Probably to try to keep illegals from getting license.Go online and make appointment for DL.
Be dang sure to bring a birth certificate, they are even required for a renewal now and it can’t be a copy.
My wife went through this last week, we had a heads up from a friend on bringing the Birth certificate, sheese, she has had a dl for 40 years.
Sure enough they were turning people away if they did not have one, and making them get another appointment.
They scan the bc into the system, good ole big brother.
Also if you will be in a big city the line is shorter at small outlying communitites.