Residents of Merrick County in need of driver’s examination services will have a brief window of opportunity on Friday, November 17, 2023. The Driver’s Examiner will be available at the Merrick County Courthouse in Central City, from 8:15 a.m. to noon and from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. However, due to ongoing statewide shortages of examiners, this will be the last scheduled session in Merrick County for the remainder of the year.

This shortage is not unique to Merrick County. Across Nebraska, several counties are experiencing similar disruptions. For instance, the Driver Licensing Office in Holdrege will be closed from September 5th until further notice. Offices in Elwood, Minden, Red Cloud, Franklin, and Beaver City have also announced closures, attributing these service interruptions to staff shortages.

The pattern of closures continues with the Driver Licensing Office in St. Paul being closed on multiple dates in November, while the office in Lexington is shut until further notice. Short-term closures in Bartlett and limited service hours in Ogallala around Thanksgiving are further signs of the strain on the system.

For Merrick County, the November 17th session will be the last chance for residents to access examination services locally before the new year. With no further dates scheduled for 2023 and the nearest alternatives also grappling with closures, county officials stress the importance of taking advantage of the November session.

Community members requiring services after November 17 are advised to plan accordingly, considering the nearest available locations and their operational statuses. For further information on statewide closures and services, residents can visit the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles’ official website.