In a year of firsts, a local teen is hitting a road block at the bank thanks to troubles at the DMV.
Josie Wheeler graduated high school in May. She’s already been accepted to Johnston Community College and wants to earn a little money before she starts in the fall. It’s why she got a job last month.
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“It’s definitely a learning experience because it’s my first job,” Wheeler said. “I love my co-workers. They’re very welcoming and they have been very patient with me.”
But Wheeler’s patience is wearing thin. She opened her first checking account because her job requires direct deposit. However, she doesn’t have a government issued ID. She used her college ID, which required she show her birth certificate and social security number, to open the account.
But her dad got a call from the bank Thursday.
“They’re giving them pressure that if we don’t have a state-issued ID, they’re going to have to close it,” Jody Wheeler said. “Unless we get it done by Tuesday of next week, they’re closing the account.”
Anyone who has lived in North Carolina over the last few years, knows how difficult it is to acquire a license or ID at the DMV. WRAL has extensively covered the delays and dysfunction at DMV locations across the state.
The Wheelers have been part of that mess.
Several times over the last year, father and daughter have gone to locations to try and get her license. One time, they forgot her driver’s log and were turned away. Another time, Jody Wheeler forgot a copy of their car insurance policy, so they were again turned away. Now, time and time again, they can’t find a reasonable appointment anywhere.
“The closest ones are like Greensboro, New Bern,” Jody Wheeler said. “The central part of the state, appointments are not available.”
The DMV encourages people to double and triple check the documents they need before heading to a location for their needs. But it’s all very frustrating for the Wheelers.
“I don’t think any other state has this problem,” Josie Wheeler said. “Genuinely.”
“It’s the state of the DMV right now,” Jody Wheeler said. “It should never have gotten in this shape. You’re talking about impacting young people’s lives.”
The Wheelers have been told any money in Josie’s bank account will be returned to her if the account is closed. However, she’s due to be paid next week, but her account could be closed by Tuesday.
“Where does it go?” Jody Wheeler said. “How does she get those funds?”
So the alarm clocks are set very early for Saturday morning for the Wheelers so they don’t have to answer those questions next week.
“We plan on getting gup and getting their around 4:00 a.m.,” Jody Wheeler said. “Nobody should have to go through that to get a driver’s license. It’s sad it’s come to this. It really is.”