DMV will start mailing licenses to drivers in more Triangle counties

Starting next week, the state Division of Motor Vehicles will stop handing out driver’s licenses at its offices in eight counties including Durham, Orange, Johnston and Franklin.

Drivers in those counties will start receiving their licenses by mail, after they apply for them at local DMV offices.

Wake County drivers were put on DMV’s mailing list in July, and a few other counties have made the switch since then to what DMV calls “central issuance” of driver’s licenses.

Next week DMV will make the change for its 12 driver license offices in Durham, Orange, Johnston, Franklin, Lee, Hoke, Vance and Cumberland counties.

The affected offices will close for a half day next week, on staggered schedules (see below), so DMV can install new computer software and remove the old machines that used to stamp out fresh, warm plastic every time you came in for a license.

DMV says it will screen all applications for new, duplicate and renewed licenses in its central Raleigh office, instead of local offices, so it can do a better job of reducing fraud and identity theft. Sixteen other states have begun or completed a shift to central issuance of driver's licenses.

You'll take the usual tests at the local office, where DMV will record your signature and snap your photo. You'll leave with a piece of paper that includes your name and address and an identifying bar code -- but not your photo and signature.

The new licenses are mailed from Raleigh, and most are delivered within seven to 10 days, the agency says. DMV recommends that drivers renew their licenses early, up to six months before birthday expiration dates.

Here are next week's closing times for local DMV license offices in the eight affected counties:

Carrboro (Carrboro Plaza Shopping Center, 104-GG)
Will close at noon on Tuesday, Sept. 1 and reopen on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 8 a.m.

Clayton (208 Butternut Lane)
Will close at noon on Tuesday, Sept. 1 and reopen on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 8 a.m.

Durham East (DMV Building, 101 S.. Miami Blvd.)
Will close at 8 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 31 and reopen at 1 p.m.

Durham South (DMV Building, 3825 S. Roxboro St., Suite 119)
Will close at noon on Monday, Aug. 31 and reopen on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 8 a.m.

Fayetteville South (DMV Building, 2439 Gillespie St.)
Will close at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 2 and reopen on Thursday, Sept. 3 at 8 a.m.

Fayetteville West (Eutaw Village-Bragg Blvd., 841A Elm St.)
Will close at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 2 and reopen at 1 p.m.

Henderson (DMV Building, 1080 Eastern Blvd.)
Will close at 8 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 31 and reopen at 1 p.m.

Hillsborough (DMV Building, 1201 U.S. 70 West)
Will close at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1 and reopen at 1 p.m.

Louisburg (86 Tanglewood Dr.)
Will close at noon on Monday, Aug. 31 and reopen on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 8 a.m.

Raeford (3144 U.S. 401 Business)
Will close at noon on Wednesday, Sept. 2 and reopen on Thursday, Sept. 3 at 8 a.m.

Sanford (DMV Building, 2210 Carthage St.)
Will close at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 1 and reopen at 1 p.m.

Smithfield (DMV Building, 3783 U.S. 301 South)
Will close at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 2 and reopen at 1 p.m.