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DPS waiting gameROCKWALL, Aug 26, 2011 (Rockwall County Herald-Banner - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- On his 16h birthday, Christopher McNeice was first in line. He had earned his place in the long line that stretched down the sidewalk at 1111 Ridge Road -- Ridge Road Center. The Wylie High School student grabbed his spot at 7:15 p.m. Thursday. The front door was unlocked at 8 a.m. Friday. His waiting time totaled almost 13 hours. The line did not form in response to a "Black Friday"-type sale that offered retail deals of gigantic proportions? And McNeice, his mother, Ramona, and the approximately 75 people who lined up behind them were not waiting for tickets to a major sports event or concert. McNeice was in line to take the road test for his Texas driver's license. Most of the others in line were hopeful Friday would be their lucky day for a winning chance to take their road test. Some were lucky and some were not. The ones who did not get the chance to take their driving test will return another day and possibly arrive a little earlier than before so they can get closer to the front of the line. Most of the Thursday night-Friday morning crowd lined up on the sidewalk in lawn chairs. A few brought blankets and pillows for sidewalk beds. There were coolers, bags of snacks, soft drinks and Red Bull. Someone made a quick trip to Dollar General just before it closed to buy "bug candles." And some people brought friends or relatives, not just for the companionship, but so they could work in shifts to hold a place in line. Kaylea Wisner, a Rockwall-Heath High School student, brought Mary Fields, who described herself as a "supportive friend." And if anyone needed to take a restroom break, they would walk to the nearest convenience store. "Oh thank heaven for 7-Eleven," joked someone in the crowd. The long lines are a primary reason County Commissioner David Magness questioned this week whether the county should continue providing space for the driver's license office in Rockwall. And it's one reason County Judge Jerry Hogan referred to the driver's license office as a "lousy service." "It is a lousy service," agreed Rebecca Davio, assistant director for the state's Driver License Division. "A that's not what we want. That is not acceptable." Davio told the Herald-Banner Wednesday that there is a "glimmer of hope" for Rockwall County residents and others throughout the state who have to deal with long lines and long waiting times at driver's license offices. The Texas Legislature recognized the need, she said, and approved funding that will bring change throughout the state. But there's one problem that Hogan will deal with himself -- the telephone system. Many of the people in line Friday complained that there is a communication problem. Their telephone calls to the office are not answered and there's no way to leave a message. Telephone number 972-204-7300 is a Rockwall County number that is answered with a recorded greeting. The caller is offered two options -- No. 1 to receive information about costs to obtain or renew a license and No. 2 for the highway patrol. The caller is then told that their call will be answered by the next available representative. There are four rings, then the call goes to voice mail. The caller is told that their call has been transferred to a voice mail system, but the person at this number is not a subscriber of this service. Then, the caller is told that their session cannot be continued and they should call again. Davio said she was aware of the telephone communication problem. She explained that "it's a county-owned phone system and we've just not been able to resolve that." Hogan said Wednesday night that he was not aware of the problem. He was in Austin, but said he would look into the telephone problem as soon as he returns to Rockwall. On the statewide level, Davio told of plans that will include scheduling road tests online for those getting their first driver's license; a "cuing system" for 69 of the state's busiest offices (but not Rockwall); and the opening of six "mega centers," two in the Metroplex. Online scheduling for first-time licensed drivers should eliminate the need for many people to line up for services. And the mega centers -- which will include one in Dallas and another in the Arlington area -- could have an impact on the Rockwall office. Out-of-county residents from Garland, Sachse, Wylie and Lavon who now come to the Rockwall office because it's closer to their homes may decide it's easier to visit the Dallas area mega center. The cuing system will be implemented in the state's 69 busiest offices, but not Rockwall. This system will separate people who have quick and easy transactions from people who have more detailed transactions, like renewing their license or making changes to their license. Regarding clerks in the offices, Davio said they have increased transactions because of instructions to ask drivers whether they want to be donors, register to vote or sign up for Selective Service. Locally, she said, Rockwall County's population has increased by 89 percent, but the driver's license office staff has not. She said the three office people are responsible for 200 to 250 transactions daily. A fourth employee has been on maternity leave. ___ (c)2011 the Rockwall County Herald-Banner (Greenville, Texas) Visit the Rockwall County Herald-Banner (Greenville, Texas) at rockwallheraldbanner.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |