Mobile driver’s license unit brings services directly to Jackson County residents

Throughout the day, citizens were able to renew or replace their Mississippi driver’s licenses, apply for a new license, or obtain a state identification card.

Standard licensing fees applied, and visitors were reminded to bring the proper documentation needed to complete their transactions.

Patrick Brandle, Captain of Field Services with the Pascagoula Police Department, said the department hopes to continue offering the service on a regular basis. “We’re gonna try and do this once a month. We’ve done it four times so far. Trying to bring the opportunity for people to get their driver license/ID cards, make it more convenient for them. Make life a little easier so they can go on about their business, keep everything legal and straight. Also, brings our community together. We’re able to show that we’re not just here to police but we’re also here to be part of the solution, not part of the problem, and we always give 110% to our community here in Pascagoula.”

Events like this help reduce travel time and make state services more accessible, giving residents an opportunity to keep their licenses and IDs up to date.

Brandle said the initiative began through a partnership with the WIN Job Center and was designed to help residents overcome barriers to employment.

“The very first time that we made this available with the partnership of the WIN Job Center, one of the issues the WIN Job Center says is people need to have a driver’s license or a state-issued ID card and a Social Security card in order to get a job. We’re always trying to lift people up, so we said, ‘What can we do to help encourage that?’ So, the first time was to help people get their driver’s licenses or Mississippi ID cards to help seek employment or help handle getting your license in between lunch breaks and stuff like that. We had a really good turnout the first time and then it just grew from there. So far today, we probably had 35 to 40 people come out and get their driver’s licenses or ID cards today, which is amazing, and I expect that number will keep growing.”

The mobile driver’s license unit provides another convenient option for residents looking to take care of their licensing needs without making an additional trip to a driver’s license office.

Officials say the program continues to grow in popularity as more residents take advantage of the opportunity to access state services closer to home.