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DMV tests new decal system

A new system designed to save money and improve efficiency by eliminating the need to order, maintain and stock several years of pre-printed registration decals will be tested this spring by the Division of Motor Vehicles in partnership with 3M.

If the six-month trial by the DMV’s Commercial Vehicle Services Section is successful the Embedded Decal Pilot Project will lead all DMV or county offices to print registration decals on demand for customers when vehicles are registered.

Blank or “embedded” decals would be incorporated into pre-printed forms containing specific types of registration information, including each customer’s license plate number. The embedded decals can be used for any registration period or plate type.

Each DMV and county assessor’s office must currently maintain a large inventory of pre-printed decals in several categories (numbered, multi-year, month and plate type) for two or more years in advance. Eventually the unused, outdated pre-printed decals must be destroyed.

The new system should cut costs by lowering inventory requirements because stock could be replenished as needed within a few months instead of the current process which requires ordering, maintaining and stocking decals two or more years in advance.

“For the public, this will help the motor carriers by saving them some time and eliminating any possible confusion. For the department, it will eliminate wasting stickers and help prevent errors when distributing them,” said Debra Hall with Commercial Vehicle Services.

ITD/DMV embedded decals will use white, gray and black background variations instead of the current red, white and blue schemes to differentiate three distinct years. The decals will all be 7/8” high and 1 5/8” wide.

3M will manufacture the paper with the embedded decal that will be used. The corporation currently provides the reflective material used on all Idaho license plates.

Proposed changes to the decal program have been reviewed by state and local law enforcement agencies. For questions on the pilot project contact Alan Frew, Commercial Vehicles Services manager, at ext. 8809.

Published 5-19-06