Abilene driver's license office moves to I-20 location

Driving to get your driver's license renewed? You'll now be driving to a new destination.

The west Abilene Texas Department of Public Safety facility, located at the former Westgate shopping area, has moved to 1102 E. Overland Trail in northeast Abilene.

The new, 16,000-square-foot office is located on the north side of Interstate 20 between State Highway 351 and FM 600.

The office opened Monday, with business brisk, DPS Sgt. Marc Couch said.

The South First facility is closed.

The driver's license office was located on Industrial Boulevard, across from a Stripes convenience store. That's a congested area and that office was moved more centrally located and open area. Now, it has moved again.

The new site offers a full-time commercial vehicle testing area that can take two vehicles at time, Couch said. There is a covered area for inspecting other vehicles before testing drives are taken.

There will be 10 stations, with six currently staffed, he said.

In April, the South First office had about 2,800 transactions "just in that smaller office. Once they get up and rolling and full-staffed, that should increase that number to well over 3,000 serviced in any given month," Couch said.

There is a large waiting area for those coming to get tested or a renewal, but Couch emphasized going online to texasdps.gov/drivers license to schedule appointments or to perhaps avoid having to go in person. Many renewals or changes of address, for example, can be done online. The site will indicate if the person is eligible for an online renewal.

If not, you stay on the site and make an appointment.

That can be done prior to a license expiring, he said. Appointments can be set up in advance.

This method started during the COVID-19 era "and it's still going on," Couch said.

"Make an appointment when it's convenient for you. Basically, you have your spot in line," he said. Appointments should be addressed within a 30-minute window, he said.

"I strongly urge people to make an appointment" to save their time, Couch said. "It makes it so much easier if they know who they are serving that day."

Otherwise, those who arrive without an appointment will be helped between appointments.

Also, instructions online will advise what paperwork must be brought to the office. Many have had to return to the DL office with required documents.

"We're really glad to have it open," Couch said of the office.

For those looking for employment, he believes there will be one or two openings for a driver's license position.

A job application can be done online, too.

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Abilene driver's license office moves to I-20 location