DPS Starts Extended Hours Across Some State Offices

Long lines and even longer wait times have many Oklahomans frustrated at the Department of Public Safety. Now DPS is responding by keeping its doors open past 4:30 p.m.

“We realize there is a back log. We realize people are frustrated so this is something we have been working on for a long time, ways that we can give better, more prompt service to our citizens,” said Sarah Stewart, The Media Coordinator for the Department of Public Safety.

The change went into effect last Wednesday. DPS said it will take time to see results, but hundreds of people have already benefitted.

“Our appointment system only schedules out for 70 days and we know that is pretty much full. So, we have those numbers, but we know there are still people trying to get in and there are still walk ins,” Stewart said.

Oklahomans will have to make an appointment online, but keep in mind, not every office will be open after hours.

“It is going to be different locations across the state, Monday through Thursday, and it will stay open until 9 p.m. It is dependent on our employee’s willingness to work these extra hours,” Stewart said.

DPS has also been working with the governor on other ways to speed up the process.

“We’ve worked with the governor and the legislature on expanding the capabilities on what tag agencies can do, what vo-tech schools can do so that Oklahomans have a choice and a couple other places that they can go so they aren’t tied to coming into DPS for some of these services,” Stewart said.

DPS said it will wait to see how effective the new hours are before deciding how long they will last.