Lisa Roth knew she would be waiting quite a while when she went to update the photo on her drivers license. It was 3:30 p.m. on a Saturday afternoon and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Rockview Community Driver's Licensing Office in Pleasant Gap had a long line of customers.
"It was a pain, but I had to do it," Roth said, admitting that she had waited until the last minute to have her picture retaken. Roth (junior-health policy and administration) said she had a friend drive her to the licensing office, which is located off East College Avenue.
"If I had my own car, I would have come early in the morning," Roth said.
Although many Penn Staters in need of the licensing office's services may find the trip outside of town inconvenient, University students are not the only patrons of the office.
Bryan Goodrow, the office supervisor, said the office is a "one-stop shop" that services all of Centre County.
"This is the only place you can get everything over the counter," Goodrow said, referring to the multiple services the office provides to the community. Aside from license picture retakes, the office provides license testing, replacement licenses, learner's permits, license upgrades and several other services.
But the office cannot renew a license under suspension. Goodrow said a person must "clear that up with Harrisburg."
The only other capacity the office lacks is the ability to accept cash payments for services. Although Goodrow said they are working on the problem, they lack the security right now to handle cash transactions.
Penn Staters used to be able to have their license picture retaken at a licensing center located in the Allenway Building, 315 S. Allen St., but the facility closed in June 1993.
Now, students needing a new license photo need a ride, forcing some students to wait for outside help in their journey.
John Klopp (sophomore-chemistry) waited in line a short while and remained in good spirits. Even though he does not normally have access to a car, Klopp's parents were visiting and saved their son the inconvenience of finding a ride.
