Avoiding the DMV
Jan 5th, 2007 by What's Gotta Go
I just realized a few days ago that my driver’s license expired. My birthday was last month, but because it has been so many years since I received my license, I just flat out forgot it was expiring. Now I am driving to and from work without a valid license, which is something I really am not comfortable with. Not like having a license makes me a better driver – most certainly not the case with most people on the road in fact – but I do like being within the law if I can help it. Now that I realize this, though, it is the DMV system itself that is making it hard for me to take care of getting up-to-date.
Here’s my dilemma. First of all, the lines are always terrible, no matter when you go. Second, people working at the DMV have absolutely zero motivation to move the line at any reasonable speed (a subject planned for an upcoming rant). Faster just means they are doing more work. Finally, and this is a big one, I don’t have any way of getting over there other than driving myself. I have heard, and perhaps it is just a rumor, that if you show up with a expired license having driven yourself there, you will get a ticket. I can’t fault the logic of this, but now I am afraid to head over there on my own.
I hate putting other people out, so asking someone at work to take me is a pain. My wife has her hands more than full with kids and their respective schedules. And, of course, the DMV itself is open the bare minimum of governmental hours, so there is no chance of going before or after work. I wear my honestly on my face for all to see, so lying when I get there is out of the question as well. Just one of life’s little predicaments.
Driving is a privilege, and I view it that way, but it sure is a pain to get anything concerning a license taken care of these days.
Jeremy,
have you tried doing it online?
Ya, as with most things I try to do whatever I can online. Unfortunately because I am actually expired at this point I have to go in. My own fault – noone to blame but myself on that one.
Um, isn’t that kinda scarry that you can do it online. Suppose you lost both of your arms in an accident….who is to stop you from renewing your license?? Just a thought.
Jermey, funny you should mention your dilema. I was just at the DMV and it is amazing how empty the lines are at 2 o’clock in the afternoon! It was great, and my sister was with me so i could just run in really fast….wow, that almost never happens!
Jeremy – just make your donation to the appropriate political party in your state and you should be okay. At least that is how it works in the state of Chicago (actually it is the State of Illinois, but Chicago doesn’t really know that.)