The legislation follows a number of recommendations made by a task force appointed by then Gov.-elect Mark Sanford. The agency would no longer report to the Department of Public Safety, but would be given Cabinet-level status. The governor would appoint its director, and he would be answerable to the governor. Currently, the DMV director reports to the head of the Department of Public Safety, who serves a staggered term, and is currently not a Sanford appointee.

The bill would require DMV to look at privatization options, and would give county treasurers the authority to provide renewal stickers for licenses.

Driver's license renewal would be extended to every 10 years, except for those 65 or older.

Some of the reform measures also were suggested by an ad hoc House committee, though notably the bill does not recommend giving the Legislature authority over the agency as that committee urged. In fact, none of the bill's proposed changes is more necessary than putting the agency under the control of the governor, the state's chief executive officer.

Making the DMV director answerable to the governor will strengthen the accountability of an agency that has had difficulties meeting the needs of its customers. Part of DMV's problems can be traced to its status over the years as the stepchild of other agencies, including the highway department, the Department of Revenue and the Department of Public Safety.

DMV is an agency that most South Carolinians deal with on a face-to-face basis, and the experience has too long been lacking in customer satisfaction. A reform of the agency is a necessity this year, and the plan before the House is aimed in the right direction.