Lines at the Driver License Division are notorious, but recent legislation meant to help improve the quality of young drivers is pushing the wait even longer.

Kim Gibb, records bureau chief for the Drivers License Division, said that, along with being understaffed, House Bill 363 "Learner's Permit Provisions" that went into effect Aug. 1 is a culprit for longer waits in lines and longer waits to take a driving test.

Under the bill, driving students younger than 18 have to have their learner's permit for six months before they can take the driving test and get a license. And 15-year-olds can get their learner's permit, even before enrolling in a class, meaning more teenagers are seeking permits.

"Now we've got not only the 16-year-olds, but the 15-year-olds," Gibb said of those being processed for permission to drive.

Gibb said there will be some transfer time, as the new students are eligible for their permit at 15 -- and they come to the Driver License Division to pick it up, and the new 16-year-olds are coming in to get their keys to the road and take the test.

"At this point, people have met that six-month requirement and are now coming in to apply," Gibb said. "They are quite busy with road tests."

The wait to take the driver's test is nearly a month. The next available testing time at the Orem office is May 15.

Manager of A-1 Driving School Victor Beltran said he tells his students to schedule ahead of time so there is no delay.

"We tell them 'You have to book in advance,' " he said. "If their birthday is in July, we tell them to call in June."

Students who take the driver's class in school or at electronic high school can take the road test at a school or at the Driver License Division, said Wendy Bills, president of Utah Driver Traffic Safety Education Association. But students who use a private school, such as A-1 Driving School must either test with a private instructor different from the one who taught them, or go to the Driver License Division.

Private testers cost more money, but they can save time in line. Beltran said his students are all given a list of private instructors who can give them the road test.

The good news is, Bills said the students who are testing now, after having their learner's permit for six months, are excellent drivers.

There is a concern though about the 15-year-olds with learner's permits but who haven't taken a driving class.

Since a student can have their permit before any formal driver's education -- they have to pass a 50 question, closed-book test -- there could be inexperienced drivers on the road.

"I'm concerned that we're issuing learner's permits to students who have had no class instruction, driving with adults who have had no classroom instruction," Bills said.

Gibb said if the office was fully staffed, there wouldn't be a month delay, but office supervisors are stepping up and issuing driver's tests, too.

"Generally they are pretty busy with other things, but it's definitely a priority for us, to make sure we're accommodating," she said.

For those seeking to renew their license, get a duplicate or seeking an identification card, they can avoid the line by going to the express office in Provo.

Natalie Andrews can be reach at 344-2548 or nandrews@heraldextra.com.

Orem Driver License Office

759 N. 1370 West

Orem, Utah 84057-2810

(801) 234-8260

All CDL licensing and testing by appointment only

Hours for licensing services:

Open Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Open During Lunch

Hearings call for Appt. (801) 234-8260

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Provo Express Station Driver License Office

Community Credit Union Building

Suite 250

1503 S. 40 East

Provo, Utah 84606

(801) 234-8260 (Orem office)

Hours for licensing services:

Open Monday - Friday from 7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Open During Lunch

Renewals, Duplicates, & Original IDs only

No Commercial Driver Licenses issued at this office.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page A1.