Wait times at local Department of Driver Services locations seem to be shrinking following initial waits as high as seven hours after new documentation requirements were announced for those looking to get and renew driver’s licenses.

On July 3, two days after the new rules went into effect, wait times at the Gainesville office were reported at almost six hours.

Those waits climbed to a height of seven hours but have since come back down.

Friday, wait times were estimated between two and three hours.

“We have seen some positive trends and we’re watching it very closely,” said Susan Sports, spokeswoman for DDS. “So the wait times are getting better. It’s a slow improvement, but it’s steady.”

As of July 1, Georgia requires those looking to get a new license or renew an expired one to show more documents proving identification and residency.

Patrons must now show an original birth certificate or passport, Social Security card, two proofs of residency and documents supporting any legal name change.

It’s Georgia’s attempt to stay compliant with the Federal Real ID Act of 2005, which aimed to strengthen identification standards in a post-9/11 era.

Sports expects the wait times to continue to dwindle in coming weeks.

But those waiting in lines are still frustrated with the new system.

“It’s going to be very hard for some people,” said Miguel Arjon. “I saw someone on Tuesday who said: ‘This is the only ID that I have.’”

Arjon said he tried to get a new license on Tuesday and after a four-hour wait, was told he’d have to come back.
He said the building was packed.

Ann Watson waited nearly four hours on Tuesday as well and was back in line on Friday.

She said the lines were moving slow and there were not many examiners to help.

“There was such a crowd — a big crowd — and they were slow (on Tuesday),” Watson said. “There weren’t but four windows open.”

But the department said it is looking at ways to streamline the process, including shifting employees around to compensate for offices with higher traffic.

“We are encouraged,” Sports said. “We’re working very hard to identify areas that we can improve.”

She said one reasons lines have grown long since July 1 is each transaction is taking longer.

“It is a more time consuming transaction and it’s really because of the communication piece,” Sports said.

Examiners are having to explain what documents are needed and why some forms of ID cannot be accepted, Sports said.

To counter, the DDS has revamped its website to make the new rules more prominent and have sent out post card reminders to those who are scheduled for renewal in the next two months.

“We believe the post cards will certainly help the customers know about the new process before they come in,” said Sports. “We anticipate they’ll be coming in more prepared.”

One of the bigger issues the department has seen, Sports said, is those who have legally changed their names, especially married women, do not have the “paper trail” to document it.

For any legal name change — marriage, adoption, etc. — documents, like a marriage license, must be provided.

But, Arjon said, for a lot of people, obtaining all forms of documentation can prove difficult.

“If you have the two IDs, then you don’t mind,” he said. “But it’s hard for some people who don’t. For a lot of people, it’s going to be really, really hard.”

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