Upgrades to DRIVES system will interrupt services at Tag Office

Stephens County in partnership with the Georgia Department of Revenue will upgrade its Georgia Drives Motor Vehicle System.

The Georgia Department of Revenue is upgrading to a new version of the Georgia Driver Record and Integrated Vehicle Enterprise System (DRIVES).

According to Stephens County Tax Commissioner Dene Hicks, this upgrade will keep the county up to date with the latest technology advances and will ensure they have access to the most recent enhancements and features of the software.

She says implementation of the upgrade will require the vehicle registrations and titling services, including e-services, to be unavailable Wednesday, January 13 through Monday, January 18.

Vehicle owners with renewal dates in January are encouraged to do so prior to January 13 to avoid delays.

Hicks says during the implementation period, the Stephens County Tag Office will be open but will not be able to process motor vehicle transactions.

The Motor Vehicle Division will not be able to process transactions.

All online motor vehicle related services including online tag renewal services will be offline January 13 through January 18.

Hicks says during the week of January 19 through the 22, walk-in customers may experience delays and longer than normal wait times.

To avoid such delays, Hicks encourages residents with January and February renewal dates to renew prior to Wednesday, January 13.

She says customers and dealers seeking to conduct any title transactions should complete their business at the Stephens County tag office prior to Wednesday, January 13.

Law enforcement will still have access to motor vehicle records through a statewide backup file.

Again, beginning on Wednesday, January 13 and running through Monday, January 18, the Stephens County Tag Office will not be able to process motor vehicle transactions in-person or online.

For questions regarding this change, contact Hicks by calling 706-886-4753.