SEPTEMBER 11, 2008

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land today announced that certain auto-related businesses regulated by her agency now have the convenient option of renewing their annual licenses online.

The Department of State's Online Business License Renewals Project is the latest advancement in Land's nonstop drive to provide modern, cost-effective services that save time for customers. It lets auto dealers and salvage yards renew their licenses using a Web-based program.

"Customers deserve service that is convenient as well as high quality," Land said. "That's what our latest online option is all about. It saves our business customers time and money while delivering first-rate service. It's more efficient for our department, too. Using more technology means less paperwork, which results in greater efficiencies and less human error when processing applications. We're excited about this next step in our customer service revolution and look forward to announcing additional innovations."

The service will be made available to other businesses and professionals such as repair facilities, mechanics and driver education instructors and providers in the future.

The department issues about 65,000 business and occupational licenses, certifications and registrations each year, most of which are renewals.

The new service allows those seeking renewals to avoid filling out a paper application and mailing it to the department along with a payment check. Instead, program users simply enter basic information to the onscreen forms and pay with Visa or MasterCard.

Users receive a confirmation e-mail from the department within 24 hours.

The program, which protects information through the use of personal identification numbers, also lets customers check the status of their licenses or certifications in "real time."

Accessing the program is easy. Just go to the department Web site at www.Michigan.gov/sos and click on the "Automotive-related Businesses" link.

The program is not available to applicants who are seeking first-time licenses, current license-holders who have changed their types of businesses, those whose licenses have expired or to those who do not intend to renew all of their active licenses.

Visit the department Web site for more information on services and office locations.