State officials decide to move DMV headquarters from Raleigh to Rocky Mount

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WTVD) -- On Tuesday, the North Carolina Council of State decided to move the NC Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) headquarters from Raleigh to Rocky Mount.

Governor Roy Cooper said the council heard from those concerned about the move but said he agrees it's a necessary step.

Nearly 600 employees who work out of the site will have to relocate.

According to a recent survey, about half of the employees questioned said they would quit rather than move with the DMV.

N.C. Department of Transportation spokesman Jamie Kritzer said a move was mandated by the state legislature by the fall of 2020.

The earliest move-in date is July 1, 2020, and the latest is Oct. 1, 2020.

According to Steve Abbott with the North Carolina Department of Transportation, another registration office will be created so there are no service disruptions in Raleigh.

Officials said the Rocky Mount location was the lowest bid of the two most competitive locations.

The new location will be on Church Street; however, a lease agreement still needs to be drawn up and finances need to be acquired.