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Those needing to take a driving test to receive their first, or renew their old, driver's licenses are finding it hard to do these days.
An Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles policy change, combined with a lack of driving evaluators, has resulted in a backlog of people needing to take driving tests.
"The BMV told me they are all booked up through the end of December," said Milo Sheler, of Warsaw. "The manager of the Warsaw License Branch said this is a problem all over the state."
Sheler, 82, said he was told the backlog in driving test requests was due to a change in BMV policy regarding student drivers. Effective last August, the BMV began requiring all driver's education students not receiving an A on the driving portion of their class to take a driving test from the BMV before receiving their first license.
This has caused problems for senior drivers like Sheler, and Imogene Waugh, of Pierceton.
Indiana law requires all drivers over age 75 to take a driver's test every three years to renew their licenses. These senior drivers are now in heavy competition for driving test openings with the large influx of new driver's education students.
In a letter to the editor Friday, Waugh said she had to go to Plymouth to find an opening for a driving test.
"Later, I called Plymouth and will be able to be attended before my birthday," Waugh said.
According to Natalie Himebaugh, public affairs, the problem is statewide and the bureau is trying to resolve the situation. In the meantime, they are advising drivers to call other branches close by, or even in an adjoining county, to find available testing slots.
"Some branches are booked through the end of December," Himebaugh said. "But, unlike vehicle registrations, people can renew driver's licenses at any branch in the state."
She said statewide the bureau sees a 10 percent cancellation or no-show rate, so testing slots do open up.
"We're hoping to have the situation resolved in the next few weeks, but until then, we're asking people to be patient and understanding."
Hiring more driving inspectors is not an option because of budget constraints. By law, the BMV cannot extend expiration dates of licenses held by drivers unable to obtain a driving test appointment.
