By Catherine M. Welch
Wilmington, NC – Fifteen driver's license offices across southeastern North Carolina will briefly shut down this week for an overhaul.
The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles says the offices will close so it can convert them from offices where drivers get a new license over the counter to an office where the license will be sent in the mail.
That method is called "central issuance," and it involves giving drivers a temporary license while the state does an extensive check to verify personal information.
Drivers will still be able to take a driving test and have their photo taken at central issuance offices, but it will take between 7 and 10 days to get the permanent license.
The state DMV tested the new system last summer. North Carolina joins 16 other states that have already completed or are in the process of switching over from handing out driver's licenses to sending them in the mail.
Where The Closings Are
Burgaw (805 S. Walker St.)
Will close at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6 and reopen at 1 p.m.
Clinton ( DMV Building, 305 North Blvd.)
Will close at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 5 and reopen at 1 p.m.
Elizabethtown (107 N. Gillespie St.)
Will close at noon on Wednesday, Aug. 5 and reopen on Thursday, Aug. 6 at 8 a.m.
Jacksonville (DMV Building, 299 U.S. 17 South)
Will close at noon on Monday, Aug. 3 and reopen on Tuesday, Aug. 4 at 8 a.m.
Kenansville (DMV Building, 133 Routlege St.)
Will close at 8 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 3 and reopen at 1 p.m.
Lumberton (DMV Building, 4650 Kahn Drive, U.S. 95 North)
Will close at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 4 and reopen at 1 p.m.
Lumberton CDL Office (2479 E. Fifth St.)
Will close at noon on Tuesday, Aug. 4 and reopen on Wednesday, Aug. 5 at 8 a.m.
Morehead City (DMV Building, 5347 U.S. 70 West)
Will close at 8 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 3 and reopen at 1 p.m.
Pembroke (100 S. Union Chapel Road)
Will close at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 4 and reopen at 1 p.m.
Shallotte (5298 Main St.)
Will close at noon on Wednesday, Aug. 5 and reopen on Thursday, Aug. 6 at 8 a.m.
Tabor City (119 Lynwood Norris Road)
Will close at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 5 and reopen at 1 p.m.
Wallace (Town Hall, 320 E. Murray St.)
Will close at noon on Monday, Aug. 3 and reopen on Tuesday, Aug. 4 at 8 a.m.
Whiteville (DMV Building, 917 Washington St.)
Will close at noon on Tuesday, Aug. 4 and reopen on Wednesday, Aug. 5 at 8 a.m.
North Wilmington (DMV Building, One Station Road, U.S. 17 North)
Will close at noon on Thursday, Aug. 6 and reopen on Friday, Aug. 7 at 8 a.m.
South Wilmington (2390 Carolina Beach Road, #104)
Will close at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6 and reopen at 1 p.m.
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