The Myrtle Beach Department of Motor Vehicles temporarily will move from its building on 21st Avenue North to the Myrtle Square Mall until the spring of 2005.

A fire-retardant chemical originally put on the ceiling beams more than 20 years ago when the building was constructed has started to crack and weaken the ceiling beams, said DMV spokeswoman Beth Parks.

While the ceiling is being replaced, the building also will be expanded, which will allow the DMV to get rid of the modular building that sits behind the facility on 21st Avenue North. It was put there several years ago to help handle the high volume of customers, Parks said.

The new building will have two separate sections for vehicle and driver services, more counter space and a bigger lobby.

Parks said moving to the mall won't make it more difficult for customers to visit the DMV. Although the unit in the mall is a little smaller than the current building, Parks said people won't feel crowded because lines can go out into the mall corridor.

The temporary office will have nine windows and offer all the services the current office does, with one exception: It will not give motorcycle tests. People who want motorcycle test are encouraged to go to the DMV in Georgetown, Conway or Marion.

The temporary location at 2501 N. Kings Highway is less than a mile from the current location. The last day the DMV will operate at its current location is Thursday. On Aug. 30 it will reopen in Myrtle Square Mall.

Parks said the damage at the current DMV caused by the fire retardant does not put anyone in immediate danger but could cause structural problems down the road. While that is being fixed, the DMV decided to go ahead and expand its facilities.

"Myrtle Beach is a really high-growth area. The reason they added the [modular building] to the back was to accommodate growth," Parks said.

Signs will be posted on the current DMV building, Myrtle Square Mall and the county tax building on 21st Avenue North to let people know the DMV has temporarily moved to its new location.