Department of Vehicles Services in Hot Water Again for Late License Tabs

The more things change, the more they remain the same at the Minnesota Department of Vehicle Services. Once again the DMV has failed to provide one of the most basic services Minnesotans rely on state government for in a timely manner. As a result, thousands of residents who’ve paid for their license tab renewal stickers have been left hanging, according to the Star Tribune.

Mike McClure mailed his license tab renewal form and fee to the Minnesota Department of Vehicle Services (DVS) in mid-May and expected to have new stickers before his current tabs expired May 31.

His check was cashed, but six weeks later, McClure is still waiting for his tabs to arrive.

McClure, 48, of Apple Valley, is far from alone. A DVS spokeswoman said the agency is behind on processing mailed-in tab and license plate renewals for thousands of Minnesotans, and is bringing on extra staff to help catch up on the backlog.

While most tab renewals get processed on time, nearly 8,000 applications filed since mid-May have been delayed, leaving drivers in the lurch when they get behind the wheel.

With no tabs, drivers like McClure are in a pickle, wondering if they would be ticketed by police for driving with expired tabs. McClure sidestepped the issue, at least temporarily. He was able to get duplicates to put in his rear window from the Apple Valley DVS office that are good for 60 days, until August.

“It is frustrating to me because nobody can tell me when I am going to receive my tabs,” he said. “I can totally see me coming up on August 10 when that temporary permit expires still not having received my tabs.”

RELATED: Dysfunctional DVS Does It Again with Driving Test Backlog Projected to Hit 110,000

This is just the latest in a series of mishaps almost as long as the proverbial lines at the beleaguered state agency.

“We know this delay has caused anxiety for some, and we hope that this letter and law enforcement notification will ease the worries of those affected,” Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services Director Emma Corrie said. “Processing these renewals and getting tabs to customers is a priority, and we’ve dedicated additional staff to process these as quickly as possible. In the meantime, this letter will provide peace of mind to many who are worried about driving without their updated tabs.”

Even with up to 21 additional employees on the case, the backlog may not be cleared up until mid-August. But the way things go at DVS, there will likely be another embarrassing mix-up to take its place at the state agency that’s become the symbol of all that’s wrong with government delivery of services.