DMV tech problems persist

RICHMOND, Va.(WAVY) - Virginians trying to get a driver's license or file tax returns and make payments continue to wait for the state's problem-plagued centralized computers to be back up and running. Several state state agencies are still reporting problems as of Wednesday, making it one full week since the problem began. Still no word on when the problem will be resolved.

The Virginia Information Technologies Agency has been working tirelessly to fix the computer outage that affected nearly 30 state agencies. The outage also prompted Gov. Bob McDonnell to call for an independent third party to investigate the problems, including whether contractor Northrop Grumman should reimburse the state for lost business and productivity.

As of Tuesday, computer problems continued to affect the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Taxation and the State Board of Elections. Other agencies also were experiencing minor issues relating to the failure at VITA's large suburban Richmond computing center, one of several data storage systems in different parts of Virginia.

Teams are working to restore all the affected agencies to a fully operational status and have made significant progress, Virginia's Secretary of Technology Jim Duffey said in a statement. Duffey asked for "continued understanding and patience of state employees and citizens as this work continues."

The outage has left people unable to get or renew driver's licenses or identification cards at the DMV's 74 customer service centers. About 5,000 license or ID cards expired as of Monday without being able to be renewed, spokesman Melanie Stokes said.

Virginia State Police won't be ticketing people who were unable to renew their licenses since last Wednesday because of the computer outage, spokeswoman Corinne Geller said in a statement.

At the state tax department, the outage prevented taxpayers from filing tax returns and making payments. But any filings or payments that are late because of the computer problems will not be assessed penalties or interest, the agency said on its website.

A spokeswoman for the Board of Elections did not immediately provide details of the effects on the agency.

VITA and its corporate partner, Northrop Grumman, have been criticized in scathing reports from the General Assembly's investigative arm, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, for cost overruns, service outages, slow service and delays that have paralyzed state agencies numerous times since the agency was established in 2003.

VITA's 10-year, $2.4 billion contract with the government contracting giant is the largest in Virginia history with a single vendor.

The DMV says Virginians whose ID cards or driver's licenses expired between last Wednesday and whenever the problem has been restored must renew in person. They have to bring a birth certificate, passport, or other document confirming citizenship or legal residency. This requirement is Virginia law and cannot be waived by DMV. A list of available documents is available on the DMV website at the following link: https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/apps/documentbuilder/intro.aspx .

It's not clear when the system will be restored. Alternative service options include using the automated telephone service by calling 1-888-337-4782 or online at www.dmvNOW.com .

The Department of Motor Vehicles aniticipates a high customer volume after the outage is restored. When the outage is resolved, the DMV will be staffed to full capacity to meet increased service demands.