CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles is delaying a new electronic temporary license program in response to dealers' criticisms.



The program initially was scheduled to begin Aug. 31. Motor Vehicles Commissioner Joe Miller said Wednesday it has been postponed until March 31.



"We're not trying to force this down anybody's throat," Miller said. "We are attempting to work with the dealers and consider their needs, which is what we're doing with the extension. They felt the schedule was too aggressive, that we were moving too fast."



Dealers now mail or hand deliver vehicle registration information to the DMV. The new program would require dealers to enter that information into a DMV database. Temporary tags would be printed at the dealership.



Dealers say the new system could force them to hire more workers and inconvenience customers. They also say some small dealers could be forced out of business.