Renewing vehicle registration in person at the Douglas County License Bureau keeps money local – Alexandria Echo Press
DOUGLAS COUNTY — Renewing your vehicle registration tabs online may be convenient, but at what cost?
“Filing fees are kept by whatever county or private office is processing the transaction to be used as they need,” said Susan Crotteau, director of the Douglas County License Bureau.
Meaning, when someone renews in person at the Douglas County License Bureau — now located at 821 Cedar Street in Alexandria — the money covers the bureau’s operating costs like payroll, insurance, office supplies, FICA, and PERA — public employees retirement association. Any excess money goes into the county’s general fund which covers any needs the county may have.
Over the last five years, the annual average taken in by Douglas County is $533,293.00.
Crotteau says when people purchase online, the filing fee goes to Ramsey County, even if they are a resident of Douglas County.
When people were told to stay home during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a rise in online renewals.
“COVID impacted our business. More people were either renewing online or sending renewals in. We are down over 14%,” said Crotteau. “If it were not for the increase in filing fees put in place by the state in 2020 and 2021, our percentage we are down would have been much more drastic. COVID has put some private offices out of business.”
Although ordering online may seem like a quicker convenience, there is a waiting period to receive vehicle tabs and those who pay with a credit or debit card are charged 2.49% plus a convenience fee. Oftentimes, it takes weeks after the purchase was made to receive the tabs, if received at all. There have been cases of tabs lost in the mail.
“When you mail in your renewal to the state, if there are any issues, the state keeps your money,” Crotteau said. “You then must come into the license bureau to supply us with the needed information and pick up your tabs.”
Crotteau says the inconvenience of purchasing in person is waiting in line, but people can walk out with their tab the same day.
Susan Crotteau
“For our customer’s convenience, we stay open over lunch,” she added. “Our new location is much more customer friendly, and the customers have commented on how fast the lines move.”
For those still leery of in-person interaction, the bureau has added a drive-up drop box. Simply enclose your renewal, insurance information, and a check and the bureau will mail out your tabs at no cost to you. And, the collected money still stays within the county.
Beyond registration renewals, the bureau also deals with title transfers, handicap parking hangers, driver license renewal, replacement driver licenses, DNR-related transfers and renewals. They offer proctor class D knowledge exams and sell hunting and fishing licenses.
