‘Enough is enough’: Steve Hilton’s plan for California DMV’s

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) — In a news conference yesterday, Steve Hilton announced a plan to abolish the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

"This is step one in our plan to cut the cost of living for Californians," Hilton said.

Under Hilton’s proposal, DMV services such as routine title, registration, license-plate and renewal transactions would move to county offices and certified local service centers. The plan also calls for leases deemed unnecessary to go unrenewed, with those facilities instead converted into “after-school clubs that serve as skills and job-training centers.”

Hilton also wants to replace the current vehicle-registration fee formula, which can cost hundreds of dollars, with a flat $73 fee.

This is not the first time a Republican California governor candidate has made DMV and vehicle-registration fees a campaign issue. In 2003, Arnold Schwarzenegger campaigned on repealing Gov. Gray Davis’ tripling of the vehicle license fee, which had become a major issue in the recall election. After taking office, Schwarzenegger rescinded the increase.

Tonight, News Channel 3 is speaking with residents to learn how Hilton’s proposal could affect their finances amid continued inflation.