ATTORNEY GENERAL MIKE MCGRATH
STATE OF MONTANA

FOR RELEASE: May 23, 2008

CONTACT: Kristine Thatcher (406) 444-1778; Patrick McJannet (406) 444-1779

MVD: Driver Exam Station Schedules to Change for Equipment Upgrade

HELENA – The Motor Vehicle Division of the Montana Department of Justice announced today that over the next six weeks or so, there will be reduced hours at driver exam stations as the MVD updates licensing equipment and software.

The changes will begin the week of May 26th in the Helena bureau, and the schedule calls for the gradual, station-by-station updates to be finished by mid-July. On Wednesday May 28th, the Helena exam station will be closed from noon to 5 p.m.

The Department of Justice will post a regularly updated schedule on the home page of its website —www.doj.mt.gov — under "featured topics." Kristine Thatcher, MVD Driver Licensing Bureau Chief, said up-to-date scheduling information will also be available by calling the MVD customer service line at (406) 443-3680.

"All stations will have adjusted hours to accommodate the equipment installations," Thatcher said, noting that the schedule on the website will be updated weekly.

"We're really encouraging people to check the online schedule shortly before they plan to go to the exam station," she said.

The improvements are part of the ongoing Montana Enhanced Registration and Licensing Information Network — MERLIN — project.

"These changes bring us one step closer to a consolidated database of all driving record and motor vehicle information," Thatcher said. "Ultimately, these improvements allow us to produce a much more secure driver license, and provide better customer service across the state.

"We appreciate our customers' patience and understanding."

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