JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – The North Carolina Office of the State Auditor released insight on the preliminary DMV audit findings.
The findings share that staffing and wait times are the main issues across the state. The changes that need to take place include:
- Additional Driver License Examiners are necessary to meet public demand and reduce wait times at driver license offices across the state.
- Flexibility in current personnel rules is necessary to allow the DMV to hire and retain staff more effectively.
- Effective strategies are necessary to fill vacancies.
Jacksonville resident Dolly Comfort says tensions within the DMV are high.
“People getting frustrated and having to wait so long,” said Comfort. “I understand it because it is always a wait with everything in this world.”
WITN reached out to the Communications Officer for the DMV, Marty Homa,n who shared this statement:
“We recognize the need for operational improvements at DMV and appreciate the Auditor’s support for additional resources, as noted in the Preliminary audit findings. We look forward to reviewing the full audit report and continuing our collaboration with the Governor, Auditor, and Legislature to enhance services for North Carolina’s citizens and businesses.”
The findings say delays will continue if the workforce challenges are not addressed. Katie Carper says she looked for an appointment for months so her 16-year-old son could take his driving test. She says when she was in line, she didn’t know what to do.
“In their defense, they didn’t have any help out there to help and say, hey, appointments this way or that way,” said Carper. “So they definitely need more help and more communication in that aspect.”
Carper says while this may be a headache, she hopes it gets resolved sooner rather than later.
“There’s nothing, I mean, they are all red,” said Carper. “You go all the way up to the mountains even if you wanted to drive and there’s no appointments available.”
The findings share that about 68% of the 142 temporary examiner positions are vacant statewide currently.
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