COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina lawmakers will consider a bill that would make major changes to the Division of Motor Vehicles.

The bill was introduced Thursday by Anderson Rep. Ronny Townsend.

It would remove the DMV from the state Department of Public Safety and make it a stand-alone agency.

The director of the agency would be appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate, instead of serving the DPS director.

House Speaker David Wilkins of Greenville said that the bill would create a direct chain of command and accountability at the agency.

Currently, service is too slow and inefficent at DMV offices, lawmakers said.

"It's absolutely unacceptable," House Speaker David Wilkins of Greenville told WYFF News 4's Tim Waller. "We have got to do better by our citizens and this bill takes a huge step toward doing that."

The bill would also requires the new Division of Motor Vehicles to enter into contracts with public and private entities to administer driving tests.

Driver's license expiration dates would be extended from 5 to 10 years for most people.

Drivers also could get tag renewal stickers and registration from county treasurers' offices or private entities as well as DMV offices.

"It may be the insurance agency would be an authorized agent," Townsend told News 4. "It may be someone who says, 'I want to do all of the fleet vehicle tags in the area, so I'd be willing to contract with DMV to do that.' "

DPS Director Boykin Rose, whose agency would lose control of the DMV, issued a brief statement on Thursday.

"We look forward to working with the Legislature to determine how the DMV can best serve the needs of South Carolina drivers," Rose said.