DPS sends drivers online to reduce wait

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The Texas Department of Public Safety announced changes Monday that officials said will reduce the time you’ll have to wait in line at the DMV.

Starting Oct. 29, those who need to re-instate their driver’s license or get a copy of their driving record will have to do it all online or mail it in. With this change, DPS officials said the agency will let its employees to focus on driver's license renewals or issuing drivers permits or new licenses.

Visit the Web site to handle your driver's license reinstatement or driving record. You can also renew your license there if you live in a participating county.

The service is $1 extra, but in a world where time is money, it could be worth it. DPS has offered eligible people the option of renewing their driver’s license or identification card over the internet since 2001.

Starting at the end of the month, it'll be mandatory for people who meet the criteria.

You must be 18 years or older, within one year of the license or identification card expiring, and did not renew online, by mail or telephone at their last renewal.

You can also change your address, register their vehicle, file a driver record request, pay driver responsibility surcharges or access the driver responsibility program on line.

Ineligible driver’s license and ID card holders include: Those who have expired, revoked, or suspended license or identification card, people with a provisional or commercial driver’s license and drivers 79 and older.

“The elimination of these services at Driver License offices will not change the processing time for driver records or driver license re-instatement, which will remain at seven to 10 business days,” said DPS spokesperson Tela Mange in a press release.

“However, customers should submit their paperwork in a timely fashion and keep a copy of the paperwork they have submitted.”

Only three of DPS' driver's license offices provide driving records and reinstatement services - Houston on Gessner, San Antonio on Universal City and Austin on Denson. Those three offices will not close. They’ll still remain open for other driver’s license transactions.

This move comes after complaints this year with wait times at DPS offices. The department add that summer months were busy as usual but that a new $48-million computer system was plagued with problems.