New process for vehicle registration, inspection

A new vehicle inspection process has been implemented in order to streamline services and cut down waiting time for KMC members seeking to register or re-register their vehicles on Kapaun Air Station.

The updates to the process are a part of the “Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century” initiative, as well as ensuring readiness for the peak permanent change of station season coming up this summer.

“The reason we’re trying to do this is so that we can get our customers back to the work center,” said Master Sgt. Norman Dominguez, 569th U.S. Forces Police Squadron.

“(During peak PCS season), the average wait time for inspection, re-registration and renewal is 2.25 hours,” he said. “Our whole goal was to try to decrease the wait time by 65 percent.”

The changes include having a screening process prior to entering the inspection queue, to ensure all required documents are in hand before being seen.

“There is a screening booth for customers. If the customer has all those items (needed), they go through the line and wait to be seen,” Dominguez said. “If they don’t have the required items, there is an exit lane.”

Once a KMC member enters the inspection line, the vehicle readiness squadron and security forces substation have now teamed up in one location to increase efficiency.

“While their vehicle is being inspected, they are talking to the VRS person, and they also determine if they want a one year or two year for their renewal,” Dominguez said. “Once that’s determined, they speak to a security forces person to make any updates to address or phone numbers.

“During that time, the inspector is looking over the vehicle,” he continued. “Once the item is paid for and they pass inspection, the inspector will place the decal on the license plate. The customer does not have to take off his or her plates.”

While the new process has been implemented, a noticeable decrease in wait time has occurred.

“(With no cars) in the past two weeks, it takes 11 minutes total — from screening booth until you walk out to your vehicle,” Dominguez said. “If there are a few vehicles in line it takes 15 to 20 minutes. Come peak season, we will see how this changes.”