LIMERICK — After December, folks from Limerick and surrounding communities who renew their driver’s licenses at the state’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles mobile unit that stops in town once a month, will have to make other arrangements.

The mobile service is being eliminated, which means folks will have to drive to Springvale or Kennebunk in York County to get their driver’s license renewed or to Scarborough, in Cumberland County.

The last scheduled visit is Dec. 18, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The mobile BMV sets up at the  Municipal Building on Washington Street.

Alternatively, if municipalities are interested, their towns could become registered agents, granting municipal personnel the authority to issue driver’s license renewals, said Maine Secretary of State’ Office spokeswoman Kristen Muszynski. The Maine Legislature approved legislation this past session to allow municipalities to be registered agents, she said.

In Limerick, Town Clerk Judy LeaPage said people will be upset at the elimination of the mobile service.

“Here we get a lot of elderly people who won’t want to drive (to a branch office),” said LePage. “It will effect them the most.”

LePage said the mobile service sees customers from outlying communities as well as Limerick.

“We do get inquires about local support for driver’s license material and we do direct people to Limerick,” said Parsonsfield Town Clerk David Bower.

Muszynski said the York mobile service was eliminated in 2015. The owners of the Kittery mobile location chose not to renew their lease with the state, and so that mobile service will cease this year, as well. She said Kittery’s closing would leave Limerick as the only other mobile location in the southern  part of the state, so it was closed in interests of efficiency and cost-saving. The mobile service required overnight stays, meals, and overtime  expenses for staff, she said.

She said the BMV felt existing branches were in close enough proximity to serve customers.

Republican Sen. David Woodsome, who represents Limerick, said he had been told that the costs involved to process the licenses is more than the fees received in the location.

Woodsome said the 15 or so customers he’s told the mobile BMV serves in Limerick each month isn’t a lot, but he noted the half-hour drive for most customers to get to the nearest branch office.

“I’d like to see it stay open, I’ll look into it,” he said. 

Some drivers licenses may be obtained online, like digital, non-commercial licenses. Those who require a visual screening, have a medical condition, name change or have moved from another state cannot use the online service, according to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles website.

As to municipalities becoming agents, LePage in Limerick said her office is busy enough as it is. And she said, she has questions about the costs involved.

Bower, in Parsonsfield, said he’d see what the process would entail.

“It could be a pretty big hit on equipment and people power,” said Bower. “We need more information.”

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.