Nashville, Tennessee --- The Tennessee Department of Safety (TDOS) will open a new driver license station in Sumner County on December 21. The new 5,500 square-foot facility is located in Gallatin at 855 Bluejay Way, off Highway 31 across from Harris Lane. The larger, modern facility replaces the current Nashville Pike location. Operating hours remain Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The current driver license station on Nashville Pike will be closed for business on Friday, December 17 and Monday, December 20 in order to complete the move. The new station will open for business at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday. The new full-service location will process all driver license transactions including new issuance, renewals and duplicates. Knowledge, vision and skills exams for first-time applicants are conducted on-site. Driving record (MVR) requests and handgun applications are also offered.

"Providing greater access to and better efficiency of all driver license needs remains a top priority of the department," said TDOS Commissioner Fred Phillips. "Not only will the new driver license station in Gallatin vastly improve our ability to efficiently service the needs of our customers, but we've also implemented new time-saving features for renewal and duplicate customers."

In addition to the expanded lobby and testing areas at the new Gallatin facility, the department has implemented several express-service tools to achieve an improved level of customer service. A paperless transaction streamlining renewal and duplicate services for existing licensed drivers has been implemented. The paperless process no longer requires renewal/duplicate customers to complete and submit an application.

Additionally, the new Gallatin station will feature a self-service kiosk that allows added convenience to customers needing renewal and duplicate licenses. The kiosk enables customers to complete their renewal/duplicate request by using a credit card. By following the prompts on the computer screen, the request is processed and an examiner is notified to take the customer's picture completing the transaction.

"More than 50 percent of the driver license transactions conducted each year in the state are renewals alone. Although online services have been available for many transactions including renewals for several years, we've found these services still require an in-person visit at times," said TDOS Deputy Commissioner Tom Moore. "That's exactly why we've implemented the new timesaving paperless transaction and self-service kiosks. It steps up the customer convenience factor for all."

TDOS reminds citizens they can often avoid a trip to a driver license station by visiting www.tennessee.gov/safety where many of the most common driver license services are available online. Online services include renewals, duplicates, reinstatements and change of address requests.

The Tennessee Department of Safety's mission is (www.tennessee.gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.