LONGVIEW - (KYTX) It's one of those things we all dread doing but can't avoid.
"I turned to the crowd and said how many people are waiting in line, I said fine see you later I'm going."
Nick Parish went to D.P.S in Henderson to get his new drivers license. He moved to Texas from Minnesota, he said the wait time looked too long in Henderson so he came to Longview.
"There's not as bad of wait here...but It's still going to be a considerable wait."
D.P.S says the average time it should take a person to get or renew their license is no more than 15 minutes.
"If it's 10 minutes approximately per person, than the number goes up depending on the number you are in that line."
D.P.S spokesman Trooper Jeanne Dark says when people come in without the proper documentation it increases wait time.
One of the reasons Michael Trumble has been in and out of the office for three hours to get his license renewed.
" That's what makes the process so long its all the documents."
" Take advantage of the opportunity to renew your driver's license online."
Trooper Dark that works for renewals, but not new licenses.
Since Nick Parish is a new resident he had to complete the process in person.
The Texas legislature has provided the DPS with 63 million dollars to improve it's services, drivers here in Longview say its needed for staffing.
The money will go to build bigger D.P.S centers in heavily populated areas around the state, easing the congestion at the office and wait times.
"Having a full office would decrease the amount of wait time that someone would be in the office."
But for a now a little planning and preparation will get you out of line more quickly.
"I was supposed to be at work at 8 o'clock...guess I'll be out here until the process is done."
There's no word where those six new locations will be. The Texas Department of Public Safety says to keep in mind Monday and Fridays tend to be the busiest days. And for customer convenience, most offices have extended hours until 6 p.m. on Tuesdays.
