Part-time driver's license office opens Monday in Trenton

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photo Dade County Executive Ted Rumley

For the first time in years, Dade County residents will be able to get Georgia driver’s licenses at an office in Trenton.

A part-time Department of Driver Services office opens Monday in a former courtroom at the county Justice Building, 75 Case Ave., after a 9 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Officials from the Department of Driver Services and elected officials will be at the ribbon-cutting, County Executive Ted Rumley said, and refreshments will be served.

“It’s big for Dade County,” Rumley said of the new office. “After the ribbon-cutting, they’re working, they’re open for business.”

The office will be open on the first and third Monday of every month.

Dade County residents no longer will have to trek as far as 43 miles, one way, across Lookout Mountain to renew their licenses at what is now the closest office in Rock Spring, Ga.

“I would say for the most part, people are happy,” Trenton Allstate insurance agent Glenda Harris said. “But they’re still unhappy because of all the changes when you go in to change your license.”

Since last year Georgians have had to renew licenses in person and bring at least four documents from an approved list.

The rules include requiring those whose names have changed after being married or divorced provide such papers as marriage licenses and divorce decrees.

Up until about 2003 when budget cuts killed it, a traveling license office visited the county, Rumley said.

Contact staff writer Tim Omarzu at tomarzu@timesfreepress.com or 423-747-6651.

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