its offices and certain Kroger and Meijer stores statewide to include driver’s license and state ID transactions.

"We have continuously expanded and improved customer options and service, even during the pandemic," said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. "This upgrade will truly make our operations better than ever."

At the same time, the department also is warning that if you use traditional services using the mail, to "allow extra time" to get plates, tabs, licenses and IDs. The U.S. Postal Service, the department said, "is experiencing delays at some facilities."

And for one week, the upgrade services will be briefly disrupted for the change. Branch appointments, online and self-service station transactions will be unavailable from 5 p.m. March 11 to 9 a.m. March 16 while the system is brought online.

All of the machines accept credit and debit cards and some accept cash. Expect to pay a $3.95 service fee, however, for the convenience, and a 2.3 percent processing fee if paying by credit or debit card.

In addition to delivering instructions in English, the stations also will offer them in Spanish, Arabic and Vietnamese.

Officials said the project enhances a decades-old system and puts tens of millions of driver and vehicle records on one system. Other new services include:

Viewing the status of the requested driver’s license or state ID. And adding a motorcycle endorsement to an eligible driver’s license. Requesting and obtain your driving record.

More stations are planned, in branch offices and other locations.

The department also is simplifying the graduated driver licensing process to reduce customer visits to branch offices.

Student drivers will be issued a photo license hard card for a Level 1 license, instead of a paper license. This way, teens won’t need to return to the branch office for their Level 2 or Level 3 licenses.

Their operator’s license will be mailed to them upon turning 18.

A few other upgrades are coming to the Dearborn office at 5094 Schaefer Road, and four Upper Peninsula branch offices.

The Dearborn office will be closed from Feb. 22 to Feb. 26 to move into a nearby suite  that is larger. The new office is set to open March. 1. Benefits include a larger lobby, restrooms and access to a self-service station.

The Upper Peninsula branch offices in Bessemer, Iron River, Iron Mountain and Menominee will shift their hours to 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. central time to match the operating hours of branch offices in the eastern time zone, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

©2021 the Detroit Free Press, Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.