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The North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles released new data on the average wait time spent at the DMV.
The average wait time across the state is roughly two hours and 45 minutes, but that time varies significantly by location.
The longest recorded wait time is at the Cary location, which averaged about five hours and 10 minutes, while the shortest recorded wait time is at the Jefferson location in Ashe County, which is around 12 minutes.
This newly released data comes shortly after the department announced the hiring of 64 new employees at offices around the state, which is part of an ongoing effort to speed service at the division, which has struggled to recruit and retain employees.
A recent state audit found that staffing shortages and an overwhelmed workforce were major contributors to long lines at DMV offices across the state — particularly as the division deals with a crush of newcomers and existing residents needing services, including upgraded IDs to meet new federal standards.
On the last Saturday that the department offered weekend walk-in hours, which was Aug. 23, the line at one Triangle office wrapped around the back of the building, leaving some without even the option to be seen.
Patricia Ellis arrived at the DMV office on Avent Ferry Road around 6:30 a.m., where she was one of the more than 300 people already standing in line.
“We are very frustrated,” said Ellis. “We are told that we are not guaranteed to be seen, no matter what number we are. I’m very frustrated having to wait, especially seeing elderly people, young people, all kinds of people waiting in line.”
Across the three Raleigh DMV locations, wait times varied from one hour and 30 minutes to three hours and 30 minutes.
The data is aggregated from the DMV process, new this summer, which allows drivers to check in and wait nearby to be seen.
Below are the average DMV wait times for locations in most of the Triangle:
- Carrboro, 2:52:09
- Cary, 5:10:07
- Clayton, 3:48:49
- Durham East, 2:49:03
- Durham South, 3:48:31
- Fayetteville South, 3:40:06
- Fayetteville West, 3:11:59
- Fuquay-Varina, 1:19:16
- Garner, 3:42:43
- Goldsboro, 3:09:27
- Hillsborough, 2:54:54
- Louisburg, 2:32:05
- Raleigh East, 1:28:52
- Raleigh North, 3:27:21
- Raleigh West, 2:50:11
- Rocky Mount, 2:26:36
- Sanford, 2:13:26
- Wilson, 2:09:30
Some of the longest wait times were at the Cary and Marshall locations, which had an average five-hour wait time.
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