California DMV

[RandyM]

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.

You can also reserve your appointment times online. I did the last time and it was quite exhilarating to be escorted through the walk-ins. I was in and out in 15 min.

 

[markba633csi]

I just renewed my license- it was exhausting, but then I'm partly disabled. Fortunately they allow disabled folks to skip some of the line.
I did request a paper written test- it was easier for me than trying to use the electronic pads which are in booths so you have to stand up.
Too tiring. With the paper test they let you sit down at the geezer table LOL

I did pass but they don't tell you which ones you missed or even give the graded test back-I know I missed the one about passing on a hill:
The correct answer is 1/3 of a mile distance ahead to pass safely- I think I put 1/2 mile- as if you can estimate that while driving? Right

 

[ddillman]

Just renewed my by mail. We also have some private companies that you can do it through. You have to pay a fee but is so much easier than the state run.

 

[NCjeeper]

My mom just turned 85 last month and her license expired on her Birthday. Of course, it can't be renewed online because of the real ID law that went into effect. So, in order for her to renew and prove who she is, she needs a copy of her Birth certificate, A copy of her marriage license, her original Social Security card, and bills showing her residence. There is no way for her to round all that up. She has no computer, uses a flip phone (because a smart phone is way too hard for her to operate) and has trouble getting around. So she has decided to stop driving. Thanks a lot Government regulations.

 

[Aaron_W]

Thankfully I am able to do most everything online. I had to renew my DL in person because of Real ID. I had to do it during covid measures, but was able to get an early morning appointment so it was only about as bad as having my wisdom teeth out. I'm sure it doesn't hurt that I am in a small mostly rural county so not a bazillion people.

Really sad thing is in the late 90s CA made a real effort to improve the DMV, even at a city DMV I could usually be in an out in an hour or less.

In 2008 during the economic downturn the DMV budget was slashed. Where I lived at the time our little DMV had 3 employees on each day, and was super efficient. With the cuts in 2008, they were down to 1, and the easiest process took a couple hours.

That was 16 years ago but DMV never has recovered.

 

[projectnut]

Just after turning 18, I got a job with REA Express (formerly Railroad Express). I was told I needed to go to the DMV to get a Chauffer's license (precursor to the CDL). I was told I needed to bring the vehicle I would be driving for a road test, so I took the 5-ton REA truck. I waited 4 hours before my number came up for a road test.

When the examiner saw what I was driving he said they don't do road tests in trucks, so I had to go back and get a car. I took the truck back to the depot and brought back my car. After another hour wait the examiner came out and said he needed to inspect the vehicle before I took the road test. During the inspection he found a burnt-out taillight and said I couldn't use that car for the test. I took the car to a friend's service station and borrowed his car for the test. I waited another hour for the examiner. He made the inspection on this car and passed it.

By now it was 5:00 pm and quitting time. At first, he told me I'd need to return the following day. After a slight delay he asked my age. When I said 18, he asked how long I'd had a driver's license. When I replied 1 1/2 years, he responded that I didn't need to take a road test if it was less than 2 years since I'd gotten my license.

I spent the entire day at the DMV or getting vehicles to take a road test and it wasn't even necessary. He signed the paperwork and issued a chauffer's license on the spot. I kept the license for over 20 years and was grandfathered into a CDL. I gave up the CDL several years ago having not used it in years and no longer willing to pay the annual fee and go through an annual physical.

 

[MrWhoopee]

We found that going to small towns, the service is vastly improved!

^^^THIS^^^

We live 45 miles from Redding, the DMV there is always extremely busy. Most of my business can be conducted online or at the local AAA office, but if I need to go to the DMV office I make the drive to Fall River Mills, about 65 miles. It's a very small office with about 3 employees and rarely more than that many people waiting. It's a very pretty drive and we can get Chinese food in Burney while over that way.

Back in the day, you would go into the DMV with a situation like the OP and the answer would be nope, no way, you can't do that. At some point they made it a "kinder, gentler" DMV. Now the answer is "Yes, that will be $$$."

 

[hotrats]

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.

While stolen vehicles probably do factor in to the equation, the requirement to have the VIN verified, and a form supporting signed by a law enforcement officer allows the vin to be checked as to being stolen. According to the information prominently posted on the county/state DMV web page on what is required to apply for a title from a out of state purchase, I had all information. My beef was that there were three employees that wanted extra, unrequired, information or documents, or having a document notarised that according to their own information, you did not need to do. The fact that one of the employees was the 'boss' was especially frustrating as they "should" know the rules. I ended up getting the title, with the info listed on the web site, having none of the extra info I was told I would have to have. The 'cut&paste' is from the dmv site

 

[Gaffer]

I renewed mine last month. Fortunately, I didn't have to take the written test. I opted for Real ID, uploaded the documents, and did everything I could online. I made the appointment online, and the process went smoothly - a first for me at the DMV. There were two lines out front, one for appointments and the other for walkups. They had an employee stationed at the front of each line to ensure everyone had what they needed. It worked well, as several of the people in front of me weren't prepared, and had to step aside to fill out forms or whatever. I'm sorry yours went so badly.

 

[benmychree]

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.

My wife and I called ahead and made an appointment for DL renewal, had to wait a while, take a number& written test and eye test, I passed she did no, had to retake written and eye test, got new glasses, and note from eye doctor ---- Sure it took up part of our morning, but what else did we have to do in our late 70s? It was a quite crowded office, with even people waiting outside. The appointment is the trick to save your time.