INDIANAPOLIS — If Dee Dee Robbins has any business with the BMV, she goes to the branch at 1440 Madison Ave. on the near south side of Indianapolis.
"Renew my license. If I got to take a test, get plates, transition plates to a vehicle," Robbins said. "They've always been real nice. They remember people."
Even with the option to take care of much of those tasks online or at a kiosk, Robbins likes to take care of business in person. There's also the added benefit of the branch being close to her house.
"Online, they have open-ended questions, and you really can't say one thing or the other," Robbins said. "And at least you can go in and talk to a person and explain that to them so they understand."
Soon though, she may not have the option of coming to the Madison Avenue branch if the BMV decides to close it, like it's done with 10 other branches since 2020.
A BMV spokesperson said the proposed closure comes after a review showed since 2018, fewer in-person transactions were happening there, with some customers opting to take care of things online or at a kiosk.
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"I'm not going to lie: If I was able to get through the whole process online, I wouldn't be here today," Kayla Jacobshagen said.
Jacobshagen tried to renew her driver's license online but ran into a roadblock. She just moved and has a new address.
"It said you have to come find a branch near you," Jacobshagen said.
The Madison Avenue was the closest for Jacobshagen, but that could change if the branch closes its doors.
The BMV says if that happens, there's another branch just three miles away and three others within seven miles — all have kiosks and public hours Monday through Saturday.
Even knowing that, Robbins hopes the doors of the Madison Avenue branch stay open.
"I don't want these guys to close because then I got to drive a lot farther," Robbins said.
The BMV wants to hear from the public about this proposal to close the Madison Avenue branch.
It will be holding a public meeting in two weeks on Monday, June 17 at its 3919 Madison Ave. BMV branch. The meeting starts at 6 p.m.