With the state budget dripping in red ink the Department of Motor Vehicles is one agency being singled out for possible cuts.

That means several DMV offices across the state are being considered for closure including the one in Eunice.

And as you might imagine law makers and local residents are less than pleased.

The prospect of the Department of Motor Vehicles closing its Eunice location is no laughing matter to citizens or lawmakers in the area.

State Representative Mickey Guillory says his contacts informed him thirteen locations are being eyed for possible closure to help trim the state's budget.

"Only thing I can do is ask them to reconsider, based on the fact that it will inconvenience people here in Eunice" says Guillory

If the Eunice DMV closes, the closest three options are Opelousas, Crowley, or Ville Platte.

The Ville Platte location is 18 miles from Eunice, the Crowley location is 20 miles from Eunice, and it's a 22 mile drive to the Opelousas DMV. So it's understandable why residents want to keep the Eunice office open.

Even the police department would be affected by the closure. Any time they confiscate plates for traffic violations, which can be several times a day, they have 24 hours to turn them into the department of public safety. A longer drive, means more officers out of office, and more money spent.

"It's just going to be more of an expense for our department, and more of an inconvenience for our department" says Chief Gary Fontenot.

Lawmakers also plan to use the argument that not much money would be saved by closing the Eunice DMV. We're told the city gives them office space, and pays the rent and utilities in the building.

Jason Newton.