Oklahoma
State Senate
Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
405-521-5774
For Immediate Release: February 7, 2008
Sen. Kenneth Corn
Sen. Corn Says State Must Act to Address Need for Driver License
Examiners
Oklahoma must decide whether to hire additional driver license
examiners or consolidate current testing sites. State Sen. Kenneth
Corn said more and more Oklahomans are becoming frustrated by
a shortage of examiners. Corn said Oklahomans who’ve taken
time off from work or school to take their driving exam often find
themselves waiting hours to be tested, or find no examiner is available
to test them at all.
“Given the current resources available, we’re faced
with one of two choices—we’re either going to be forced
to consolidate testing sites, or we must produce the additional
$1.8 million needed to adequately staff the current locations,”
said Corn, D-Poteau.
There are currently 59 exam sites located throughout the state where
Oklahomans can take their driver license test. Corn said without
additional funding, the state would need to consolidate those sites
to 27 locations.
“That would keep us within the budget, but it also means 32
communities would lose their testing locations,” Corn said.
“Another option would be to come up with the necessary funding.
Either the legislature needs to come up with it from existing resources
currently allocated elsewhere, or by creating a new revenue source.”
Sen. Corn said there is legislation available this session that
could be amended to include a $3.00 fee increase on driver licenses
which would generate the $1.8 million needed. He said that would
equate to less than a dollar a year on a four year license.
“The public needs to tell us what they want. If they support
consolidation, that’s certainly a viable option,” Corn
said. “But if they want the current testing centers to remain
open, we’re simply going to have to find a way to pay for
it.”
For more information contact:
Senator Corn's Office: (405) 521-5576
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