The reason: A change in the length of driver's license expiration terms, from six years to eight, starting in 2010. So along with all the regular renewals from this year, all the ones from two years ago are also added on.



"Two years ago we were doing 2,000 renewals a month; this year we're at 12,000 renewals a month - that is a tremendous increase in demand," admits Kajiwara.



According to the department's projections. it is going to get even worse before it gets better, with renewals expected to peak at more than 13,000 a month in October. But people don't have to wait in line.