(Columbia-AP) March 6, 2003 - The director of the Division of Motor Vehicles would have to answer to the governor under a bill given key approval in the House on Wednesday.

The bill would make major changes in DMV operations, making it a stand-alone cabinet agency with a director appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. The DMV is currently under the Public Safety Department.

When House Speaker David Wilkins unveiled a the bill in February he said, "DMV has been like the red-headed stepchild. Now it will be a stand-alone with direct command and accountability."

Legislators spent more than four hours debating the bill, before passing it on a 97-13 vote. The bill still requires a third reading before it is sent to the Senate for debate.

The division came under fire last summer when a new computer system designed to streamline operations created longer lines at offices statewide.

The bill attempts to remedy those lines by offering other options for DMV customers. Under the bill, drivers could get tag renewal stickers and registration from DMV offices, county treasurers' offices or private entities.

The bill calls for drivers' license expiration dates to be extended from five to ten years for most people. It also allows drivers to get tag renewal stickers and registration from DMV offices, county treasurers' offices or private entities.

A task force appointed by Governor Mark Sanford to study the agency reported earlier this year that the DMV had slow mail-in services, inefficient call centers, cramped offices and a multimillion-dollar computer system that is not completely functional.

updated 8:47am by Chris Rees