ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- A local transgender woman is pushing for changes at area DMVs.

Regina Allen was denied a request to change her gender on her driver's license at the Patton Avenue DMV in Asheville on Wednesday.

She said when she presented her paperwork, the clerk at the DMV said they do not meet qualifications.

The qualification, according to an N.C. DMV spokesperson, is a court order or physician's statement verifying gender reassignment surgery has been completed.

However, Regina has documentation. She read some of the letter from her doctor presented at the DMV.

"This patient has received appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition to the new gender of female. It is appropriate for the gender marker on her permanent identification to be changed to female," read Regina.

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The letter doesn't confirm or dispute gender reassignment surgery.

"He just kept saying 'the law is the law' or 'we can't change the law' he said," according to Regina.

LGBT activist Allison Scott said the DMV shouldn't require surgery. "It's none of their business what people do with their bodies," she said.

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Regina agreed. "I wanted to change it because of who I am. I am Regina Allen. I am female," she said.

Scott said, in the past, some transgender people have used letters like Regina's to change the gender on their license. She's confused as to why similar letters are not accepted now.

However, the N.C. DMV insists the law requiring proof of surgery has been on the books for years.