Cobb County breaks ground for new DDS buildings

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COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Making a trip to a Georgia Driver's Services office is a ritual many people love to complain about, but in one metro county state officials and county commissioners are trying to change that attitude.
 
Citizen discontent is one reason why Gov. Nathan Deal made the trek Monday to Cobb County to break ground, at least symbolically, on two new Drivers Services Centers for the county.
 
Channel 2's Ross Cavitt visited the Cobb County DDS office, where wait times average more than 20 minutes per person. That number keeps going up as more people move into the state. 
 
"Takes out half your day. You have to take off work to come down and get your license and it just takes a long time," Samantha Johnson told Cavitt. 
 
DDS Commissioner Rob Mikell expressed willingness make visits more pleasant, "When those folks come here, their first touch with government is to get their drivers' license updates and we want to make sure we're serving them efficiently."
 
"It is very important that the impression they have of the new state they are adopting be a good one," said Deal. 
 
Cobb's Drivers Services Center is nicknamed "the boat" for its odd shape and inefficient design. The building is old and has seats for only a few dozen, when usually a few hundred might be needed.  Often people are forced to stand in line outside under a carport. 
 
Back in 2012, visitors waited in the heat when lines stretched out the door after a computer glitch slowed the process even further at several DDS locations.
 
Visitors previously had to stand up to take drivers tests, and the building is known for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning problems.
 
The new buildings will have seats for hundreds, with 20 service counters and larger computer stations.
 
The buildings will be constructed by Cobb County and leased to the state.
 
One new center will be built near the current one in Marietta, and a second new facility will be built in Kennesaw.  Both should open in April or May of next year.