Governor Josh Stein and North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Paul Tine marked the opening of a new driver license office in Brunswick County. The facility will serve as a temporary site while a permanent office is constructed in Leland. This location is the second of four new DMV offices resulting from House Bill 125, which was signed into law by Governor Stein in August. A previous office opened in Garland in December, with additional offices planned for Fuquay-Varina and Cabarrus County later this year.
“New DMV offices mean shorter lines and faster service,” said Governor Josh Stein. “We’re making steady progress to improve the DMV experience statewide, and I’m grateful to team NCDMV for its efforts to create an experience that helps North Carolinians get in, get out, and get on with their day. But we know we have more work to do.”
“I want to thank Governor Stein and the General Assembly for their support,” said NCDMV Commissioner Paul Tine. “We’ve made significant progress, leading to shorter wait times and better service statewide, but we have much work ahead to become the exceptional customer service organization outlined in our Strategic Plan, and we’re committed to that vision.”
Brunswick County has been identified as North Carolina’s fastest-growing county by percentage and ranks eleventh nationally for growth rate. The governor visited the new site at the Department of Transportation’s Belville Bridge Yard as part of broader efforts by NCDMV to enhance customer service across the state.
To further address wait times and reduce job vacancies at DMV offices, Governor Stein signed Senate Bill 245 in September. This legislation enabled more than 175,000 residents to complete transactions online within just over four months instead of visiting an office in person. Additionally, 64 new driver license examiner positions were created and filled using funding approved last summer.
At the press event, Governor Stein introduced a feature providing estimated wait times online for customers seeking services such as license renewals or replacements. This tool is now available at visitDMV.nc.gov.
NCDMV also addressed a training backlog by updating its Driver License Examiner Basic School curriculum, resulting in its largest graduating class ever. As a result, vacancy rates among examiners have dropped below five percent statewide.
Josh Stein currently serves as the 76th governor of North Carolina according to information from the official website. The Office of the Governor acts as chief executive for all state matters—including execution of laws—leads the Council of State, directs budgeting priorities, can grant pardons or commute sentences, appoints executive officials, serves as commander-in-chief for the National Guard, and represents constituents throughout North Carolina (source).
