Changes To Oklahoma DPS Policy Could Cost Jobs

The new policies at Department of Public Safety may have some people out of jobs and could even change the way Oklahomans are issued a driver's license.

The proposed changes come after complaints to the governor about long lines, rude employees and lack of appointment times. The owners of drivers' license schools fear they are going to have to lay instructors off, revamp their businesses, and cancel appointments that took months to make.

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The DPS says it is trying to give people who can't afford private instruction the same treatment of those that can. On most weekday mornings, lines wrap around the corner at DPS. Until now, if you've attended an accredited driving school you can skip the line.

"They are paying for us to drive with them before the test and to work with them. They have it scheduled it six months in advance and I have to make that horrible phone call to my customers and that I am not looking forward to," said Duane Brown of Brown's Driving School.

A spokesperson with the Department of Public Safety said, "We are making changes to improve the system overall. We just want to come up with a system that is fair for everybody, both the haves and the have-nots."

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In the meantime, Brown is calling students who paid for the service to tell them they have lost their appointments (after Monday). Starting November 1, they may be able to test at the driving safety schools.

DPS and the driving schools are meeting Friday, August 24, to talk about the proposed changes.