DMV offices in many states are actually run as private businesses under contract to the state, not by the state government directly. In my state, actual govern

DMV offices in many states are actually run as private businesses under contract to the state, not by the state government directly. In my state, actual government offices are generally less seedy looking, better staffed, and friendlier than the universally-privately-run DMV offices are. Deputy Registrars are independent contractors and are selected on a competitive basis as described in the Ohio Administrative Code and RFP. Deputy Registrars receive service fees of $3.50 for each vehicle, driver license and ID card transaction; and $0.90 for each vision screening performed. All fees are established in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code. Contracts are generally for two or three years per Section 4503.03 of the Ohio Revised Code. http://bmv.ohio.gov/rfp.stm http://bmv.ohio.gov/rfp.stm All that said, the private contractors do get the job done, but they do it in a way that's efficient with employee time, not in a way that's efficient with customer time.