Gina ManGhaM for DeKalb County Commissioner
District 5
PeoPle, CommerCe, Community SPirit
Vote, July 31st
Serving DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale Counties
Volume 18 Number 8
www.ocgnews.com
www.GinaManGhaM.coM
JUly 15, 2012
FREE
New ID documents for Georgia driver’s license trigger deluge By Valerie J. Morgan
M
any of the state’s driver’s license offices are experiencing long lines and packed waiting areas as customers renew or apply for licenses for the first time. Traffic has picked up since July 1 when the state’s Department of Driver Services (DDS) changed the number of required ID documents needed for licenses from three to four. Susan Sports, a spokesperson for DDS, said the new requirements triggered a deluge at many of the state’s offices with people scrambling to beat the crowds. The wait has been 90 minutes or more in many offices, she said. “People heard that the requirements had changed and started lining up early in the morning before the offices had a chance to open. That was one of the reasons we had the long lines,” Sports said. “We had the long waits because some people didn’t have all of the documents that were needed when someone was ready to help them.” Jessica Henderson was one of those who thought she had all of her documents. She had to make two trips before she was able to renew her license at the DDS office on Rockbridge Road in Lithonia. “It was a real pain,” said Henderson. “I tried to go at the first of the month and there were already 100 people waiting. I had to wait two hours only to find out that I needed to have a bill with my address. That meant I had to make a second trip.” The new requirements follow tougher federal guidelines for security
Photo by Glenn L. Morgan/OCG News
The Conyers Department of Driver Services was filled with people who were waiting to be served since the new requirements took effect.
following the 9-11 terrorists attacks on the U.S. The new “high security” licenses and ID cards have a gold star in the upper right hand corner and are being phased in to replace the old forms. So those who have a valid license that has not expired do not need to apply for the new “high security” license until the old one expires. Applicants who are new drivers, as well as those who are renewing or reinstating a suspended license must apply in person to get their first “high security” license or “high security” state ID. The new licenses being issued now are valid for five years. After that, renewals are permitted online, Sports said. Two forms of identification are required for the new licenses and ID cards: an original or certified birth certificate or valid passport and a Social Security card. At least two documents proving residency also are
needed (utility bill issued within the last 60 days, bank statement, rental contracts, income tax documents, etc.). Previously, these documents were only required of first-time drivers or for first-time state ID cards, but now the forms are also required for renewals, Sports said. “We’re finding, for the most part, that customers are prepared and have all of the documents when they come in to apply,” Sports said. Sports said, however, some women who have married or divorced have had problems meeting the identity requirements and people in general are not paying attention to the residency requirements. “We have noticed that customers are not bringing both (2) proofs of residency and women are not aware
that if they have married or divorced and their name is different than their name on their original birth certificate (maiden name) then they must also bring the marriage license or divorce decree showing their name change from their birth name,” Sports said. Sports said that those who use a Post Office Box as their address have several options to prove their residency: a cable TV, Internet, satellite, garbage collection, rental agreement or lease for a home or apartment, general lease agreement; voter registration card; gun permit, paycheck or pay stub or employer verification, which can be a letter from the company stating the residency address for the employee. “Anyone can find out about the acceptable documents by visiting our web site,” Sports said. Sports is urging customers to postpone their in-person driver’s license business for about two weeks, if at all possible, when wait times are expected to become more manageable. Many online services continue to be available, including ordering a replacement for a lost license, changing an address and getting a copy of one’s driving history. The document checklist to secure a new license or ID card is available at www.dds.ga.gov/SecureID. For more information, call 678- 413-8400.
DeKalb 100 Black Men to present jazz concert On Aug. 5, the DeKalb 100 Black Men will welcome jazz great Phil Perry for its “Sunday Smooth Jazz” at the Porter Sanford Performing Arts Center, 3181 Rainbow Drive, Decatur. “Mr. Perry is a legend and we’re all looking forward to welcoming him to DeKalb. I know his performance will be great,” said the 100’s Executive Director Mae Jones. Trumpeter Joey Sommerville and violinist Brooke “Viosocalist” Alford will also perform. There will be two shows: 3:30 and 8 p.m. Each concert includes a meet-andgreet with the artists and a glass of wine and cheese appetizers. Tickets are $50. Proceeds will benefit the 100 Black Men of DeKalb’s Leadership Academy’s mentioning program. Visit www.dekalb100blackmen.org or call 404-258-2772. INSIDE
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Photos by Joshua Smith/OCG News
Conyers’ summer carnival leaves blissful memories The warm summer night sky was filled with a rainbow of blinking lights as laughter and the occasional screams from thrill seekers riding the rides could be heard. Carnival lovers had a blast of fun during the McNair Amusements’ month-long stay at the Salem Gate Shopping Center, located off Highway 138 in Conyers. The carnival packed up on July 8. Away went the merry-go-round, Ferris wheel, crazy cars, a towering super slide and “The Tornado,” along with the two guitar players and drummer for the Mid-Life Crisis Band. And if all that fun wasn’t enough, the funnel cakes, snow cones and cotton candy sure made for a sweet summer memory.