The state of North Carolina is working to improve its Division of Motor Vehicles by partnering with Arizona.

Specifically, North Carolina is looking to improve long wait times and improve the ability to make an appointment at the DMV .

A Carinsurance.com survey found Arizona ranks as the fourth-best DMV in the U.S. The same survey ranked the NCDMV at No. 25.

North Carolina Department of Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins said he would rate the state’s DMV as “poor.”

Hopkins oversees the NCDMV. He is currently interviewing a replacement for outgoing NCDMV commissioner Wayne Goodwin. In February, after the state posted an opening for DMV commissioner, Goodwin said he will not reapply. His tenure -–Goodwin has led the DMV since 2022 – has been plagued by complaints about slow service.

Hopkins said the state had 40 applicants to replace Goodwin.

In an interview with WRAL 5 On Your Side , Hopkins described the type of person he’s looking for to be the next NCDMV commissioner.

“It’s somebody that’s led large organizations,” Hopkins said. “It’s somebody that’s done change management.”

Hopkins said a change in leadership won’t fix all of the NCDMV’s issues. The department has staffing shortages. Last month, Gov. Josh Stein’s budget proposed funding for more than 100 new positions.

In recent budget cycles, state lawmakers have denied requests for money to fund additional NCDMV staff and to upgrade its technology.

“I think the key is to have a plan that the legislature has confidence in,” Stein said.

As for upgraded technology, North Carolina is looking at Arizona’s DMV, which has streamlined its software. Currently, in North Carolina, various services are on separate aging computer systems.

Hopkins said some of the NCDMV technology is 30 years old.

NCDOT assistant director of communications for highways Aaron Moody said using Arizona’s software will fix “efficiencies internally” and improve “customer service, namely shorter lines and wait times.”

WRAL 5 On Your Side asked Hopkins whether the state would consider privatizing more of its DMV offices.

“We already outsource a lot of the DMV functions,” Hopkins said. “Most of our license plate agencies are privatized now. There are private operators that run those.

“All of our driver’s licenses are public. We have state employees that do those.”

Hopkins said he’s recently gone to the NCDMV with his two sons.

“[The] bottom line is there are a lot of things we’ve got to fix,” Hopkins said. “We have people waiting too long, people can’t get appointments, we just have a lot of issues on the driver’s license side, we have a lot of employees that are working hard, but they’re frustrated too.

“The systems aren’t keeping up, and it’s just frustrating to everybody. And, it’s just, it’s a high-pressure situation anyway.”

Hopkins compared going to the DMV to going to the dentist or going to buy a car.

“You kind of start off there with a little anxiety,” Hopkins said. “And then, when things don’t go like you want it to go, that makes it worse.”

Hopkins said he would like to choose a new DMV commissioner in the next few weeks.