Officials Hold Grand Opening of New Marion County Driver License Center

May 12, 2006

NASHVILLE, Tenn., --- The Tennessee Department of Safety (TDOS) officially opened the new driver license testing station in Marion County Friday. Interim Commissioner Gerald Nicely, Colonel Mike Walker and honored guests cut the ribbon on the new 5,208 square-foot facility located at 4950 Main Street in Jasper. The larger, modern facility replaced the former station located at 103 Oak Avenue in Jasper. Operating hours at the new facility are Tuesday through Friday from 7:00am to 5:30pm .

"Providing greater access to and better efficiency of all driver license needs remains a top priority of the department," said Interim TDOS Commissioner Gerald Nicely. "The new driver license station in Jasper greatly improves our ability to serve the needs of our customers."

The demand for Department of Safety services has steadily increased in Marion County . There are 22,152 licensed drivers in the county. Since opening its doors in April, the center has served 933 customers, or nearly 68 customers a day. However, that number is expected to increase as more drivers become aware of the new station.

Senator Ward Crutchfield, who represents the area in the legislature, says, "I appreciate the effort the Department of Safety has made to offer higher quality services to the people in this area. People in Marion , Sequatchie and Grundy Counties should all benefit from this well-equipped center."

Representative Bill Harmon also represents the area in the General Assembly. He says, " Marion County needs this facility. I'm pleased that the community has this new resource to better serve the public." The new center offers added privacy for those taking their written or computerized knowledge tests. A new larger testing room will provide those testing with a quiet location away from the noise of the main waiting area. Additional improvements also include more parking and a larger waiting area with additional seating.

TDOS reminds citizens they can often avoid a trip to a driver license station by visiting the department's Online Services page at http://www.state.tn.us/safety/onlineservices.htm , where many common driver license services are available online. Online services include renewals, duplicates, reinstatements and change of address requests.

The Tennessee Department of Safety ( www.tennessee.gov/safety ) is responsible for ensuring the safety and general welfare of the traveling public. The department's general areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education and motorist services including the issuance of driver licenses and title and registration activities. The department and its highly trained staff of Troopers are responsible for safety on more than 15,000 miles of state and federal highways.