SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- The Georgia Department of Driver Services will close its Sandy Springs offices next month and reopen in a city just north of the Chattahoochee River.

The agency said Wednesday that it will be replacing its "outdated" licensing facility at 8610 Roswell Road in Sandy Springs with a new center at 11575 Maxwell Road in Alpharetta. This new building will open Tuesday, Sept. 19, and the last day of operations at the Sandy Springs center will be Saturday, Sept. 16. Residents should note there will be no behind-the-wheel skills tests administered during the initial week of operation, but these tests will resume Tuesday, Sept. 26, the department added (SIGN UP: Get Patch's Daily Newsletter and Real Time News Alerts. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app).

This relocation is made possible by an agreement between the Fulton County Commission and the state of Georgia, the agency added. "This is a great example of two governments coming together for the betterment of the community," said Department of Driver Services Commissioner Spencer R. Moore. "An extra benefit for our customers is that this location also is home to a Fulton County tag office. It will be an ultimate convenience for customers to handle both DDS and vehicle registration business during the same visit. This is a deluxe center that our driver examiners and customers will enjoy for many years to come."

About the Center Hours of operation: 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 7:30 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Provides full-service including license and identification card issuance, renewal, reinstatement, knowledge testing and road tests (appointment only).

Increased from 17 to 21 customer service counters.

12 touch-screen knowledge testing machines.

12 tech deck computers for customer applications and documentation.

Plenty of free parking.

Seating for more than 100. Customers are urged to visit the DDS website at dds.georgia.gov to check the required documents before visiting or to learn more information.