AtlantaAccording to the Statesboro Herald, a new in-person documentation criterion went into effect last week, resulting in hours-long wait times for Georgia citizens attempting to renew or obtain a driver’s license.
Hundreds of people had already lined up at the Gwinnett County Department of Driver Services office by 7:30 a.m. Friday; some had been waiting for over two hours before the doors opened. During the first week of implementation, wait times in certain places, such as Sandy Springs and Norcross, exceeded five hours.
What s Changed Under the New Rule
Documentation requirements that were previously exclusive to first-time applicants are now required for all renewals and reinstatements. Customers are now required to show up in person and provide:
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Original or certified birth certificate
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Social Security card
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Two documents proving residency
Following the legislative change, online renewals are no longer permitted for an individual’s first renewal.
The federal government’s campaign for more secure identification in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks includes the new system. According to Georgia officials, license or ID holders over 50 have till 2017 to comply.
Frustration and Multiple Trips
The deployment has not gone smoothly for many.Lilburn resident Peggy Walker claimed that she and her 15-year-old son attempted three times to obtain his learner’s permit, the first time failing to provide a necessary document and the second time being denied because of the large number of applicants.
She informed reporters that they ought to have made this announcement, shared it with the media, and informed everyone of their needs prior to their arrival.
Others were more sympathetic, such as Lawrenceville resident Alysia Pennington. She brought patience and a book when she arrived at 5:40 a.m. for her fourth try to renew her license. She remarked, “Unfortunately, I do understand that it’s to protect us with all the identity theft.”
State Response
A learning curve for examiners is one factor contributing to the delays, according to Susan Sports, a spokesperson for the Department of Driver Services. “It takes them longer to complete a transaction whenever we have a process change,” she said, adding that she anticipates wait times to decrease by the following week.
To prevent being turned away, officials advise residents to double-check the necessary paperwork before visiting service facilities.
Have the new license regulations in Georgia caused you any delays? Join the discussion at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com and leave your tale in the comments section.
