If this is too political just delete. I just spent five hours waiting at the DMV to renew my drivers license. I did what I could on line before going. I was told on line I had to go to the DMV to finish renewing my drivers license. I started at noon. I was finally called at 4:30. I was then told they closed testing at 4:30 and I would have to come back tomorrow. I understand that the employees don’t set up the system and there is no use being up set with them. They are just trying to do their job. Five hours just to be told I have to come back tomorrow? I understand that the employee doesn’t have any control over the system anymore than I do. I was polite, not wanting to vent on him. What have we come to ? A simple renewal of a driver license. Things are broken.
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California DMV
- Thread starter Nutfarmer
- Start date
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2016
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- 317
I recently purchased a old Triumph car from Alabama. Alabama does not issue titles on cars over 35 years old. I'd heard horror stories about how hard it can be, up to impossible to title such a car here in Florida, where we live. So, made a trip to the DMV. '1st trip' I was told no title, impossible, cannot be done. '2nd trip' different representive, listened to issue, went and checked, came back told me needed a old registration, bill of sale, and car VIN verified in person, or by a state representative. Cool! Got a deputy to come by, verify, and fill out the provided form. '3rd trip' Nope, no go. I was given a printed check list. One of the 1st highlighted items was "bring the signed title". I was told, oh, don't worry about that. But you have to 'have' proof of no lien against car. Hmm. AL DMV doesn't do that on cars that old, according to them, will have to be provided by seller. Called seller, he thought no, wrong. He lived in FL, now in AL with a car restore business, and does sell old cars to FL, so know a bit about the process. Shortly after speaking with him, he called back with a 3-way call to another DMV office who assured us that I had what I needed, but the title would have to be notarized, which it was not as I'd had the car about 1 month at this point. So, armed with what information I had (which, btw, is the information stated on the DMV web site that is needed to get a new title) I went back (4th trip)to my local DMV, saw a representative, paid my monies, and got a title. So, 4 trips, one telephone call. 2 trips and phone call, gave wrong information. Wasted time, about 100+ miles of driving total.
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2015
- Messages
- 427
Thanks for posting this. I got my CA licence renewal notice in the mail yesterday. So now at least I know what lies ahead. I hope to be able to contain frustration - like you did
It wasn't too long ago that the State poured $millions into the DMV. Wonder what they did with all of that money.
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2014
- Messages
- 10,555
I empathize, I've spent way too many hours of my life at the DMV... My strategy is: Go on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, never on a Monday or Friday. Avoid going near the end of the month as people rush to beat expirations. Go either an hour before they open or late morning, 10-11am. Choose an out of the way office, not near civic centers, etc. Always, have your paperwork in order, bring a pen and be extra courteous to the clerks.
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2014
- Messages
- 10,555
I think we can blame criminals for that level or bureaucracy. It is place because it used to be fairly easy for a vehicle to be stolen in one state and registered in another.
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2015
- Messages
- 10,083
Wisconsin used to be a nightmare with renewing drivers licenses or vehicle registration forty years ago. I can't remember waiting more than an hour or two though. Their waiting area would only seat a couple of dozen customers so most people would just leave when they saw the room was full.
Some years ago, they streamlined the service. They also opened up additional locations. Nowadays, virtually all services are available online. You need to go in for vision checks but other than that, in-person visits aren't required. They also changed the interval for the vision check to eight years.
When purchasing a vehicle from a registered dealer, the dealer takes care of the necessary paperwork and if you didn't transfer the plates from your old vehicle, new plates are mailed to you. My plates that were 24 years old had deteriorated to the point of being almost unreadable and last year, I ordered new plates online and received them in the mail a few days later.
Some years ago, they streamlined the service. They also opened up additional locations. Nowadays, virtually all services are available online. You need to go in for vision checks but other than that, in-person visits aren't required. They also changed the interval for the vision check to eight years.
When purchasing a vehicle from a registered dealer, the dealer takes care of the necessary paperwork and if you didn't transfer the plates from your old vehicle, new plates are mailed to you. My plates that were 24 years old had deteriorated to the point of being almost unreadable and last year, I ordered new plates online and received them in the mail a few days later.
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2014
- Messages
- 2,287
about a year ago I had to go in to get a DL renewed. Every other renewal has to be done in person in TX. Went online got the checklist and made an appointment. I expected the worst but was amazed when I was seen within minutes on my appointment time and was complete and on my way back home in 15 minutes. When we talk about the good old times, I don't think it applies to the DMV in Texas. (at least the part I live in)
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