Some truths are so universal that even children recognize them. And whether someone is trying to get a driver's license, renew an ID, or register a vehicle, it’s a truth universally acknowledged that going to the DMV (The Department of Motor Vehicles) is a modern nightmare.
Sowmya Nandyala, a 13-year-old from Frisco, Texas, is several years away from earning her learner’s permit.
But when her parents called in to schedule an appointment at their local DMV — and they were put on a “six-month” waitlist — Nandyala knew that it was a symptom of a much larger issue.
“The only way to get a fast appointment was going 60 miles north,” Nandyala told KVUE, an Austin-based outlet, last summer.
“I was surprised how no one had thought of something to find faster appointments to actually solve this problem when it’s been such a widespread problem for so long.”
Using her STEM skills, Nandyala created DriveIt, an app that matches prospective clients with cancelled DMV appointments based on their zip code, distance, and preferred date.
“We have a technology that automatically scans for appointments tailored to your preferences and then we automatically book it for you, saving you months of time,” Nandyala said.
Just three months after DriveIt launched, Nandyala estimated that her app had collectively saved customers over “10 years” of wait time.
“[One client's] appointment changed from May 13th to April 8th, and the day he actually used [DriveIt] was April 8th,” Nandyala said. “He was able to get a same-day appointment through DriveIt and that saved him over a month and four days of time.”
Currently, DriveIt operates primarily in Texas, but Nandyala hopes to expand it to more states as she gains more funding.
“Our goal is to eventually offer our services nationwide to help individuals across the country access DMV appointments with ease,” Nandyala wrote on her official website.
“From navigating complex appointment systems to providing real-time updates, DriveIt is dedicated to making the DMV journey efficient and stress-free,” Nandyala added.
“But our commitment goes beyond convenience – we're empowering communities by giving individuals control over their time and access to vital services.”
Header image via OregonDOT / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
