SANDPOINT — An ongoing hardware modernization project and the novel coronavirus pandemic have formed an unholy alliance that is lengthening wait times at the Department of Motor Vehicles, according to the Idaho Transportation Department.

The Idaho Transportation Department's Division of Motor Vehicles is providing an extension on expiring vehicle registrations and driver's licenses. In an effort to reduce wait times at county DMV offices, non-commercial vehicle registrations and driver's licenses due to expire between September and December of this year now have until Jan. 31, 2021, to renew, ITD said on Thursday.

The state began implementing the fourth and largest phase of the state's DMV modernization project, which moves vehicle registration and titling system from a 1980s-era to an updated computer program. Eight million records were integrated into a one-person/one-record system, linking each Idahoan's registration and title information with their license.

The new system, however, has temporarily slowed vehicle registration and title processing. The coronavirus pandemic and attendant social distancing measures has limited hours and appointment times is also contributing to a backlog in service, according to ITD.

"People with expiring registrations and licenses don't need to rush to the DMV. These extension should give them some relief, help reduce crowd sizes, and also open up appointment windows where available at county offices," said DMV Administrator Alberto Gonzales.

The Idaho DMV is also encouraging people to renew their registrations online, by mail or by using drop boxes at county DMV offices.

The upgrades are causing headaches for Bonner County residents and staff at the county DMV office in Ponderay.

"I've been trying to get in there for a week and a half," said a longtime Bonner County resident who asked that he not be named.

The resident said wait times can extend up to four hours.

"That is grossly excessive," he said.

Bonner County Assessor Donna Gow said the county has repeatedly advised ITD that the parts of the new system aren't working and information regarding fees remains incorrect, which is forcing clerks throughout the state to phone ITD in a search for answers.

"This is what has caused the long lines at the motor vehicle offices. Several offices throughout the state close several hours early or close one day a week to try and catch up on the backlog," Gow said.

Gow said Bonner County has chosen to close on Wednesday to chip away at the backlog.

"The motor vehicle staff and I appreciate most everyone's patience and understanding during this transition. The staff is upset and frustrated as the public," said Gow.

Gow is also counseling the public not to go by the fees printed on renewals and to avoid making out checks to the DMV.

Jillian Garrigues of ITD's Office of Communication said the new Gem system seeks to reconcile errors, discrepancies and duplications in the data, which is causing slower transaction times.

"As with any large technology upgrade, there are going to be some challenges and learning curves to overcome. Upgrading from a 40-year-old computer system is a big project, and merging years of data is not easy," Garrigues said on Friday.

ITD expects the Gem system to be running smoothly this month.

"This is the last and largest phase of the project for now, but Gem gives us the ability to eventually make more advancements in the online services we provide to Idaho drivers," Garrigues said.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com or followed on Twitter @KeithDailyBee