New OKC driver’s license megacenter draws crowd

Opening day goes smoothly despite hourslong waits

Long lines and an hourslong wait couldn’t deter those on Monday who were seeking renewed driver’s licenses or REAL IDs at one of two new “megacenters” created to help alleviate the state’s backlog of driver’s license requests.

A line stretched Monday morning at the Oklahoma City megacenter from a waiting area near 20 ID stations to a parking garage. The ID megacenter is at 1000 NE 10 St. on the first floor of the old Oklahoma Health Department building.

“Four hours is OK, in the context of waiting months for it,” said Giancarlo Gonzalez after receiving his ID. “I was fine because I would rather wait for a few hours rather than a few months.”

The center is expected to process about 1,000 licenses per day to relieve pressure from tag agencies and other Department of Public Safety locations in the state.

“It’s gone pretty smoothly. There are a lot of people that have shown up here, but we knew there would be a big demand,” said Department of Public Safety Director of Media Operations Sarah Stewart on the morning of the center’s opening.

For many trying to obtain or renew their licenses over the past year it has been anything but smooth.

Wait times have been long at tag agencies and DPS locations, appointments are made weeks in advance and REAL ID licenses take almost twice as long to process than those they are replacing.

A lack of personnel, budget and technology, an initial hesitancy to move forward with REAL ID and a pandemic shuttering DPS offices are all credited with slowing down license renewals across the state.

“I called and called, I actually have an appointment in Purcell on Aug. 11. That’s the soonest I could get it and I had to go out of town,” said Rhonda Ballare as she waited for her turn at one of the ID stations in the center.

Oklahomans who already have an in-state driver’s license are eligible to visit the megacenter to renew their licenses and opt for a new REAL ID. Those who are receiving their first license or do not currently have an Oklahoma license will still need to visit a DPS location.

“We’re only servicing renewal and replacements here at this location, so you already have to have an Oklahoma license to be serviced here. But, that includes CDL (commercial driver’s licenses) and REAL ID,” Stewart said.

Oklahomans can decide between a four-year license that costs $38.50 or an eight-year license at double the price. Additionally, drivers can replace a REAL ID or convert their current noncompliant Oklahoma license for $25.

The megacenter is accepting only credit or debit cards for payment and does not take appointments as it is designed to accommodate walk-in customers.

An allocation of $6.6 million from the Oklahoma legislature funds the center in Oklahoma City, as well as a location in Tulsa that is set to open on Aug. 16 with the same criteria. Hours will be 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Clients are directed where to go Monday while waiting in line to get Real IDs or driver’s licenses renewal at the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety’s megacenter location at 1000 NE 10 St. inside the old Health Department Building.

PHOTOS BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER/THE OKLAHOMAN Clients arrive Monday to get their Real ID or driver’s license renewed at the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety’s megacenter.