Pearl River County is among 27 counties in Mississippi to offer a faster way to renew a driver’s license.

Mississippi is the first state in the country to use new technology to make driver’s license renewal and replacement more efficient.

The new kiosks from L-1 Identity Solutions provide self-service capabilities for drivers who require a replacement license or just need to renew. The kiosks can be used only if no changes are needed to the driver’s license.

While a small number of kiosks initially were placed in a few areas of the state in December, there are now 29 kiosks located across 27 counties in Mississippi. According to a press release from the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, the easy-to-use kiosks will eliminate standing in long lines and only take minutes to complete the transaction.

“This new technology makes the renewal and replacement process simple, plus gives Mississippians the option of visiting one of our driver services’ buildings or one of the kiosk machines,” said MDPS Commissioner Stephen Simpson.

According to WLOX, the cost to use the kiosk is a few dollars more than waiting in line.

The release states use of self-service kiosks works just like a bank’s automated teller machine; and just like a bank card, simply swiping an expiring driver’s license or credit card starts the renewal or replacement process. During the process only limited information will appear on the touch screen, and from there, the user can verify information on the driver’s license, take a new picture, and pay for the renewal using a debit or credit card.

Once the transaction is complete, the kiosk issues a receipt that acts as a temporary driver’s license until a permanent one comes in the mail, which should be less than a week later.

“Given the option of standing in line or utilizing something as familiar as an ATM, I believe a lot of Mississippians will take advantage of this technology,” said Gov. Haley Barbour. “The easier and less-painful we can make license renewal, it’s better for the state, and more importantly, it’s better for the taxpayer.

Simpson says the kiosks have safety features to protect each user’s identity.

“The one-to-one facial recognition technology compares the photo on the driver’s license to the new photo of the person standing in front of the kiosk. If they don’t match, you can’t renew a license at the kiosk,” said Simpson.

In addition to the 29 kiosks, there are two stand alone machines in the Yazoo County and Harrison County courthouses. Pearl River County’s kiosk is located at the Driver’s License Office, currently housed at 7012 Highway 11 North, Carriere. The office can be reached by phone at 601-799-1428. However, once Chimney Square officially opens, that office will be relocated to the new building on Goodyear Boulevard.

For drivers who are computer savvy, there is also the option to renew a driver’s license through the Department of Public Safety’s Web site at https://www.ms.gov/hp/drivers/license/renewLicenseBegin.do. As with the kiosks, the online option can be used only if no changes are required to be made to the license, such as a change of address or a name change.