House and Senate conferees have completed work on a DMV bill. The House has approved it, and only the Senate's approval is needed for the bill to be sent to the governor for his signature, The Associated Press reports.

The bill would have DMV become a Cabinet-level agency, whose director would be named by the governor. The agency is now under the Department of Public Safety, whose director serves a staggered term, and is currently not a Sanford appointee. The agency formerly has been a division of the state Department of Revenue and of the highway department. In each instance, the results have been less than satisfactory to the public.

Putting the DMV under the governor would make him ultimately responsible for improving an agency with which South Carolinians deal on a personal basis, as they have car-title work done or get their driver's licenses renewed. Too often, the lines have been too long.

DMV's $40 million computer system was supposed to solve its many problems, but in some instances compounded them for customers, who reported longer waits, as well as for county auditors, who reported that inaccurate information on car registrations, used for tax bills, was being forwarded to them.

The bill before the Senate also would have the Legislative Audit Council conduct periodic reviews of the agency's performance. The LAC can determine if privatization of some agency functions, which the bill envisions, and the extended period for license examinations, from five to 10 years, are working as planned.

Gov. Sanford recently announced internal improvements at the agency, including Saturday openings in regional offices during the summer, license renewal on the Internet and the use of greeters who will help customers get their paperwork in order at DMV offices. The administrative overhaul envisioned by the bill will ensure that the governor can stay on top of DMV improvements, now and in the future.

Endorsing the DMV proposal also will signal the Legislature's recognition that strengthening the governor's office is key to effective governance. That acknowledgment is central to plans to put the state Department of Education and the Department of Agriculture in the governor's Cabinet next year.

Continuing the restructuring plan that began under former Gov. Carroll Campbell will enable the state's chief executive to streamline operations and improve the efficiency and responsiveness of state government. DMV is a logical place to begin the next round of state government reorganization.