If you’ve ever wanted to skip the line at the Department of Motor Vehicles, the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s office is granting your wishes. It launched Florida’s first motor vehicle registration self-service kiosks on Wednesday in Brandon.
In 2018, the office processed 640,000 registrations -- more than any other transaction. The new machines are expected to greatly reduce wait times for people renewing their registration.
“We are always looking for ways to do things better, faster and cheaper,” said Hillsborough County Tax Collector Doug Belden. “We always look for innovative ways to make it a better experience for the customer.”
The kiosks are equipped with easy-to-use touch screen prompts, allowing customers to print their registration cards and plate stickers in as little as two minutes. Belden said the machines contain signage that provide electronic instructions, similar to an ATM.
The project has taken almost two years to develop. The tax office worked alongside Innovative Technology Incorporation and Terry Rhodes, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety, to create this technology.
Belden plans to deploy these self-service machines to eight other tax office branches.
“We really want to pursue the private sector like grocery stores, malls and anywhere 24/7 for the public to use them there as well,” Belden stated. “It’s a one stop and shop sort of concept.”
Machines accept both cash and credit. Instructions and voice prompts are offered in both English and Spanish.
So far, the kiosks have been installed at the Brandon, Drew Park and North Tampa locations --- three of Hillsborough County’s busiest tax offices.
