Even so, the reform should result in a marked improvement of Department of Motor Vehicle services. It brings the license-renewal program into line with the high-tech era, thus saving Georgians a lot of time. No one likes to wait in line - sometimes after traveling several miles - just to get one's driver's license renewal rubber-stamped.

Why not do it by snail-mail or e-mail?

South Carolina is also looking for ways to cut down on its DMV waiting lines, which are usually longer than Georgia's. Waiting periods can stretch to several hours, says state Rep. Annette Young, R-Dorchester, who chairs the panel that oversees the DMV's budget.

Her plan to improve service, shorten lines and boost Carolina's DMV efficiency also calls for making technology reforms, and exploring the possibility of privatizing some of the services.

But those changes are down the road - to be studied. This year Young would like to pass legislation that would double the renewal period for driver's licenses from four years to eight.

Safe-driving groups are understandably concerned that the longer elapsed time between license renewals will keep some physically disabled or elderly drivers on the road who shouldn't be there. They've got a point, but it's one that a compromise can deal with.

Older drivers, perhaps 68 and up, should continue coming in for renewal every four years as they do now; same with young people, up to about age 25; and, of course, persons of any age who have recently been ticketed should also be made to stick to the 4-year rules. These are the potentially dangerous drivers. They need closer scrutiny.

But everyone else with a safe driving record - and that's the vast majority of drivers - could be given an 8-year renewal. If that can be made to work in South Carolina, why not Georgia too?