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Dispatches from public radio's correspondent at the Oregon Legislature. This is a venue for political and policy coverage of the state government in Salem and its impact on the people of Oregon.

A Better DMV? Oregon Lawmaker Wants To Study Agency's Service Levels

ODOT
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File photo of an Oregon DMV clerk helping a customer.

An Oregon lawmaker wants the state to improve customer service at the DMV -- in part by offering longer hours with shorter wait times.

Oregon DMV officials say surveys show a high rate of satisfaction among customers. But due in part to staff cutbacks the average wait time has nearly doubled over the past four years. And two years ago the agency stopped opening its doors on Saturdays.

Republican Representative Kevin Cameron says that's the opposite of what they should be doing.

"This is a small area in our state that I'd like us to take a look at and see if we can put a customer service face so that the people of Oregon can say 'yeah, the state's listening to me,'" he says.

Cameron's bill would create a task force to study the feasibility of adding Saturday hours and shortening wait times.

Washington state's DMV says it's cut their wait time dramatically over the past two years. That happened after lawmakers there approved a measure to privatize testing of new drivers.