Wait for it

COEUR d'ALENE — If you went to make an online appointment via QLess at the Coeur d'Alene Drivers Licensing Office on Friday, it's a long wait. The first available appointment is Aug. 28.

And if you want to take your chances by walking in the door at 451 N. Government Way, you better have a few hours.

Things aren't likely to improve anytime soon.

The Driver’s License Office in Coeur d’Alene will begin closing Fridays starting Aug. 18.

The closure will last "for the near future."

The Kootenai County Sheriff's Office said the closure is necessary due to a staffing shortage at that location. The Post Falls office will remain open its usual hours.

KCSO Capt. Andrew Deak said the Coeur d'Alene Driver's Licensing Office is authorized to have six drivers license examiner positions. It also has a supervisor who assists with customer transactions when not coordinating with the Idaho Transportation Department and other agencies, Deak wrote in an email to The Press.

The Coeur d'Alene office staffing is currently at three experienced DL examiners and one new trainee.

"The Cd'A Drivers Licensing Office is at 50% staffing until the newly hired fourth DL Examiner is fully trained," Deak wrote.

The Coeur d'Alene site should resume full operations, five days a week, when the training is completed, expected to be this fall.

Deak wrote the KCSO is recruiting for the additional vacant positions.

Drivers licensing examiner starting pay is from $16.26 to $19.32.

Interested persons can go to the Kootenai County website to apply and for employment information.

www.kcgov.us/356/Employment-Opportunities