Can the NC DMV fix its long lines?

Can the NC DMV fix its long lines?

Author: WUNC News August 22, 2025 Duration: 26:56
Can North Carolina’s troubled DMV finally turn the corner after years of long lines and finger-pointing about who or what’s to blame? Several months into his new job as DMV commissioner, Paul Tine says the agency is now making progress. Staff vacancies are being filled, and the legislature recently approved more staff positions and several new DMV offices. Tine spoke with WUNC's Colin Campbell after State Auditor Dave Boliek’s scathing audit report, which found that average DMV wait times have increased to an hour and 15 minutes. He says the agency is already working on many of the issues highlighted in the report.

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Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

WUNC Politics
Podcast Episodes
How Research Triangle Park became an economic juggernaut [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:50
Research Triangle Park has been a driving force in North Carolina’s growth, but it started with a group of business and political leaders who saw potential to capitalize on the area’s three universities. 70 years ago, th…
Big changes for state workers and government hiring [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:25
In July, Gov. Josh Stein signed a bill that makes big changes to the laws governing state government employment. He says the laws largely haven’t been updated since the 1960s. Among the changes. state employees will find…
Catching up with Rufus Edmisten at 85 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:33
More than 50 years after his role in the Senate’s Watergate investigation, a North Carolina political veteran is taking a look back at his career and how the political world has changed. Rufus Edmisten recently turned 85…
A six-year-old's death prompts new child welfare safeguards [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:08
The abuse and neglect of a child in Charlotte prompted state lawmakers to pass stronger child welfare regulations as part of the newly enacted budget bill. The Dominique Moody Safety Act was passed in the state House and…
What's in the long overdue state budget bill? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:41
The legislature largely wrapped up its 2026 short session this week with the arrival -- and quick passage -- of the long-delayed state budget bill. We’re sharing our This Week in State Politics segment, where WUNC News'…
NC's rural school funding challenges [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:01
The long delays in the state budget process are hurting teacher retention in rural districts like Halifax County, and it’s just one of the many funding challenges these districts are facing amid uncertain funding. To bet…
NC's $100 billion transportation infrastructure challenge [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:04
With a growing population and skyrocketing construction costs, the N.C. Department of Transportation needs more help to build and improve roads and infrastructure across the state. If you’re driving around a high-growth…
How state employees are reacting to long-delayed raises [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:42
Legislative leaders recently announced state employee raises as part of an initial budget agreement, but how much workers will receive will vary greatly depending on what they do for state government. The State Employees…
A youthful push for NC vape regulations [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:43
A group of high school and college students want state lawmakers to crack down on the loosely regulated sales of vaping products. They're pushing for action on a bipartisan bill filed last year to regulate retailers that…
The ad (and issue) that helped oust Sen. Phil Berger [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:09
Senate leader Phil Berger lost his primary in March to Rockingham County sheriff Sam Page by just 23 votes. When the margin is that close, every factor that influenced at least 23 voters could be considered the deciding…