BOISE — Idaho Driver's License offices are run by the county sheriff's office. However, the Idaho Transportation Department is in charge of the software they use. When the new program failed this past summer everyone was working together to find a solution. Now it seems county sheriffs are fed up.
"The system failed catastrophically," said Sheriff Kieran Donahue, who is the Idaho Sheriff's Association President and the Canyon County Sheriff. "What is so maddening for the sheriff's association is that from day one ITD has continued to blame counties for this problem. It has nothing to do with the counties."
Last week we interviewed a spokesperson from the Idaho Department of Transportation about the wrong picture appearing on someone's driver's license. Jennifer Gonzalez said it was an isolated problem that happened at the counter of a driver's license office and safeguards have been put in place so it doesn't happen again.
"We have dozens in Canyon County alone, Kootenai County, Idaho County, Bannock County, you name any county and they're having the same problems today," said Donahue. "They're probably having the same issue today and you don't think ITD is aware of that?"
Although no one from ITD was available for an on-camera interview Wednesday, communication manager Vince Trimboli said the system for driver's licenses is stabilized now.
According to ITD, when the new vendor software program was introduced this summer there were 250 issues with pictures or names on driver's licenses. Trimboli says since the problem has been fixed 80,000 cards have been printed with only two related problems.
"I'm here to tell you this thing is not fixed," Donahue said.
He says what's happening right now are workarounds for a system that doesn't work. He says what's needed is something new and something now.
"I would hope the state gets this moving as quickly as possible," Donahue said.
ITD wants to continue working with the Idaho Sheriff's Association, saying it has been instrumental through this difficult process. Donahue is asking for transparency and accountability in order for that to happen.