BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — Wait times. They're an issue at the Department of Motor Vehicles in Ada County.

So when the CBS 2 Newsroom received an email on Thursday from the Ada County DMV stating its office is experiencing extended wait times due to an upgrade in ITD's Gem System, (a vehicle registration titling system that cost 6.5 million of taxpayer funds to develop), CBS 2 went straight to the Idaho Department of Transportation -- the creators of the DMVs Gem System, for some answers.

"With this system, it was implemented in mid-October and right away we did see an initial slowdown," explains Jillian Garrigues, with the ITD office of communications. "As of now the number of transactions that we are seeing are back up to normal and even higher than they were this time last year, so the system is working."

CBS2 News was scheduled to speak with Ada County Assessor Bob McQuade, however, due to a conflicting appointment, spoke to his secretary, Denise Otter.

She tells CBS2 News Idaho's previous DMV system was from the 1980s.

"It was a needed upgrade," Otter explains. "And with additional documentation and verification, there are more steps. Staff do need to take more time entering information and there are more steps, more drop downs and save screens. And with all new computer systems, there is some issues, not everything works smoothly all of the time like we like it to. So when issues come up, the clerks have to call ITD."

And with 44 counties across Idaho calling ITD for help, wait times for even relaying information take time.

"Sometimes the calls get through quickly in five minutes, other times it can take up to 45 minutes for one call," Otter explains.

She tells CBS2 that vehicle registration extensions through January 31st are another reason for the rush.

But both can agree the best way to avoid the long lines? If you can, do your business online.

"We really encourage all Idahoans if they can to go online and use our online services at dmv.idaho.gov," Garrigues explains. "We really only want people to go to the actually DMV county office if they have to, If they bought a new car and came from out of state and have to register their car those are the things you have to do in person. We want to limit those transactions in-person to those kinds of things. Try to get what you can done online so you don’t have to wait in line."

For online services through the Ada County DMV click HERE.