McALLEN, TX — Today, Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, joined the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the community of Edinburg for the grand opening ceremony of the new Driver License Mega Center. The new driver license center will feature advanced technology that provides driver license customers with the option of reserving a spot in line before arriving at the driver license office using their smart phone, landline, or computer. Reserving a spot in line before arriving significantly reduces the time customers have to spend in the office to receive services.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Hinojosa was instrumental in securing the funds for the construction of the driver license mega center during the 84th Legislative Session in 2015. Senator Hinojosa issued the following statement:

"Last session, we worked with the Legislature and DPS to ensure funding for a driver license mega center in Edinburg. For years, the Driver License Division lacked sufficient office capacity in Hidalgo County to meet today’s demand for driver license services.

With the opening ceremony today,the new facility will significantly increase our capacity in the Rio Grande Valley by 60,000 transactions per year and will decrease wait times at all our locations in the Valley. I thank our community leaders, local public officials, and DPS, who all had a strong commitment on working together to shorten waiting periods for driver license applicants. I am happy to have been part of these efforts to improve services to the public."

The new facility also will include space for class C driver license skills testing as well as two testing lanes for commercial driver license skills testing – a true asset for commercial motor vehicle drivers across the entire Rio Grande Valley. Commercial driver license applicants will be able to submit their application, take the written test and the road test all at this one new location.

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