Rep. Brad Boles

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives today passed legislation designed to help cut down on lengthy wait times currently occurring at the Oklahoma Dept. of Public Safety (DPS).

House Bill 1059 is authored by Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow, and would help the Dept. of Public Safety address the significant backlog that has built up as a result of the challenges brought by COVID-19 and the implementation of Real IDs.

“Lawmakers have heard from many of our constituents who are upset with the large backlog and months-long wait time at DPS offices, and I believe House Bill 1059 will be a positive step forward to help alleviate this problem,” Boles said. “These changes would make the process more efficient for Oklahomans and ease some of the burden on DPS.”

The legislation authorizes local tag agencies to issue commercial driver’s licenses renewals, replacements, change of addresses and downgrades for Class A, B and C licenses. Currently, DPS must process all of these requests.

The bill would also allow tag agents to issue an ID card even if the driver’s license is expired or suspended, as long as the person requesting the ID has an existing Oklahoma driver’s license file. Currently, the person requesting the ID must have a valid unexpired license to receive an ID card from a tag agent.

HB1059 would allow third party examiners to test anyone with a commercial driver’s license permit. Third-party examiners are only allowed to administer driver’s tests to their own students.

The bill passed the House 91-2 and is now available to be considered in the Senate, where it is authored by Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan.