DEAM Email to Thelma Fields:


From: info@godeam.com [mailto:info@godeam.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2008 10:56 AM
To: Thelma Fields
Cc: William Kraft; Christine Nizer
Subject: PSC/DIP Provider Error Listing Problem

Dear Ms. Fields:

On behalf of the Driver’s Education Association of Maryland (the "DEAM"), I would like to make you aware of a problem that some of our members are experiencing with the Driver Improvement / Point System Conference process for submitting completion data for PSC/DIP students. Recently, the system has not been functioning properly, and as a result, our members are concerned that some participants who complete the program may be suspended in error.

The MVA’s PSC/DIP "data entry" system generates an error report by email attachment if information is transmitted incorrectly to the the MVA’s database by the provider. Recently, error reports are being received from the MVA that are unreadable. The reports arrive in a form that may only be described as "gibberish". I have attached a sample of one of these unreadable reports for your perusal.

There has also been the occasion where an error report was not sent to a provider at all. In this specific instance, an incorrect soundex was forwarded to the MVA but the provider was not notified that the soundex was incorrect (as the email was never received).

The Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) are very specific in that a provider must correct errors in transmitted participant completion information within 24 hours of notification by the Administration. There is concern in the industry that the MVA may mistakenly sanction a provider for situations that may occur as a result of that provider not receiving an error report, or receiving an error report in an unreadable format. The DEAM would hope that this would not be the case.

We look forward to the system being corrected in a timely manner. If you could notify me when the system is working properly I will post it on the DEAM website for the benefit of our members.

If you have any questions about the problems we are experiencing, please call me. I may be reached on 410.609.0001.

Sincerely,

Christopher Ertel
DEAM Representative


Email responses from MVA (C. Nizer and W. Kraft):


Chris,

Thank you for forwarding this information to us. We are aware of this problem and are working on a solution. We will contact you as soon as we have resolved the issue.

Thanks again,
Chrissy


Chris,

We are aware of the issue. As a matter of fact, we attended a meeting this morning regarding the problem. The causes and solutions are being explored. Please advise your members to report these problems to the help desk at the number provided with their provider information so the problem is properly documented and appropriately referred.

Bill Kraft

Section Manager
Driver Instructional Services Division
(410) 424-3750
(410) 424-3676 FAX
wkraft@mdot.state.md.us
Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration
Room 207
6601 Ritchie Highway, N.E.
Glen Burnie, Maryland 21062


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