Steve Hilton pledges to abolish California DMV if elected governor

WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. -- Republican Steve Hilton made a bold pledge to abolish California's Department of Motor Vehicles if elected.

"We're gonna cut vehicle registration to the flat fee of $73 per vehicle per year, and we're going to shut down this bloated, bureaucratic agency that treats Californians with complete contempt. We are done with it. Enough is enough with the DMV, enough is enough with sky-high registration rates," said Hilton while on the campaign trail in West Hollywood Tuesday.

Hilton's proposal would have drivers complete anything related to obtaining a driver's license online instead of in person. Hilton would also cap registration at a flat fee of $73 per vehicle.

"With the DMV and vehicle registration, they charge the highest vehicle registration in the country for the worst roads in the country, ranked 50th out of 50 on our roads. On another measure, we're 49th out 50. Worse only in Alaska," said Hilton.

DMV functions would also be performed by counties and local governments rather than a statewide office. What would Hilton do with the buildings that currently serve as DMVs?

"We're going to turn DMV offices into after school clubs and skilled training centers - actually provide useful services in these buildings rather than what we've got now, which is a rip off and contempt for taxpayers," he said.

Hilton also weighed in on Xavier Becerra's decision to, so far, agree to only one debate ahead of November after Hilton agreed to do six debates. That debate is now set for Sept. 30, less than a week before counties start mailing ballots to Californians.

"I've accepted all of your invitations. He's accepted none of those and remember that when he's been asked about this, he's been saying this for nearly a month now, there will be debates, plural. So, I'm very happy that he's accepted one - that's good news, but it's just the start. He needs to honor his pledge of more than one debate," said Hilton.

He then added, "I love CNN, but it's not the only outlet in California. You've got ABC, fantastic. You've got NBC. You've some great outlets represented here, and I think Californians deserve a series of debates, just as we've committed to, and just as actually Becerra said he would commit to, because he said that there would be debates, plural."