# DMV Experiences **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 15, 2012, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dmv-experiences/625274 "2012-06-15T19:27:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2012, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dmv-experiences/625274/41 "2012-06-18T16:27:27Z")
> [@LouisB](#): > > The first time I lived in Florida, back in 1966, I had to wait to get a Florida license because the guy ahead of me couldn’t read and was entitled to a verbal exam. That memory always saddens me for some reason. The guy passed, though. Do we suppose someone from the DMV rides around with him, reading the signage out loud? ---
**Author:** ![whitetho](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whitetho/32/1059_2.png) [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2012, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dmv-experiences/625274/42 "2012-06-18T17:44:48Z")
After my move to North Carolina, I got my initial licence and first renewal at a large office in Raleigh. Big and somewhat bureaucratic, but pretty well organized and took about 90 minutes each time. The next renewal was at a small office in Cary, which had a special line for renewals, and I was out in about 1/2 hour. For the latest renewal the Cary office moved to a new location that was even more convenient because it was now within walking distance. But the experience was a nightmare – no more separate renewal line, and organized with Soviet-era efficiency. Took about 3 hours waiting on cramped, uncomfortable chairs. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2012, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dmv-experiences/625274/43 "2012-06-18T17:55:53Z")
Is there an appreciable difference between the DMV and Secretary of State offices, besides what they’re called? Because I grew up in Indiana (with the DMV) and now live in Illinois (with the SoS). Other than who the checks are made out to, I can’t tell the difference. ---
**Author:** ![Encinitas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Encinitas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Encinitas)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2012, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dmv-experiences/625274/44 "2012-06-18T17:58:03Z")
Back in the day, the California DMV instituted the (telephone) appointment system, which made everything much easier. Except…the appointment line was always busy. So I drove down to the DMV and made an appointment at the info desk to come back later. It was easier than being on hold for 45 minutes (or more). ---
**Author:** ![congodwarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2012, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dmv-experiences/625274/45 "2012-06-18T18:44:44Z")
My first trip to the DMV with me as a driver (trips with my mom don’t count) was surreal only because the lady taking my paperwork so that she could determine which line I had to stand in, asked me in all seriousness, “I see you were born in Northampton. Are you a lesbian?” First of all, there are a shitload of people who live in Northampton who aren’t lesbians (and no, I’m not just talking about the men). Second of all, I was born there. I lived there for about a day and a half while in the hospital. That was it. They don’t implant lesbian chips in all newborns (that I’m aware of). I just blew it off as a complete moron encounter and continued on my way. Even with my visit to moron-land, I was in and out in 10 minutes and this was in the only DMV in Worcester, before they started getting efficient. Since then, I’ve either used small branches or made sure to arrive just before they open so my encounters have been painless. The DMV in my town is right across the street from my job but I don’t know what it’s like in there because I don’t go to the DMV any more. I do everything online now. ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2012, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dmv-experiences/625274/46 "2012-06-18T18:53:57Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > I was in the DMV years ago, and the guy in front of me was trying to talk the clerk into changing his birth date so he could use his license to drink. “Come on, just hook me up! I’ll slip you a twenty.” Ooh, she coulda been rich! > > Maybe he should have flashed her one of his boobs. Sounds like he **was** a boob. ---
**Author:** ![Caffeine.addict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@Caffeine.addict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caffeine.addict)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2012, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dmv-experiences/625274/47 "2012-06-19T01:32:58Z")
> [@Fiddle\_Peghead](#): > > I went to the Washington, D.C. DMV a few years ago out in the NE section of the city. I had to get a new driver’s license. The place was clean, orderly, and well-run. I got there midday and had to wait around 45 minutes. The clerk who waited on me was polite and efficient, and I was out of the place in around 10 minutes after first walking up to her station. > > What the hell is wrong with D.C? No trannys, nipples, or smells and odors. They’ve got to get their act together down there. They’re giving DMVs across the country a bad name! I got my license in DC a few years ago at the now closed downtown DMV. It went fine, but I was amused that the DMV was downtown and so there was only street parking available. It made sense to take public transportation to get there. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2012, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dmv-experiences/625274/48 "2012-06-19T02:16:07Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > … she didn’t notice it right away… !!! You’re right. The hardest thing to believe here is that she wasn’t keeping tabs on 'em and didn’t notice. How…I mean…yikes! ---
**Author:** ![StuffLikeThatThere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc8723/32.png) [@StuffLikeThatThere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StuffLikeThatThere)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2012, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dmv-experiences/625274/49 "2012-06-19T02:44:13Z")
> [@lizlizliz](#): > > I saw a group of Amish people at my DMV once, which was a very confusing experience. Many Amish contractors in our area own huge crew cab trucks for their work crews and employ an English guy on the crew and have him drive. (Some can’t do this; it all depends on your bishop.) Believe it or not, they could be registering their vehicles. And then there are Beachy Amish that drive cars instead of buggies, but to the untrained eye look just like more conservative Amish folks. I go to a small town DMV. It is blessedly boring. Even with the Amish. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dmv-experiences/625274.md?page=2)