An NC State basketball coach visited the DMV, finding humor in the madness
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- Coach Brandon Chambers spent over 8 hours at 4 DMV locations in 2 days.
- Chambers documented long waits and delays during a license update in Cary.
- He boosted morale by buying $57 worth of donuts for DMV staff and customers.
Trips to the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles have become synonymous for most residents with long lines, a lack of appointment availability and staffing shortages. That rings true even for N.C. State’s new basketball coaches.
Wolfpack men’s basketball assistant Brandon Chambers recently shared a series of humorous social media posts that summed up the experience of updating his drivers license that included multiple hours and four different locations on two separate days.
Chambers arrived at the Cary DMV location at 5:45 a.m. Tuesday, hoping to snag a walk-in spot. The line was already stretched around the building, with 27 people in front of him. Chambers got on the virtual waitlist but didn’t leave until nearly 2:15 p.m. — 8 ½ hours later.
During that time, Chambers chronicled his milestones. It took two hours for him to see the door and six hours to get inside the building.
At roughly 1 p.m., Chambers had Dunkin’ Donuts delivered for the other customers and DMV staff.
“Morale was low. Brought in reinforcements. Donuts turned the tide for the rest of the team and DMV workers,” Chambers tweeted. He splurged, according to a tweet, and spent $57 on the treats, which included some of the company’s specialty donuts.
“Hey coach, thanks for the donuts and for your patience,” a spokesperson for the North Carolina Department of Transportation wrote in a tweet on Wednesday morning. “We got a new coaching staff, too, earlier this year at DMV and are hoping to have things turned around and heading in the right direction by tournament time. #GoPack.”
His tweets gained attention from a wide audience, including fans of other schools and even the daughter of N.C. State offensive line coach Garrett Tujague. Savannah Tujague replied to one of Chambers’ with an apology to her father.
“I thought @Coach2J was being dramatic, [not gonna lie],” she wrote. “I stand corrected LOL.”
Chambers said he was unaware of the recent DMV audit and longtime challenges with the department. He simply was trying to provide levity and perspective during a stressful situation.
In another tweet, Chambers described one employee who helped a woman working a kiosk, handled the phone, set up an English Second Language driving test and greeted everyone who entered.
“The people here, it’s not their fault — the DMV workers,” he said in a TV interview, following the completion of his visit. “They’re doing the absolute best job that they can with the resources that they have.They were great. They were very helpful.”
Chambers’ visit was his second attempt at updating his license. He tried three different locations on July 31 but was unsuccessful. Some advised him to go to the Cary location, while others recommended he try one of the rural locations.
“For better or for worse, North Carolina is stuck with me for quite some time,” Chambers tweeted, “For the sole reason I am not putting myself through that again.”
NC politicians take on DMV issues
Long wait times and challenges scheduling appointments is not a unique experience for North Carolinians. New and longtime residents have faced challenges whether they attempted to schedule a visit or walked in. The significant processing delays come from a lack of staffing and ineffective structure.
An audit released on Monday states the DMV needs more autonomy and control over its budget, the News & Observer reported. In a 435-page report, State Auditor Dave Boliek recommended the DMV become a separate agency. It is currently part of the Department of Transportation. The report also includes specific suggestions for improving customer service, developing a plan for employee retention, determining the proper number of DMV employees and creating an online dashboard to track DMV performance and wait times.
“It’s just not acceptable for somebody to have to spend their entire day off going to a DMV. Can’t think of much worse,” House Speaker Destin Hall said. “It’s something we’ve got to get a hold on and figure out some comprehensive reforms and solve the issue. I mean, it just continues and it’s been that way for a long time, and we need to do what we can to fix it.”
North Carolina lawmakers recently approved Senate Bill 245, which reduced the number of times residents would need to renew their drivers license or identification card in person. It also eliminated a visit to the DMV for teenagers trying to obtain their full provisional license.
Lawmakers also approved Senate Bill 391 last month, which allows drivers an additional two years to renew their license. It went into effect immediately and lasts until 2027. Residents are still advised to update their license as quickly as possible, because the grace period only applies to driving in state.
Provisions in the budget mini bill includes 40 new full-time driver’s license examiner positions this year and another 21 jobs in the second year. It also funds new DMV offices in Brunswick County, Cabarrus County, Fuquay-Varina in Wake County and Garland in Sampson County.
“I’m a dog with a bone,” Boliek said. “We are going to continue to shine a light on the DMV and put this forward, front and center, on the front burner until it’s fixed.”
This story was originally published August 6, 2025 at 11:54 AM.
