Facing pressure, NC DMV commissioner says he plans to step down

Wayne Goodwin, the commissioner of North Carolina’s Division of Motor Vehicles, said Wednesday he will not reapply for his position — a reversal from earlier this month, when he planned to fight for a position that has been scrutinized amid customer complaints over slow service.

Goodwin has led the DMV since 2022. Earlier this month, WRAL News reported this month that the state was opening his position to applicants amid scrutiny over the DMV's operations.

Goodwin, who is still in the role, said Feb. 14 that he would reapply for the job. But during a legislative committee meeting on Wednesday, Goodwin said he planned to leave the role, according to DMV spokesman Marty Homan. Goodwin's last day was not announced.

Goodwin provided WRAL News with a statement about his tenure.

“In addition to ongoing DMV modernization projects and online initiatives launched or expanded on my watch, NC needs a DMV workforce that more proportionally reflects the explosive population growth of our State. NC has had well over 2.4 million *new* residents over 20 years but only 3 new offices (net),” Goodwin wrote. “I have shared this fact publicly time and time again while underscoring that DMV is an essential service.

“When private businesses realize there are 2.4 million new customers (and growing), they add positions and open more locations in addition to online services and seeking greater efficiencies.”

Under Goodwin's leadership, and before, the agency faced criticism over long wait times, delays in issuing driver's licenses and identification cards and other problems. State Auditor Dave Boliek launched an audit this month into the DMV's operations, spending and technology in an effort to help improve financial and operational efficiency.

Since 2022, Goodwin has taken steps to improve DMV's services and alleviate lines by opening some offices on Saturdays, pushing for electronic driver’s licenses that could be stored on smartphones and installing self-service kiosks at grocery stores.

Despite those efforts, complaints have continued. In May, the DMV reported the typical 15-day turnaround to receive IDs in the mail jumped to roughly six weeks. Goodwin blamed a third-party contractor for the lag.

In June, Goodwin testified before House lawmakers on wait times, unfilled positions and delays for new licenses. Goodwin told lawmakers the backlog was improving, but he has still faced pressure from lawmakers.

Goodwin has urged customers to check to see if they can complete their business online before making an appointment. Online services include ordering driver license and ID cards, address changes and voter registration applications.

The listing for Goodwin's job posts a salary as anywhere between $20,000 and $250,000 per year. State records show Goodwin makes $163,000 a year.

The DMV is part of Democratic Gov. Josh Stein's administration, under the Department of Transportation. Goodwin was named head of the DMV in 2022 by former Gov. Roy Cooper, taking over an agency that had struggled to serve people efficiently during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Stein has kept some of Cooper's political appointees to top government jobs since becoming governor, but he has also replaced several others, including leaders of cabinet agencies.

Earlier this month, after WRAL first reported that Goodwin's job was open to applicants, a Stein spokeswoman: "North Carolinians need and expect a DMV that is easy to access and use. The Stein Administration is committed to doing everything we can to make that happen."