Drivers license online

[ultrarunner]

The clerks were all pleasant and helpful and no one standing around... it was just the sheer mass of people that made it seem like out of a movie.

I can only imagine standing hours outside in the rain or 105 heat as the area has for weeks at a time.

Friday was not my choice... it was the first available appointment time made weeks in advance... it was also 4 DMV offices away... which is why I went along.

With an appointment... it was 30 minutes or so it was advertised... almost 3 yesterday.

It really must take a special person to work DMV and I mean this in a good way... dealing with 16 to 100 year olds... 50 different languages... all levels of competency... etc...

Just seems California with the 6 largest economy in the world can and should do better...

 

[teejk]

The clerks were all pleasant and helpful and no one standing around... it was just the sheer mass of people that made it seem like out of a movie.

I can only imagine standing hours outside in the rain or 105 heat as the area has for weeks at a time.

Friday was not my choice... it was the first available appointment time made weeks in advance... it was also 4 DMV offices away... which is why I went along.

With an appointment... it was 30 minutes or so it was advertised... almost 3 yesterday.

It really must take a special person to work DMV and I mean this in a good way... dealing with 16 to 100 year olds... 50 different languages... all levels of competency... etc...

Just seems California with the 6 largest economy in the world can and should do better...

They have endured their share of jokes in the past (largely deserved). Now with most routine matters being done on-line, they are dealing with the "problems" (reinstatements etc.) that take time and most likely will require more information than the person shows up with.

 

[flyerdan]

I was dreading having to make an appearance in person last month, but it was pretty much the exact opposite of what I was expecting. Not many people there at all (mid afternoon on a Thursday), had all my paperwork done in advance so the girl at the entry counter directed me to the express line, got there as the only other person in line was finishing up. Gave him my paperwork, looked into the eye test thing and ran my payment. Longest wait was for the girl at the photo section to come over and do the pic, less than 45 minutes block time.

 

[ultrarunner]

Sounds like Oregon has it together...

 

[flyerdan]

We make up for it in plenty of other ways, but DMV does let you do most stuff online. We did the enhanced license rigamarole back around 2008 and if I hadn't passed the age threshold for vision tests I could have renewed that online as well.

 

[ultrarunner]

It seems you only have the option every other time provided you have a good driving record and no problems with the Franchise Tax Board...

Of course those that are older must come in... wasn't always this way but it is now.

I remember my Grandmother at age 89 got a 5 year renewal license that appeared in her mail... she said they are cracked but who is she to complain? She passed away prior to the expiration date on that license.

The DMV use to have a Senior outreach program... I guess it has been gone about 20 years now... the tests were given at the senior centers quarterly... I asked if this service was still available and the reply was what century are we living in...

My step Grandfather was still working everyday well into his 80's... he was only able to get a restricted license but it let him get to work... license prohibited freeway and night driving... but it meant the world to him... and my grandmother who didn't have to drive and pick him up from the shop...

My next door neighbor who is a young 91 has had his California License since age 13... he lived in the middle of nowhere and was the only one in family to drive the produce from the farm into town... his father was laid up from a farming accident and his mother didn't have good enough vision... being the oldest it was on him...

Stories like this always fascinate me... at 18 he went to work driving a Union Oil Tanker truck... youngest driver... company policy said you needed to have 4 years driving experience and he met that easily.