Sen. Corn Says State Must Act to Address Need for Driver License Examiners

Oklahoma must decide whether to hire additional driver license examiners or consolidate current testing sites. State Sen. Kenneth Corn said more and more Oklahomans are becoming frustrated by a shortage of examiners. Corn said Oklahomans who’ve taken time off from work or school to take their driving exam often find themselves waiting hours to be tested, or find no examiner is available to test them at all.

“Given the current resources available, we’re faced with one of two choices—we’re either going to be forced to consolidate testing sites, or we must produce the additional $1.8 million needed to adequately staff the current locations,” said Corn, D-Poteau.

There are currently 59 exam sites located throughout the state where Oklahomans can take their driver license test. Corn said without additional funding, the state would need to consolidate those sites to 27 locations.

“That would keep us within the budget, but it also means 32 communities would lose their testing locations,” Corn said. “Another option would be to come up with the necessary funding. Either the legislature needs to come up with it from existing resources currently allocated elsewhere, or by creating a new revenue source.”

Sen. Corn said there is legislation available this session that could be amended to include a $3.00 fee increase on driver licenses which would generate the $1.8 million needed. He said that would equate to less than a dollar a year on a four year license.

“The public needs to tell us what they want. If they support consolidation, that’s certainly a viable option,” Corn said. “But if they want the current testing centers to remain open, we’re simply going to have to find a way to pay for it.”