Whitehaven Driver Service Center to Reopen after New Construction
Friday, May 13, 2011 | 05:09am
NASHVILLE --- The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security will reopen a new full-service Driver Service Center, including reinstatement services, at 3200 East Shelby Drive (Whitehaven) in Memphis, Monday, May 16, 2011. The center has been temporarily closed for construction at the same location since July 2009.
“This is a significant improvement for those residents seeking driver license services in Shelby County,” said Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner Bill Gibbons. “We hope the creation of an additional Driver Service Center that offers a full range of services will help alleviate the customers’ wait times, especially in one of the largest counties in Tennessee.”
The new Whitehaven Center includes expanded customer service desks and replaces a smaller facility that was too small to adequately serve customers. The Whitehaven Driver Service Center previously closed on Thursday, July 16, 2009, and temporarily moved to the Walnut Grove Driver Service Center, located at 3040 Walnut Grove Road in Midtown until the new construction could be completed.
Reopening at 8:00 a.m. CST on Monday, the Whitehaven Driver Service Center will operate during its normal business hours of Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. On the second Wednesday of each month, the facility opens one hour later due to a monthly staff meeting.
“The 23-month closure of the Whitehaven Driver Service Center allowed for construction of a new facility to better serve the growing needs of Memphis and Shelby County,” said Driver Services Director Michael Hogan. “We are pleased that the reopening of this critical location with a complete facelift and expanded space will significantly enhance customer service.”
Construction of the new center on approximately seven acres of land owned by the city of Memphis followed demolition of the previous facility. Mayer Construction, 2834 Appling Way in Memphis, built the new 13,000 square feet facility. Looney Ricks Kill Architects Inc. designed the center.
Effective at the close of business, Friday, May 13, 2011, the Express/Reinstatement Office located at 2516 Mt. Moriah Road, Suite F 720 in Memphis, will permanently close. The Mt. Moriah Service Center had provided reinstatement services-only to serve customers during the reconstruction of the Whitehaven Driver Service Center.
Customers may also utilize the other nearby full-service Driver Service Centers in Shelby County. The Summer Avenue Driver Service Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST. Directions to the Summer Avenue Driver Service Center, located at 6340 Summer Avenue in East Memphis:
- Take I-40 East to Exit 12 (Sycamore View).
- Turn onto Sycamore View. Take Sycamore View to Summer Avenue (Hwy 70) and turn right.
- The Driver Service Center is 1 ½ miles down on the left.
The Millington Driver Service Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST. Directions to the Millington Driver Service Center, located at 5019 West Union Road north of Memphis in Millington:
- Take Hwy 51 (Thomas Street) north to Millington.
- Go through Millington past Wal-Mart.
- Turn left on West Union Road (the second street past Wal-Mart). The Driver Service Center is on the left.
Directions to the Walnut Grove Driver Service Center located at 3040 Walnut Grove Road in Memphis. The Driver Service is located across from the Memphis Central Library. The Center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for express services (duplicates and renewals) only. Knowledge and skills testing will no longer be provided.
Customers may also utilize other nearby full-service Driver Service Centers in Fayette, Hardeman and Tipton Counties. All three Driver Service Centers are open Tuesday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Directions to the Fayette County Driver Service Center located at 160 Beau Tisdale Drive in Oakland, Tennessee:
- Go east on US 64 to Beau Tisdale Drive
- Turn right on Beau Tisdale Drive.
The Hardeman County Driver Service Center is located at 200 Harris Street in Whiteville.
Directions to the Hardeman County Driver Service Center located at 200 Harris Street, Whiteville, Tennessee:
From Highway 64 West:
· Take Hwy 64 going east toward Whiteville. Continue through Whiteville to Harris Street.
· Take a left onto Harris Street. The Driver Service Center is located approximately 200 feet from the turn off and is on the right.
· The building is tan with a red roof and lake in front.
From I-40:
· Take Exit 52 and follow the signs to State Route 179, Whiteville.
· Follow SR 179, 16.8 miles to Whiteville. At Whiteville city limits, follow signs for SR 179 to Hwy 64. Turn right onto Hwy 64 West.
· Follow Hwy 64 West to Harris Street. The Driver Service Center is located approximately 200 feet from the turn off and is on the right.
· The building is tan with a red roof and lake in front.
The Tipton County Driver Service Center is located at 220 Highway 51 N., Suite 1, Covington, Tenn. Directions to the Tipton County Driver Service Center located at 220 Highway 51 N., Suite 1, in Covington:
From Interstate 40:
· From Memphis take I-40 west (towards Nashville). At Exit 2A, take off ramp (towards Millington).
· Take Highway 51 traveling north. Follow Hwy 51 approximately 35 miles.
· Upon reaching Covington city limit sign, go through four traffic lights.
· The Driver Service Center will be on the right about 2/10 of a mile after the fourth traffic light.
Customers only needing a duplicate license or to renew their driver license can visit online at www.tn.gov.
The Tennessee Department of Safety’s (www.TN.Gov/safety) mission is 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.
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