Long lines form for driver's license renewals - Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic, and Sports | FOX 5

Customers at driver services offices across metro Atlanta complained of long lines on Thursday. The Forest Park office was packed inside, forcing some people to wait outside for the chance to renew their license.
    
Officials say the lines are always long the days after a holiday, but customers say it's because of the new rules that went into effect July 1 instead.  Now, you must come in person to renew your license, and you must bring two documents showing proof of residency with you.

"We just want to be as vigilant as we can be so that there is not anyone in Georgia who is using someone else's identity, and there is not anyone in Georgia who is attempting to commit any act, any criminal act, any act of terror using the credentials we have generated," said Jennifer Ammon of the Georgia Department of Driver Services.

Some people were caught off guard by the changes. Levar Gilford said that he tried to replace his Arkansas driver's license last week, but was missing documentation. When he returned on Thursday, he found that the requirements had changed.

The staff at the Sandy Springs DDS office began turning people away by midday.

DDS officials say that offices don't want to take in more customers than they can serve before closing. She said that while transactions may not a bit longer while staff and customers adjust to the new rules, it's common to see long lines in the days after a holiday.

U.S. Army veteran Mario Orizebal says he appreciates the state's effort to enhance security, but says it complicates matters for legal immigrants.  He says his family from El Salvador does not have utility bills or bank statements because they don't have an ID in order to get a job or open an account.

One man told FOX 5 the new requirements may cause a little extra work for some people to locate the right documentation, but it keeps the system more honest.

Officials with the Georgia DDS suggest going online to review the new requirements before you make the trip to an office for renewal. They also suggest going early.For more information on the new requirements, click here.