THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Wednesday, October 30, 1996           TAG: 9610300398
SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B4   EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA 
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT 
                                            LENGTH:   25 lines

MANTEO'S CHESLEY MALL DMV OFFICE IS BRIEFLY CLOSED FOR TAGS, REGISTRATIONS

At least for now, Dare County residents will have to drive to Elizabeth City or Columbia to get their car tags and registration following the closure of the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicle's Manteo office in Island Pharmacy at Chesley Mall.

Department of Transportation spokeswoman Vicky Young said Tuesday that the office closed because of an illness in the family of the manager.

``What we know right now is that the office is temporarily closed,'' Young said. ``Until the office reopens, people will have to go to Elizabeth City or Columbia to get their tags and registration. We are sorry for the inconvenience, and will let the public know when the status of the office changes.''

The DMV operates its tag and registration office through independent contractors. The Elizabeth City office is at 1545 East North Road St. in Country Club Plaza. The Columbia office is at 103 West Main St. Dare County has an office onBudleigh Street in Manteo where driver licenses can be purchased. by CNB