My DMV is booked for 90 days but my license expires next week – I’m facing a $100 fine & get turned away when I walk in

A STAFF shortage translates into prolonged wait times at the DMV – some have waited months to renew their driver’s licenses.

Most drivers blamed their local government for the shortage after the DMV blamed an influx of new residents.

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WXII

Several counties across North Carolina are pushing DMV appointments back due to a steady staffing shortage.

Marty Homan, the agency’s communications manager, said the lack of staff to handle appointments is growing alongside the number of residents moving to North Carolina, prolonging the issue.

“It’s kind of a numbers game,” he told NBC affiliate WXII during a video call.

You know, there are only so many people can get to in a day, taken care of with the amount of people we have. Our staff is working as hard as they can, trying to process as many people as they can.”

For some, it may seem as simple as posting job openings to hire more staff.

However, DMV employees are technically government employees and need government approval to hire more staff.

Homan said the agency requested the legislature to hire more employees, but the request was denied.

Without the ability to hire additional staff members, it directly affects the customers who need an in-office visit to complete a process, like renewing a driver’s license or transferring titles.

Therefore, pre-established appointments are pushed back further and further to ensure the limited staff can meet customer needs.

For some, like Suzanne Miller, waiting too long could mean restoring to driving illegally or relying on ridesharing.

Miller panicked when she realized her license expired in November.

She hurried to make an appointment for renewal, completing much of the process online, but her in-person appointment was pushed back.

“The appointment that I got was November 13th, my license runs out on the 11th and I wouldn’t have had a license for about two months,” Miller said.

“That’s not a good thing.”

A ticket for driving with an expired license in North Carolina is $100, with three points added to a driving record.

An officer can also suspend a license until it’s renewed.

She said she waited in line with several other patrons before leaving and deciding to complete a temporary renewal online before her appointment.

How to prepare for the DMV

Here are some ways to streamline your DMV experience:

1. Check the DMV website for your state to see if the task can be done completely online. Many processes can now be done online, like renewing a vehicle’s registration or changing an address. Otherwise, several processes can be started online and finished at an in-person location, like renewing a driver’s license.
2. Schedule an appointment. While walk-ins are available at all locations, having an appointment time can help reduce frustrating wait times.
3. Check the DMV’s website to ensure you have all the necessary forms for the task.
4. Get there early. Since many people prefer to try and tackle simple tasks on their lunch breaks or days off, showing up early can mean you’re only one of a few.
5. Eat before you go or bring a snack. Since wait times can exceed expectations, bring some form of sustenance.
6. Be positive. The process is temporary.

While she was sympathetic to the staff, she called on the agency to look out for residents.

“I know it’s hard to get people to work right now, but please have more than one person working,” she said.

Homan reminded people that many processes can be either completed or partially completed through the DMV’s official website.

Things like renewing registration tags, renewing a driver’s license (without a photo replacement), changing addresses, requesting records, or making payments can be done online .

Drivers can even renew a handicapped placard, request driver’s license hearings, and estimate a vehicle’s property tax amount.

“If you can do it online, please do it online,” said Homan.

“Stay out of lines at the DMV if at all possible.”