Statewide DPS Office Shutdown Impacts Drivers, Tag Agencies

Oklahomans could not get their driver's licenses on February 22, after a statewide shutdown of Department of Public Safety offices. DPS said it needs more time than expected to upgrade its computer systems for the rollout of REAL IDs.

After closing early on Friday and having a three day weekend, plus Tuesday, DPS said the goal is to be back up and running by Wednesday. With winter weather moving in, the department said it is possible it may shut down for that as well.

While no one at Central Tag Agency near 15th and Harvard was getting their picture taken for a new license Tuesday, Office Manager Sydnee Jones said employees were still busy.

"We are still doing tag, taxes, titles, Pike Pass; we have driver's manuals, notaries. We're doing all of our other services, but driver's license, state IDs and REAL IDs, that system, that side of the office is completely down,” Jones said.

"This is a statewide issue. There really is nowhere for anybody to go today to get that driver's license,” Oklahoma Department of Public Safety Spokesperson Sarah Stewart said.

Stewart said the department already upgraded its new system, called "D360," for everything the public sees when getting a REAL ID. Stewart said DPS is upgrading what she calls "back office functions," for storing data on drivers' records.

"We're at the mercy of the vendor right now, fixing these issues,” Stewart said. “Of course we're working on it with them, diligently. There were people here all weekend, late last night, early this morning. So it's the number one priority, obviously, right now."

Jones worries there could still be glitches when the system is up again. In the meantime, she is asking Tulsans for patience.

"It effects the entire office,” Jones said. “It also kinda effects the whole morale of everybody coming in here. Puts everybody in a bad mood but we can't do anything about it."

DPS said if you had an appointment today, you should receive an email about how to reschedule.