Have all documents needed when you go to renew driver's license

Georgia’s new law requiring everyone seeking a driver’s license — both a new license or a renewal — to show up in person at the Department of Drivers Services office has created long waits and much frustration for citizens.
The new law went into effect July 1, and waits of four hours or longer have been commonplace in many parts of our state. Here in Newnan, the waits have generally been less.
One thing that a license applicant can do to possibly speed up the process is to make sure they have the proper credentials when they go to the driver’s license office.
You need to take the following:
1. An original or certified copy of your birth certificate, a valid U.S. passport or a certificate of citizenship. You don’t need all three, but you must have one of these documents.
2. Proof of Social Security registration. This could be your Social Security card, or a tax form or pay stub bearing your Social Security number.
3. Two documents verifying your proof of residency. This could be a utility bill, a bank statement or a property tax bill. Remember, you need two of these documents.
If you have all of these items when you show up at the driver’s license office, you may help speed up the process, and you won’t have to make a second trip to the office because you do not have the proper papers.
This new state law was implemented after the federal government required states to develop more secure identification after Sept. 11, 2001.
When it comes time to get a driver’s license or to renew one, expect the visit to the office to take some time. However, if you have the proper identification, the process may be quicker and less frustrating.


More Opinion

Georgia Says

THE AUGUSTA CHRONICLE ON OBAMA ADMINISTRATION SCANDALS If it weren’t so serious, it would be comical to watch the media try to spin t ... Read More


Go get 'em, Lady Vikings

A new sport is emerging in Coweta County. Each of the boys and girls soccer teams from East Coweta, Newnan and Northgate high schools made t ... Read More


A new UWG campus moves closer

Tuesday was a huge day for the city of Newnan and, in fact, all of Coweta County. City council approved three big contracts - architectural, ... Read More


Rants and Raves

RAVE: To all the public safety employees, friends and concerned citizens who joined the search for a missing 58-year-old. It’s times l ... Read More


Georgia Says

The Albany Herald on health reform, unhealthy for politicians:

The Affordable Care Act is getting closer to implementation, less than half a year. But there are a great many questions still lingering and ... Read More