Massachusetts, Virginia Lead Online DMV Efforts

If you want to pay a traffic ticket online, you'd better live in Massachusetts or you won't be able to do it, according to a new study that examines the depth and breadth of motor vehicle services available online throughout the 50 states.

The ability to pay traffic citations and renew drivers' licenses online remain two largely untapped growth areas of online motor vehicle services, according to a study released May 21 by Accenture's government practice in Reston, Va.

The study, titled "2001 State Motor Vehicle Agencies Internet Utilization," updates a similar study published last year by Accenture. The data cited in the new study was collected in January.

Comparing the first study to the second one shows significant progress is being made to expand the number of motor vehicle services available online.

According to the new study, 39 percent of the states offer only information and downloadable forms (down from 70 percent), 59 percent of the states offer at least one other service (up from 25 percent) and 29 percent of the states offer at least two other services (up from 8 percent).

The most common interactive service available online is vehicle registration, according the study.

While only Massachusetts allows ticket payment online, six states allow citizens to renew their drivers' licenses online, according to the study.

The study singled out Massachusetts and Virginia as leaders in offering motor vehicles services through the Web. Each offers seven out of the eight services covered in the report.

Virginia does not offer online payment of traffic citations, and Massachusetts does not offer online transaction inquiry, according to the study.