The Dyer County Driver's License office has been closed for nearly two months and while many drivers have made the long trek to Union City or Trenton for their driver's license needs, there is a little-known option right here in Dyersburg that drivers can use. Prior to the driver's license office on James H. Rice Road closing at the end of last year, Commissioner Bill Gibbons and Assistant Commissioner Lori Bullard of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security met with Dyer County Mayor Richard Hill, Dyer County Clerk Diane Moore and State Rep. Bill Sanderson in October to discuss the installation of a kiosk at the Dyer County Clerk's Office that would help residents with some of the tasks they would normally visit a driver's license office for.

"If you are already in the system, the kiosk will be able to address your needs," said Bullard during their meeting in October.

The kiosk has been operational since Jan. 1 and has been a huge success according to Moore. The kiosk is able to issue a duplicate license in the event that you lose your license or if it is stolen and process a renewal if it's not too far expired. The kiosk cannot administer exams or process license transfers from another state; drivers will have to visit the license centers in Union City and Trenton for those tasks.

The kiosk is operated by a touch screen, which is programmed with easy-to-follow instructions. Once a user has completed each screen they will then be prompted to take a photo, which the machine will also do. The user will stand on the clearly marked yellow footprints and look directly at the kiosk while it snaps a photo. Some users may have to take their photo more than once if their photo does not match what is on file. Once the process is complete the kiosk will print a temporary license and drivers will receive their permanent license in the mail within 7-10 business days. Drivers that are interested in picking up literature to study for their Class D license can also do so at the clerk's office.

Moore stressed to residents that the kiosk would only take debit cards or credit cards as payment. No other forms of payment can be accepted.

"The kiosk is really easy to use," said Moore. "But if a resident needs assistance in using it, we will be happy to help them."

The Dyer County Clerk's Office is open Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is also open the last Saturday of each month from 8:30 a.m. to noon.