Small audience reviews DMV's Saturday debut

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Most praised the convenience and short lines on the first day DMV officials opened six state offices on Saturdays.

There was some grumbling, however.

Erich McDonald, 28, of Anderson, said he was upset his wife, Katherine, 29, who is from Peru, couldn't take an exam for a driving permit because immigration paperwork couldn't be processed.

"It's kinda like a joke in a way," Erich McDonald said.

The McDonalds said they have been at the DMV offices three times recently as she struggles to pass the test.

"The only thing I want is they treat aliens as people," Katherine McDonald said.

DMV spokesman John Caldwell said there was no one working Saturday at the Saluda Dam Road location who knew how to process paperwork for non-citizens or immigrants. He said at least two DMV employees working out of the office are capable of handling that paperwork, but they were not working Saturday.

The Saturday office hours started just two days after Gov. Mark Sanford signed a bill that made the motor vehicle agency a cabinet-level department.

"It's an example of something that's common sense," Sanford said. "It makes sense to have offices open in major metropolitan areas at a time when more folks are available to go to those offices."

Overall, things worked well, Caldwell said.

"It's been a good day," he said.

Phil Verzella, 31, an engineer from Greenville, agreed. He said he lives near the Donaldson Center, but drove to the Saluda Dame Road site for a permit for his motorcycle.

"Maybe this is the shortest line that I've ever been in," he said. "I expected a long line."

For James Chappell, 19, of Spartanburg, it was a breeze getting a tag for his 1995 Pontiac.

He said it took him longer to drive from Spartanburg than the 20 minutes it took to conduct the business.

"I'm glad because I expected half the state to be here," he said jokingly about 1:30 p.m.

Standing outside, Pamela Gustin of Greenville said she felt the same. She brought her daughter, Holly Fleming, 17, to get a permit to drive.

"It's great," Gustin said. "It didn't take us long. I figured a little wait. We didn't have to wait at all."

The six offices will continue to be open on Saturdays, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., except on July 5 and Aug. 30 due to state holiday closings.

Department spokeswoman Beth Parks said the department may open additional offices on Saturday if necessary.

Meanwhile, David Browning of Easley said normally he would have taken off time from his job at General Electric to update his driver's license.

"I was impressed," of the 15 minutes it took, he said Saturday. "My wife said it would take all day. They were very fast."

E. Richard Walton can be reached at 298-4317.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.