BY KATHLEEN QUANDT
Clarkston News Intern Writer
Clarkston-area residents renewing driver’s licenses or registering to vote have to head to Sashabaw Road, where the secretary of state’s new North Oakland County PLUS Office is located.
Relocated from Main Street to 7090 Sashabaw Road, it consolidates Clarkston and Fenton offices. New services include instant titles, self-service stations for license plate tab renewals, commercial driver’s license testing machines, credit-card payment at the counter, and more hours on Wednesdays, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., said Patti Rogers, region manager.
‘Those services have been asked for by the customers. Driving records were always available, but people need it much quicker than that,? Rogers said.
People will be able to purchase their driving records for $8, she said.
‘It’s a nice feature that they can give it to them instantly,? she said.
Instant titles, another new feature, can be useful to people who need to sell their car right away. Since opening this past October, the office has issued almost 500 titles.
CDL testing machines, purchased with federal money, test and grade people automatically, saving customers’ time, she said.
So far, 369 customers used their self-serve machines to renew license tabs. The machines are available at all times, and accept payment by credit card.
Tabs can be renewed online, but the machines give customers more options, such as on the weekend or lunch hour, she said.
The new office is brighter and offers more space, she said.
‘It’s just a nicer environment to sit in,? she said.
Customers of the North Oakland branch seem happy about the changes. Business is up 10 percent over last year.
‘We get a lot of good feedback from customers in this office,? Rogers said.
To find an office and check out the department’s online services, go to www.Michigan.gov/sos.