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Glad that's over

3

37chief

Well-known Member
Location
California
Took my DMV written test for Class C Auto, and M1 Motorcycle licenses. I spent most of yesterday at one office . I got a number, and was told to sit in the back of the room. Problem was they were trying to fit 200 people in 100 chairs. My number had over 100 people ahead of me. After waiting 2 hours and only 30 people went through, I left. Today I arrived 1/2 hour before opening at another office, there was already a big line. I got in it. Problem today is the only day they open at 9:00 not 8:00. Nice 1 1/2 hr wait. Finally got in took both tests and passed. Good for another 5 years. I will be 81 then, may not even need a license anymore. Total time 4 1/2 hours. How are your offices for doing tests, and licenses? Here in California most people would rather go to the dentist, than the dreaded Department of Motor Vehicles. Stan
 
Renewed my license 3 weeks ago. Walked in and got a number. There was about 15 ahead of me.

I got in less than 30 minutes.

On line renewal helped a lot here in Iowa. 5 Years ago 30 to 40 were ahead of me.
 
I just renewed mine last year. I walked in and was one of four people. Took me less than ten minutes. I will never voluntary live some were with the number of people that CA and other places have. Being just another ANT in the ant farm would not work well for me.
 
I renewed in March. Good for 8 years. That takes me to 71. It wasn't too bad, except that I got the enhanced license, and they almost didn't want to believe I'm who I am.
 
I will agree with you. Problem with me I am stuck here for the duration. Things here were fine until the 70's, then people just started moving west. When one gets out of the towns it isn't too bad. Stan
 
In Maryland the MVA doesn't allow anyone else in after 4:00 PM, however they have to serve everyone inside before they can go home. The administration folks all come up front to help and there is no one on break. By 4:30 they are done. I go at 3:50 or so.
 
Im in Oregon and if I go into Salem ( the state capital ) go into the DMV at lunch time it my take 45 min to an hour go to any other location and your in and out in 20 min or less

I left California in '03 and havent looked back fees are way out of line. Tags in California were $450 for one year same truck in Oregon was $85 bucks for 2 years. I did just go up this year $115 I think. Drivers license good for 8 years here.
 
Ah yes, the California DMV. Any time I start getting nostalgic about southern California, I remind myself of the hours wasted in line at DMV, only to find that the person I'd talked to on my last visit gave me information that was entirely wrong.

Here in Michigan the Secretary of State office handles driver and vehicle licensing. Since SoS is an elected office, incumbents have some motivation to improve service. Until they're term-limited out of office, that is. Although the lines are long at SoS, you can make an appointment. Or you can sign in when you arrive, and if there's a long line you can leave and they'll text you when your turn is coming up.
 
Our local DMV is an hour away and we don't go to town that often. Sometimes there is a 10 or 15 minute wait, but often times we walk in and right up to the counter. No written test to renew; just snap a new photo.

What M-MAN was saying about skipping the photo if renewing online, I think it's that way here also. But we like going in, as the local shop is privately owned/operated small business and, with all the online stuff now, they sometimes struggle to stay afloat. If they go under, the next nearest office is 90 minutes away!
 
Take a picture and give them money(Mo will still take a check) Now a CDL with Haz Mat is a different ball game. Written test will take 15 min. if you know the answers,the finger print and Fed background check can take weeks.
 
Tennessee if you do not have CDL and do not want a new photo takes about 10 minutes to renew. CDL takes a new photo, new physical, and eye test but seldom more than 30 minutes.
 
Forgot to mention that I have CDL - no endorsements. I don't drive for a living, so am in and out with little more effort than a basic license.

If they ever change things and require a driving test for CDL, I'll be sunk. As it is, if I need it, I'll drive the way my body allows me (neck problems). I certainly won't be taking no 18-wheelers downtown and parallel parking them!

CDL opens up a whole new world of problems for many of you. I've read how you have to take the driving test in a semi even if you're just hauling a tractor or two behind your 1-ton pickup. That's simply insane!
 
I have to go to the DMV once a year to turn in my physical and have my license updated.

Every 4 years I have to go to one location and be fingerprinted for a back ground check. That cost about $85.
Then when the back ground check is complete I have to go in and take a written test; get a picture taken; and pay the license fee.

I have learned not to deal with the state DMV. I go to a contractor location and pay the added fee to get quicker service.
 
Renewed my CDL exactly one year ago. I got there right when they opened. (7:00 AM) They had a little glitch with their computers, so it took an extra five minutes. I left there at 7:15 with my updated license and there still wasn't another person waiting in line.
 
When I renewed my driver's license 10 years ago in Northern Virginia there weren't as many seats in the office but as many applicants and seemed like each one had brought the whole family. At that time you had to go to DMV for everything Add endorsement, renew tags, new drivers license etc. the staff were all Hispanics without good language skills. I decided I had to do something so went to a small office near the farm which was off the beaten track; maned by Americans with understandable English and very few applicants. THAT solved the problem! Remember DMV is a state office not county so it doesn't matter where you live in the state.
 
Never go to the DMV in Charlottesville or you'll be there forever to do everything but drivers licenses I go to the one in Madison usually in and out in about 5 minutes.
 
I went to our local DMV beginning of the month to renew the truck registration. I was shocked as I actually had to wait in a line. Still it was 20 minutes in waiting and out. Advantages of a rural county.
 
In Texas they moved it out to every 6 years and depending on several things, may just mail the new one to you. Texas does not limit you to which office you choose. The last time I had to go in, I went to a rural town where things were quiet, not a lot of new construction and lots of new people needing services....aka long lines. 2 people ahead of me. Was in and out in half an hour. Wink! Worked for me.
 

I renewed my CDL, last September, for another 6 years. I have several endorsements (I did drop the hazmat) and the motorcycle endorsement. Eye test, picture, and hand them some money and I was out the door in 15 minutes. That was at our county seat, population 4000, in Missouri.

I'm glad so many people live in California.
 
Probably 25 % white, the rest were Asian. At the first office, the next day probably 75 % Mexican, the rest White. Nothing against either race. That's just the way it is. Stan
 
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