24-04-2025
NCDOT responds to concerns of long DMV wait times
WASHINGTON, N.C. (WNCT)– Communities across the state are noticing longer lines and longer wait times at the local DMV with the Real I.D. implementation date fast approaching.
You will need a Real I.D. starting May 7, 2025 in order to fly or visit government facilities in the United States. NCDOT wants to stress the importance that this is not a deadline and getting a Real I.D. is completely optional.
You can still get your Real I.D. after May 7th. You do not need a Real I.D. to drive your vehicle but you will need to get it if you plan to fly without using a passport or other form of government identification.
DMV offices served a total of 185,000 transactions in the month of March alone. Of those, 82,000 were for a Real I.D. This is the most Real I.D. transactions in one month for the DMV in their recent past and they expect that number to grow as we move through both April and May.
As a result, 51 percent of licenses in the state are now Real I.D. When this initiative launched, the goal was to ideally have a number around 50 percent, so these results are a good sign for NCDOT and they expect that number to continue to rise as well.
Real I.D. customers aren't the only people at the DMV offices causing congestion.
'It's due to a variety of factors. Number one is the explosive population growth we've seen across the state over the last two decades,' DMV Communications Manager for NCDOT Marty Homan said. 'Teen drivers have to come into an office three times in a year-and-a-half timeframe and so, that's a lot of folks that are coming into the office,'
For the morning hours, the DMV only serves scheduled appointments, they then serve walk-ins in the afternoon. As of right now, if you try to schedule an appointment, the next available date could be as far as 90 days away.
Some people in the senior community have been seen waiting outside with lawn chairs due to the elongated wait times. The DMV also turns away walk-ins after they have reached a certain capacity of customers that they can service before closing time, forcing them to turn away any other people who are still waiting outside.
'I figured I could wait an hour and that would be no problem,' Earl Carney of Belhaven said. 'After about two-and-a-half hours, I finally reached the front door. Then, they said they had reached their capacity inside and they would no longer be accepting walk-ins for the rest of the day. One man I met said he drove 50 minutes just to get down here and try before ultimately not getting in. He said he was going to have to come back and try again the next day until he could get in.'
The NCDOT is already working on solutions. Ninety-two out of 115 DMV locations are currently operating with an extended hour each day to try and serve more people.
Starting May 31st, they will also be offering Saturday hours from 8 a.m. until noon for select locations including Greenville. This gives some people a chance to get in who may not be able to find time for the DMV during their average work week.
For any elderly or disabled seniors, they advise you to get in contact with someone at the front desk. As soon as you arrive, make your disability known so that they can help you with the process. The workers at the DMV office are unable to help you or prioritize you if they are unaware of this disability.
There is also a push in state legislation to approve more DMV employees to try and meet this demand. H.B. 199 requests for 24 additional employees at two new office locations and 61 additional employee positions to fill spaces that are currently vacant across the state.
This legislation was included in the Governor's budget but not in the Senate and has yet to be approved by the House.
For more information on how to schedule an appointment or for answers to frequently asked questions visit their website here.
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