[Montgomery, Ala.]  The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) has announced a phased approach for the closure of driver license offices throughout the state should the Legislature not level fund the agency.

During transition and the first two quarters of 2015, ALEA examined the core functions of each legacy agency and determined the Driver License system was inefficient and archaic. In July, Secretary of Law Enforcement Spencer Collier announced a series of technology-based improvements which will result in more efficient service and shorter wait times for citizens of Alabama including Online scheduling, Online driver license renewals, Self-serve kiosks, Digital licensing for smart phones, and Statewide equipment upgrades.

“Currently, ALEA maintains 75 Driver License district and field offices across the state but budget allocations do not cover costs and we operate with an $8.2 million deficit,” said Secretary of Law Enforcement Spencer Collier.  “During the 2015 Regular and First Special Sessions, the Legislature proposed General Fund budget cuts ranging from 22% to 47% cut from ALEA’s Fiscal Year 2015 appropriation. Should the Legislature pass devastating budget cuts, it will be necessary for the Licensing Division to close Driver License district and field offices statewide.”

• Phase 1: Close 33 field offices on October 1, 2015. Field offices are in rural areas and operate on a part-time basis where a DL examiner travels from a DL office to a field office a couple of days a week for limited hours.  These offices represent 5% of all ALEA DL transactions each year.
• Phase 2: On January 1, 2016, District Offices will close leaving only 12 offices statewide.  Average drive times to reach an open office for citizens will increase to more than an hour. Current average wait times for services is approximately 1.5 hours; with fewer locations, the wait time for services will substantially increase and most functions will require an appointment.
• Phase 3: On March 1, 2016, we would have to move all operations to four offices which would be located in Huntsville, Birmingham, Montgomery, and Mobile

Secretary Collier continued, “Public safety is the core mission of state government.  We are facing a looming budget crises in government services and this is a statewide problem that will affect each of us. Governor Bentley’s solution is an easy, workable and fair proposal that will raise $300 million in revenue and help the state continue to provide these services to Alabama citizens. Please contact your Legislator and ask them to support Governor Bentley’s solution to the budget crisis and put our state on a strong path forward.”