trials and tribulations...

[sarahmichelef]

Everyone knows that going just setting foot in the DMV is enough to make any rational person's blood pressure go through the roof. On Tuesday, I finally got around to getting my car registration switched to New York and got my NY drivers' license. Yes, I tried to do two things at once at the DMV. Was I crazy? Quite possibly. But c'mon. It only took three and a half hours and one trip home and back to the office.

See, I had done my research. I (thought I) had all the forms I needed. I (thought I) had all the paperwork I needed. Upon arriving at the DMV however, I learned that all of my research had been WRONG (thanks to misleading and entirely absent information on the DMV website). I couldn't just trade my MA license for a NY one - I had to bring proof of age, "four points" of proof of name, and my social security card. Which it didn't say on the website. I had to fill out a form, which it didn't say on the website AND which the guy at the information desk failed to give me. Thankfully I write fast, so I was able to fill it out as the lady behind the desk processed my car registration.

So now it's all done, and I've gotten distracted writing a long, ranty post.

Comments

[fencerm2.livejournal.com]

When I moved down to NJ in April 2004, after learning my exile had been lifted and I could get car insurance, I went to the DMV all prepared for a two to three hour nightmare. Had all the necessary papers for the 6 point license, was all set to sit - brought my journal and a book to read.

So of course - I got my license, my new registration, AND my car inspected in less than an hour! I'm set for the usual nightmare, and it moves with surreal swiftness.

DMVs still such, though.

[g-m-s.livejournal.com]

When I got my NY license (ok, strike that, when I applied for my NY license, I am still waiting for it to arrive in the mail), it took a few weeks.

First, I had to get a replacement SS card. I had one once upon a time, but ever since middle school, I've been able to use my birth certificate/passport, so I never bothered to get a replacement.

So a trip downtown, wait at the SSA, apply, wait for card to arrive in the mail.

Then I went ot the DMV and found out that MN licenses aren't valid for trading in for a NY license because MN doesn't put the date of issue on the card.

So I write to MN to get a driving record, wait a few more weeks for record to arrive in the mail.

Then I finally could apply for my NY license. And they took my MN license. Not clipped the corner and gave it back to me, but stapled mt MN license to the application and TOOK IT!

And now I'm waiting for my new license to arrive in the mail.

Luckily, I haven't been carded for alcohol in the time that I've been carrying around this piece of cardboard without my picture on it.