Nashville, Tennessee --- The Tennessee Department of Safety (TDOS) has opened a new driver license station in Bradley County. The new 6,000 square-foot facility is located at 301 James Asbury Drive Northwest , in Cleveland. The larger, modern facility replaces the old Ocoee Street location. Operating hours are the same: Tuesday through Friday from 7:30am to 6:00pm. The facility will open an hour later on the second Wednesday of each month. It is also the operations center for the Tennessee Highway Patrol in Bradley County.

"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 Cleveland 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."

The demand for Department of Safety services has steadily increased in Bradley County, and is up about 25% since 2000. The site serves approximately 30,000 Tennesseans annually. Increased space at the new station allows for a 33% increase in computerized testing equipment.

TDOS reminds citizens they can often avoid a trip to a driver license station by visiting the department's website at www.tennessee.gov/safety, where many 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.