The N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has announced Paul Tine as the new Commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles, with his tenure beginning Tuesday, according to a recent statement. The leadership change comes as the organization seeks to enhance customer service and streamline operations to better serve North Carolina residents. Tine, a seasoned business owner and former state legislator, will lead these improvement efforts.
Addressing the selection, Governor Josh Stein praised Tine's pragmatic approach and responsiveness to business necessities, “As a long-time business owner and a former member of the General Assembly, Paul knows how to get things done and move at the speed of business," he told NCDOT News. Stein has directed Tine to prioritize an overhaul of DMV services urgently. In a move to confront persistent issues such as long wait times, Tine brings to the table considerable experience from his tenure in the General Assembly, particularly from his role as co-chair of Transportation Appropriations.
The reform agenda for the DMV lays out a plan to address staffing challenges and bolster customer satisfaction. This includes the introduction of 61 new Driver License Examiners to ensure maximum operational capacity at DMV stations and the creation of 24 new positions to staff additional and expanding Driver License Offices. Such measures have been encapsulated in Governor Stein's proposed budget, marking a critical investment in state infrastructure and citizen services.
In light of the TSA's impending enforcement of REAL ID requirements beginning Wednesday, Commissioner Tine has offered guidance for North Carolinians. “Unless you have upcoming air travel, there is no need to rush to the DMV," he emphasized, assuring the public that the DMV will continue issuing REAL IDs after the deadline. He added that alternative forms of identification—such as passports, military IDs, and Global Entry cards—will remain valid for air travel, according to NCDOT News. For travelers without these documents, the Commissioner advised arriving at the airport earlier to allow for additional screening, but reassured that travel would not be impeded.
Paul Tine's appointment is set in a context where every North Carolinian, at some juncture of life, must interact with the DMV. In what could signal a new era of efficiency and customer focus for the agency, the Governor, the Secretary of Transportation, and Commissioner Tine himself express a shared optimism for a transformed DMV experience.
