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Paper License Changes

183 views · Published 30 January 2013 · 1:43 · Indexed 28 October 2026

Channel: WTVC NewsChannel 9 · 2013 · News & Politics

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by: Beth Neuhoff  Tucked inside the Hamilton County courthouse, the renewal office for driver's licenses is rarely busy. People often head to the county clerk's office to avoid long lines. But changes are now in place that you may not notice at first. While the process is quick, some drivers are now having to wait almost three weeks before receiving their permanent license through the mail. It's also a pilot program for a new statewide system. Bill Knowles, Hamilton County Clerk says, Now, you'll be given a piece of paper with your picture on it. It's good for 20 days and the state will do all the background checks within 20 days and then mail the license to you.The County Clerk's office has been chosen to pilot a new statewide system as part of the Central Issuance program. They have issued more than 200 of these renewal licenses since January.But few, if any, know about the change. We spoke to Tonya Gross who waits tables in Chattanooga. She said, If I were to ID somebody and they gave me a piece of paper, I probably wouldn't serve them because I didn't know that law had gone into effect. The changes are meant to enhance your safety and are the result of the 9-11 Commission's recommendations to prevent terrorism. Another driver waiting to renew his license added, Hopefully, it will catch more people that aren't legally here. Hopefully, it will help on a lot of things, you know. You need to know who you're just handing a license to.Others we spoke with just don't agree and think all of this is an unnecessary inconvenience. Tonya reacted, When you get a renewal, they already know who you areSo, while the lines we saw today may not be long, you'll still have to wait... for the mail man to deliver your hard copy.

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