By Jeff Hamlin
Assistant News Director

The driver’s license offices in Carrboro and Hillsborough will close briefly next week in order to make way for a new process of conveying licenses called “central issuance.”

Steve Abbott, spokesperson for the state DOT, said to prepare for the new process, the Carrboro Plaza Shopping Center office will close next Tuesday, September 1st at 1 o’clock and reopen the following morning at 8.

In Hillsborough, the office on Highway 70 West will close Tuesday, September first at 8 AM and reopen at 1 o’clock that afternoon.

Under central issuance, customers renewing their licenses or applying for new licenses will continue to visit local offices to take required tests and have their photos made. Rather than receiving their driver licenses over the counter, customers will receive a temporary driving permit valid for 20 days while their personal information is verified and their license or card is processed and mailed to them.

Abbott says the procedure is done to guard against identity theft.

The DMV expects most licenses to be delivered by mail within seven to 10 days and encourages drivers to renew their licenses early to ensure receiving their new licenses prior to the expiration date.