About three months ago, I received at notice that I needed to renew my driver’s license. “No sweat,” says Hubs. “Just go on line – you can renew it there.”
I go online. Turns out since I renewed online the last time, I have to present myself in person this time. The notice then sits in my bag for two and a half months. With my birthday coming around next month, I finally force myself to go to a DMV office.
“No sweat,” says Hubs. “There’s a DMV office just ten minutes from here.”
So we drive over to the nearby DMV, stand in line and discover they don’t renew licenses there, only license plates, and they give me the address to the nearest DMV office that does. “No sweat,” says Hubs. “We’ll drive over this afternoon. You can pick up your passport so you can get the new REAL ID license you’ll need to board domestic flights after next May.”
We drive over to the recommended DMV office. There are fifty people waiting outside and we’re told there are fifty inside and there’s no possibility I can renew my license that day.
“No sweat,” says Hubs. “Go online and book an appointment.”
So when we get home, I go online. There are no appointments available at any DMV within a fifty mile radius. The following morning, appointments open up for October.
“No sweat,” says Hubs. “We’ll just go to the office in Hillsborough. I went there and it only took 45 minutes.”
I notice that walk-ins for license renews can only be done after noon and given the number of people we saw at the last office, we need to leave early in the morning to get in line. We leave really late because Hubs didn’t get home from work until 2 AM.
Arriving at the Hillsborough DMV, I notice about twenty people in line. It’s been pouring rain all morning and they are standing under an overhang behind a low brick wall trying not to get wet. “Is this the line for the walks-ins?” I ask.
“Yes, and it will be a long wait,” is the reply. I join the line.
At noon, about ten people from the line are allowed in, and a woman comes out and gives the rest of us each a sticky note with a number on it. Mine is 12. “What do I do now?” I ask the young man in front of me.
“Wait,” he says. “Then they will let you in and you can get a number to be served.”
“I already have a number.”
“This is another number generated by a QR code that you photograph when your number is called.”
I wait another hour and eventually get in to photograph the QR code and am told I have probably two hours before I will be notified by text message that I can enter the building.
“No sweat,” says Hubs. “I know a good place for barbecue not far from here. We can get something to eat.”
We do! Sitting in the car, since it is still raining cats and dogs, I have hot hush puppies for lunch while he downs a large cup of Brunswick stew. Then back to the DMV. We sit, we wait. Finally, around 2:30 PM, I get a notice to come in. I enter, I sit, I wait. Every few minutes, a loudspeaker comes on and jolts us all from our seats, announcing a number. I wait for mine to be called. An hour later, it still isn’t. Then a woman comes out from the inner sanctum and announces it. Seems the loudspeaker is no longer working.
AT LAST. I reach the inner sanctum. Processing begins but the computers are going in and out. So I sit and wait and wait. My picture gets taken – I look like a dork. I take an eye exam, which is impossible to read because the letters are blanked out on the right-hand side. Finally, everything is done and I get a slip of paper to use for my license in case the real one doesn’t get to me before my birthday.
“No sweat,” says Hubs, when I get in the car. It’s stopped raining. “Let’s go home and have a drink.”
Gosh they don’t make it easy to they?
Nope, unless you get to do it online!
You have one lovely patient husband, Noelle! What a palaver you had to go through.🙄🤔
He was very patient, no sweat. But all of his suggestions were a no-go!
As long as you didn’t sweat… Oh, yes, paperwork is getting easier and easier. It reminds me of Terry Gilliam’s Brazil, but I think that movie was quite understated, Noelle. 😉
Thank, Olga! No, I just got wet!
Your husband sounds a lot more patient than I would have been. Governmental bureaucracy, in any form, drives me nuts. Our DMV used to be the same way. Stand in line for an hour to find out you’re not in the right line. Go wait in another line for two hours. Fortunately, it’s much more efficient now.
Yes, he’s patient but I was not with his continual no sweat suggestions that didn’t pan out!
DMV is clearly seriously understaffed. They do need to see our smiling faces occasionally for updated photos and eye tests, but feels like hardly anywhere has enough staff to do it. Definitely requires working well in advance so you can do it by appointment. I was also shocked here in WA at how few of the places do the driving tests–my offspring had to take it when we moved here, as her license had expired more than a year before (long story, including too many moves and a failure to pay attention). We ended up driving rather a long way, but at least she passed on the first try–after a year of not driving!
I did feel very sad for the ladies working there – there are only three to renew licenses and also give driving tests. I smile and was very complimentary and understanding!
This story cracked me up. First of all men are famous for underplaying tragic circumstances. The “No Sweat ” approach is why some women have cracked molars and sore jaw muscles. Secondly I had to go in person this year and I felt your pain. I hope the drink made it all seem in the past.
Yes, the drink really help[ed. I don’t think women reading this got the part about no sweat and nothing worked! We both had espresso martinis when we got home! Hubs makes a killer one! Thanks for stopping by!
I certainly got it since I’ve been in that position many times. Espresso martinis sound so good.
Enough to DRIVE one mad. I have to renew my license this coming December. I think your tale serves as a reminder to get in early!
Make an appointment right now!!!
Oh I feel your pain, Noelle! I hate going to DMV. I had to renew my license in May and decided to get the REAL ID. I had all my papers but was rejected because I had the wrong marriage certificate – it was notarized by the pastor, but not by the county. Now I have to apply for the marriage certificate by mail to and pay by money order (checks not accepted!). No way to request a copy of the one I need online. Or I can go in-person where there is no parking. Argggh Your husband is a very patient man and a good cheerer-upper!
Government bureaucracy at its worst. I went through this with Social Security when I retired. You just have to grit your teeth and battle through! My husband thanks you for your support!
You have a very patient husband with a great attitude. Waiting in line at the DMV always seems to take up the whole day. You wait and then wait again, ugh. At least you’re done now for a few more years.
Yup, five years. But I bet I’ll have to go in again to have them check my vision because of my age. You can;t assume any interaction with governmental bureaucracy will be easy!
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Haha! No Sweats, eh?! 😀 Noelle, glad it all sorted for you but it takes the patience of a saint and the ability to navigate the system with ease and to drive a lot! Glad it is all sorted!
Thanks so much, Annika. My story got essentially repeated by some friends who also had to interact with the DMV. We are NOT alone!
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I wrote this tongue in cheek but yes , it’s difficult.
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Oh, Noelle, you deserved that drink! My VA license was finally ready to expire last month. I never got it changed, or my car registered when I moved to NM 5 years ago, because even the idea of going incapacitated me. I was so bad that my therapist offered to drive all the way down from the other end of the state to go with. Now I finally have the license and the car tag… And my car broke down. Figures. 🙃🙄. Big hugs.
Your story is even worse! I’d recommend a milk shake to celebrate getting the license and the tag, and another to ease the pain of the car break down!
I’m sorry you had such a dreadful time. But I think it’s shaken you up more than you thought… do you realise you’ve replied to at least three spam comments in here?
Yup, I’m getting the message! But getting that license was a big day!
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