Fun At The DMV

[roadking77]

My dr license has come up for renewal. I have a CDL so I first need to get my medical card updated. Our state (MD) dmv is still by appt. only. Dr. visit Monday, they fax the info to the state, dr lic. renew Tuesday. I had an 3:15 appt. time. I got there around 3, got my ticket, as soon as I sat down got called to the kiosk. Within 10 minutes I was back on the road. Done before my time to even be there. Kudos to them for moving along quickly. I hope they never get rid of appointment only.

[kentucky yeti]

Our state is moving to  new license system.  I'm not sure how it works yet, but I did get a notice in the mail that I can renew for either 4 or 6 years now, and can do it by mail.  I'll see how it works when I have to renew my license (not CDL).

[roadking77]

Mine is good for 6 years. Although I need to do my physical card every 2 years. They took the pic and filled everything out than they gave me a piece of paper that is my temp. license. The real one will be mailed to me.

[pancho400cid]

Glad to hear it went smooth.  I was pleasantly surprised last time I went through it as well.  What a nightmare it used to be.

[roadking77]

I am the person that likes to give credit when due. For years going to the DMV has been akin to getting teeth pulled. It seemed like no matter how prepared I was and how many documents I had in hand I always had to go back for a second trip. And this was after at least an hour wait. The system they have now is so streamlined that it if they offered coffee and donuts it would be an enjoyable trip!

[5th T/A]

In Illinois going to the DMV used to be much like you described, everyone was short tempered and rude. Today they go out of their way to be pleasant and respectful, nothing wrong with that.

Also in Illinois provided you have had no tickets you can renew by mail. This last January I wanted to get the upgraded to a Real ID on my license. I had to show up in person, bring my passport, SS card, birth certificate and current utility bills. The whole thing took an hour, but I think some of it was because the backlog of being closed for months due to COVID.

[Jack]

Here in MA all transactions are by appt only and some can be done on-line. But yesterday my wife went to the DMV to register a car (after I made an appt last week), and unfortunately it was a bad experience as usual... The issue was that they charged us tax based on the book value of the car and not the purchase price (which is only allowed if purchased from a dealer). The purchase price included a trade in but they still charged us tax based on the book value and claimed that the dealers number did not match the address. The dealer recently changed addresses but that is no excess for them to ignore the fact that the car was purchased from a dealer.   

[roadking77]

That stinks Jack, hope it worked out for you.

Many years ago when I tested for my commercial dr. lic. (pre cdl) I took the road test in a 10 wheel lumber truck. I was testing for a class B (anything but tractor/trailer) license. They printed my license and I put it in my wallet without looking at it. My brother was testing as well and was behind me. I went to the truck to wait for him and decided to look at my license. The DMV made a mistake and stamped class A (tractor/trailer) instead. I went back in to inform them of their mistake, they pulled me up on the computer, he shook his head and said 'oh well, you have a class A now'.

[Jack]

The reason for the DMV visit.

[Jack]

I got that for my daughter as a late graduation gift (college). She was driving a 2001 CRV that was not the best car for New England driving.

Will need to do it all over again this week as my son got another off road vehicle that he has been wanting for a while. I'll keep it a suprise until we get it home.

[roadking77]

Nice present, you are a very generous father.

[kentucky yeti]

Sweet ride!  I bet she is excited!

[Jack]

Yesterday I registered a car that my son got and happy to report that the entire visit lasted 10 minutes. I made an appointment at a different DMV, arrived 5 minutes early and left 10 minutes after. Will post pics of the car when we pick it up (now that we have the tags).

[Jack]

Registered and picked up.

[Jack]

A better view.