Have you ever met a person whose personality just fills a room? La Marque’s Pit Stop BBQ was overflowing Tuesday night when DPS Sgt Stephen Woodard arrived to entertain and educate the La Marque Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association, #1 in Texas, (did I mention that before?).
I am quite sure there is not one among us who has not stood in line at the DPS Office…maybe even the office across from the College of the Mainland; you know, the one with almost no parking? Sgt. Woodard was there even though the DPS had suffered the loss of one of their own. DPS is not an organization that seeks out any sort of coverage. They do their jobs, they offer assistance to other parts of Texas when asked, and they are dedicated to what they do. You will not often see them mentioned in the media because their focus is on service.
Immediately it is quite apparent that this Trooper loves what he does and although he is lively and articulate and ever so entertaining, he is quite serious about his profession. I found the time spent with him to be one of the most informative and it inspired in me a respect for the processes DPS maintains.
Recently, funds were allocated to alleviate the long lines with the hiring of additional personnel. DPS maintains all of the driver’s license locations. Sgt Woodward decided to do a survey and he determined that every driver’s license department in the whole country is dealing with the same issue. So he decided that in order to alleviate some of the traffic, he could educate us, the general public so that we would not find it necessary to go in at all but accomplish our tasks online.
First thing to know is if you have a star on the top right corner of your license, you are one of the 60% + persons who does not have to go in to update you license. That means they have all the current information they need from you.
If you do not, you will need to go in, but you definitely need to visit the website first to know what you need to bring. Otherwise you will wait in line for hours and get to the counter only to be turned away.
First make sure you are on the actual DPS website, https://www.dps.texas.gov/.
Next, get in line Online. It will save you time and you will not be waiting in line as long. That said, do not expect to be served or called at the exact time you scheduled. Things happen that can delay your appointment – just like at the Doctor’s office – but you will be called. BE PATIENT.
Next. You will be asked for your current license, your social security number, two documents with your current address. And if you do not have your current license, bring your birth certificate. Be aware there is no way the person behind the counter can process your request without those documents – the system they are working in will not allow it. So please don’t get mad at them, it is not their fault!
Once you have accomplished your task, you will receive your new license in the mail in 4-6 weeks and it will have the coveted star at the top. Done and Done. Congratulations. You have survived the gauntlet. And the next time you see an officer with the khaki uniform and cowboy hat, take a moment and thank that Trooper for helping to keep our roads safe. You just never know. That Trooper might not come back home that night. It’s a dangerous world out there.
Morris Gould, Pam Berg, Debbie Moody, Mike Duhon, April Roden, Amy Miller, John Berg, Ben Phinney, DPS Sgt Stephen Woodard, George Gould, Jennifer Desormeaux, Tina Torres, Barbara Cook, Lt. Shawn Spruill, Barbara Gonzales, Laura Divine, Felicia Ward, Chief Kirk Jackson, Hugh Cash and Abby Cash
