Can this new machine in Columbia save you a trip to the dreaded DMV?

Going to the DMV is a quintessential American experience that brings us all a little closer. If Americans can agree on nothing else, at least we have the DMV.

Well, the state of South Carolina’s Department of Motor Vehicles has taken the hint and is rolling out new machines that could allow you to skip the DMV completely, but only for a handful of tasks.

A first-of-its-kind SCDMV Express kiosk was unveiled Wednesday at Columbia’s Kroger Marketplace at 1028 Roberts Branch Parkway.

For now, the kiosk is limited to replacing or renewing vehicle registrations, “assuming they have paid their county personal property taxes on the vehicle,” according to a release from the SCDMV.

The machines scan a user’s driver’s license to gather their information.

The services available at the kiosks could be expanded in the future. Other states already use the machines for additional transactions, said SCDMV spokesperson Mike Fitts.

Using the machines cost between “$1 to about $5 depending on the transaction,” Fitts added, which helps pay for the machines. He also said no tax dollars were spent to bring the machines to South Carolina.

The state agency will send two more kiosks to South Carolina grocery stores this month: one to a Publix in Greer and another to a Publix in Summerville.

More locations are expected to be added in the future, but the number will depend on customer demand.

Intellectual Technology Inc. owns and operates the kiosks through a partnership with the state’s DMV. That company operates similar kiosks in more than a dozen states.

The kiosk in Columbia is already up and running and can be used immediately. The other two kiosks will be operational this month.

You can learn more about the kiosks at scdmvexpress.com.