Release
OKLAHOMA CITY – A bipartisan group of Oklahoma State Representatives today sent a letter to Governor Kevin Stitt expressing their support for an executive order to address challenges and lengthy wait times many Oklahomans are currently facing when trying to receive and renew driver’s licenses or update existing licenses to REAL IDs. In addition, they provided a list of recommendations to be considered for inclusion in the executive order.
“As members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, we support your efforts to enact an executive order with the help of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety as well as the Oklahoma Legislature to address this alarming issue facing many Oklahomans,” the lawmakers said in the letter. “While there is legislation pending in the House to increase the number of authorized driver testing exam locations, we agreed this problem merits immediate action.”
The following lawmakers signed on to the letter:
- Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow
- Rep. Lonnie Sims, R-Jenks
- Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon
- Rep. Steve Bashore, R-Miami
- Rep. Jeff Boatman, R-Tulsa
- Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow
- Rep. Denise Brewer, D-Tulsa
- Rep. Ty Burns, R-Pawnee
- Rep. Carol Bush, R-Tulsa
- Rep. Rusty Cornwell, R-Vinita
- Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, R-Piedmont
- Rep. Dean Davis, R-Broken Arrow
- Rep. Eddy Dempsey, R-Valliant
- Rep. Sheila Dills, R-Tulsa
- Rep. Mike Dobrinski, R-Okeene
- Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee
- Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Oklahoma City
- Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang
- Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane
- Rep. Ronny Johns, R-Ada
- Rep. Gerrid Kendrix, R-Altus
- Rep. Dell Kerbs, R-Shawnee
- Rep. Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa
- Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber
- Rep. Ken Luttrell, R-Ponca City
- Rep. Robert Manger, R-Oklahoma City
- Rep. Anthony Moore, R-Clinton
- Rep. Carl Newton, R-Cherokee
- Rep. Monroe Nichols, D-Tulsa
- Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland
- Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton
- Rep. Kenton Patzkowsky, R-Balko
- Rep. Dustin Roberts, R-Durant
- Rep. Eric Roberts, R-Oklahoma City
- Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman
- Rep. Todd Russ, R-Cordell
- Rep. Danny Sterling, R-Tecumseh
- Rep. Mark Vancuren, R-Owasso
- Rep. Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston
- Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore
- Rep. Rick West, R-Heavener
- Rep. Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City
- Rep. Max Wolfley, R-Oklahoma City
- Rep. Rande Worthen, R-Lawton
The full text of the letter can be seen below:
Oklahoma House of Representatives
Feb. 9, 2020
Governor J. Kevin Stitt,
Oklahomans across the state are facing enormous challenges and lengthy wait times to schedule appointments to receive driver’s licenses or update existing licenses to REAL IDs.
As a result of social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the high demand for REAL IDs, our tag agencies are overwhelmed. These unreasonable wait times are leading to significant delays for our commercial drivers in the state, limiting our opportunities for economic growth and making it substantially more difficult for new drivers to become licensed.
Our constituents have faced this issue for months, and many have tried for several months to schedule appointments. Oklahomans across the state are facing the same issue and we the undersigned Legislators applaud your efforts to work with all parties and find a solution that meets the needs of our constituents in a timely manner.
As members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, we support your efforts to enact an Executive Order with the help of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety as well as the Oklahoma Legislature to address this alarming issue facing many Oklahomans. While there is legislation pending in the House to increase the number of authorized driver testing exam locations, we agreed this problem merits immediate action.
We request the following recommendations be considered for implementation by the executive order:
- Allow tag agents to renew, replace or downgrade a commercial driver’s license (CDL). The Dept. of Public Safety currently has to process all of them.
- Allow tag agents to issue an identification card if the person requesting the identification card has an existing state driver’s license file, even if the driver’s license is expired or suspended. Currently, the requesting person must have a valid driver’s license to receive an identification card from a tag agent.
- Allow third-party examiners (non-DPS CDL examiners) to test anyone with a CDL permit. Currently, they are only allowed to administer driving tests to their own students.
- Allow certain locations, such as Oklahoma Career Tech Centers, to administer driving knowledge written tests for Class D exams, with hopes to expand to CDL exams.
We believe the changes listed above would lend more authority and control to our local tag agencies and significantly reduce the wait times Oklahomans are facing.
Again we appreciate your efforts in enacting this Executive Order to help Oklahomans throughout the State.
Sincerely,