By Sarah Brown
Lebanon Local
Drivers in Lebanon and the surrounding area may be able to return to their local Department of Motor Vehicles branches in May.
Several DMV offices, including the one in Lebanon, closed last May due to statewide staffing shortages following the COVID-19 pandemic, Public Information Officer Michelle D. Godfrey said. The DMV consolidated its remaining staff into larger, neighboring offices across the state.
The good news is that new hires are currently being trained for area offices.
“We’ve not experienced a shortage like this before and are very happy to be returning to normal levels of service, especially in our smaller communities,” Godfrey said. “Our staff needs significant training to be knowledgeable in all the transactions we perform at DMV, so it does take some time.”
The May date could change due to unforeseen obstacles or, more specifically, if staff shortages continue in surrounding offices. To keep the office open on a consistent basis, enough personnel need to be available in surrounding offices to send relief to Lebanon, if necessary.
“Staffing situations can change quickly if we experience more turnover even as our new hires come on board,” Godfrey said. “However, we are moving in a good direction and doing everything we can to open in May.”