Ribbon Cutting Offically Opens Department of Driver Services in Cumming

Alpharetta and Milton motorists have a new place to get their drivers' licenses, and while it's not in this county, it's not that far away.

The new location in Cumming officially opened on Aug. 11 with city, county and state officials present, as well as representatives from the Department of Driver Services (DDS) board and employees.

Cumming Mayor H. Ford Gravitt began the ceremony with remarks of appreciation to all those who made the facility “the most convenient and most scenic facility in the state of Georgia” adding that the view to the west contains the mountains and Lake Lanier is visible from the 400’ by 400’ pad in the rear of the facility used for automobile, motorcycle, and eventually commercial driver licenses.

Sen. Jack Murphy expressed his thanks and added that “when we first started this project we were a lot younger.” He described the 9,000 square foot facility as “the finest in the state.”

DDS Commissioner Greg Dozier shared with the crowd that the 3.2 million people who are expected to be served will feel appreciated and that their tax money is well spent.

“They’ve entrusted us, said Dozier. He added that DDS looks forward to “offering exceptional service” and that customers believe “we truly do care about their experience with the state.”

The Cumming DDS staff recently won “Most Improved Center,” an honor based upon its level of service and not the actual building. 

Mayor Gravitt also thanked former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue and the legislature for getting appropriations and his help with the project.

The ribbon was cut and attendees were invited to tour the facility. 

Forsyth County Commissioner District 1 Pete Amos said, “I’m proud of the city of Cumming for picking up the ball and getting it [the facility] built and keeping it here in the county. I’m proud to have it. It’s a beautiful facility.”

Waymond Henry, director of Facilities for DDS, guided visitors around the facility showing the administrative area in which a license fraud investigator will soon work, in addition to other offices and the secure IT area. Henry said that Homeland Security requirements were “integrated into our system."

Henry pointed out the training room where motorcycle training professionals are “provided by DDS to the city” for those interested in obtaining a motorcycle license. 

The Testing and Training area, located in the rear of the building, is strictly for official use only and not a place for drivers to practice their skills.

Center Manager Richard Turpin commented that customers “love how beautiful it is” as compared to the former County Way facility a few miles north on GA 400.

Located at 400 Aquatic Circle, the facility has been operational for approximately three weeks now. Henry explained that typically ‘opening day’ is crowded and a time to get all the kinks worked out of the technology, so the official ceremony is set for when everything is up and running. 

The area will eventually be home to the Cumming campus of North Georgia College & State University and the U.S. Army National Guard's $24 million facility.