NASHVILLE (AP) - The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security says the average wait time at state driver services centers has decreased so far this year compared to last year.

Officials say the average wait time from Jan. 1 through June 30 at centers statewide, excluding reinstatement centers, fell from 34 minutes in 2012 to 31.5 minutes in 2013.

However, there was a slight increase from the first quarter of 2013 in which the average wait time was 30.5 minutes compared to the second quarter when the wait time averaged 32 minutes.

Commissioner Bill Gibbons attributed the hike in part to the increase in handgun carry permit applications, as well as the installation of new equipment.