RivkahChaya:
Indiana streamlined the process a few years ago, making as much online as possible. Now, I never wait more than about 15 minutes, and the offices have climate control and comfortable chairs. Used to take hours, and you stood in lines in offices with no AC.
As another Hoosier I can confirm that - virtually no wait at the BMV these days, much more pleasant experience.
JohnT
May 19, 2016, 10:56am
42
Baker:
Anyone here ever have to deal with the Texas DMV? I had a friend who moved to Texas from Alaska, went to get a new license. She was told about the paperwork, the driver’s tests, and endless other things she would have to do to get a Texas license. She was surprised and asked why it was so complicated. The answer? “We don’t transfer driver’s licenses from foreign countries.”
Yep, the Texas DMV clerk was so stupid she wouldn’t believe Alaska was a US state. My friend asked for the office manager, and even SHE seemed doubtful, but when she saw my friend was going to stand firm the manager decided to let an ordinary license transfer go through so she herself didn’t get “hassled”.
Uh, yes, and, sorry, but I don’t believe your friend for a second.
Scougs
May 19, 2016, 11:59am
43
I love these differences we find out on the Dope.
In the UK you renew your licence every ten years. If you have a passport - and just about everyone in the UK does - you do it online, and they use your passport photo. Pay £14 fee by credit card online, new licence comes in the post. Job done.
krunen
May 19, 2016, 12:13pm
44
My Norwegian driving licence is valid until 2071, when I’ll be 100. As the police easily can check against the database, there’s no reason to require people to renew the physical card.
bump
May 19, 2016, 2:53pm
45
Baker:
Anyone here ever have to deal with the Texas DMV? I had a friend who moved to Texas from Alaska, went to get a new license. She was told about the paperwork, the driver’s tests, and endless other things she would have to do to get a Texas license. She was surprised and asked why it was so complicated. The answer? “We don’t transfer driver’s licenses from foreign countries.”
Yep, the Texas DMV clerk was so stupid she wouldn’t believe Alaska was a US state. My friend asked for the office manager, and even SHE seemed doubtful, but when she saw my friend was going to stand firm the manager decided to let an ordinary license transfer go through so she herself didn’t get “hassled”.
They don’t hire rocket scientists at the DMV/DPS.
But if you already have a Texas license, it’s pretty easy. You have to renew once every 6 years, but one of those can be online. So once every 12 years, you have to show up at the DMV, fill out a form, and get your picture taken. Last time I did it, I showed up early, thinking I’d have to wait in a big line, so I stood there for about 45 minutes before the place opened up. Then, about 10 minutes after the office opened, they directed those of us NOT needing driving tests to come get in a MUCH shorter line- maybe 2-3 people long, where we filled out the form, got our pictures taken, and were out of there quickly.
carrps
May 19, 2016, 6:17pm
46
Senegoid:
California DMV has improved on some of the most common procedures.
AAA can do some DMV procedures for you, but ISTM they can only do those procedures that the DMV has made easy anyway. :rolleyes:
Driver’s License: Good for 3 to 5 years (I think) depending on your driving record. Can be renewed by mail several times in a row before you have to go to a DMV office in person. So typically, you go in person once every 15 years or so. When renewing by mail, they send you the paperwork a good ten weeks in advance. When you send it all back in, they get it done and send you a new license very quickly.
Vehicle registration: This has to be done every year. But this, too, is usually done by mail, and again, they are very efficient about it.
BUT: Replacing a lost license: May God, Congress, and the United Nations help you!
ETA: And getting your first license: Sorry, no idea how that’s done now, having last done this myself in 1968.
You can pay your vehicle registration online, too. Easy Peasy.
As for the Texas anecdote, surveys have been done that show a surprisingly high percentage of Americans don’t believe New Mexico is a state, either.