DMV License Renewal Venting/Rant (Davis, Woodland: tax, to live, cost of)

[JGC97]

Originally Posted by marcopolo666

Folks - bring TWO pieces that show your legal residence (gas bill, phone bill, etc - the dmv website lists the admissible docs).

Why? Because that is what is req'd by federal law (the one this is supposed to deal with) and they recently figured out that THEY HAD BEEN DOING IT WRONG. So bring *two* docs that show your address and insist that they make not that you brought TWO, not one, so that you don't have to go back when it's time to renew.

Glad you mentioned that because I heard that same information on the news and did it. When I got to the window, I gave the guy my two docs and he said he only needed one. Either the news reports were wrong or the guy at the DMV was wrong. I don't know which but to be safe, bring two ... just in case.

[marcopolo666]

The point being that CA dmv is doing it wrong - they are only asking for one. If I had an appt in the future (I just did my RealID about 50 days ago, grrr) I'd bring two and insist that they photocopy and keep TWO proof of address in the file, so that *in five years* you don't have to go back to do it all over again - you can just say "nope, I brought two proof-of-residence last time, and the photocopies are in my file - go look in my file - I want to renew by mail".

[JGC97]

I get it. That would be the right thing to do. I think they're more focused on trying to fix the duplicate voter registration problem. By the time that's fixed and they need another proof of residency for me, I'll be dead and gone. Besides, I've learned not to question a government agency. Some are a little too tightly wound and take offense to a civilian telling them how to do their job. Trust me on that. I worked with people just like that. It's no fun.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by Ultrarunner

I have helped several of my retired friends navigate license renewals... even with an appointment it takes at least half a day door to door.

I just received my renewal 10 weeks out... there is not a single appointment in any of the 6 nearest offices until several weeks after my license expires... what kind a sham is this?

The head of the DMV said the backlog has been addressed by spending lots of money expanding services... my opinion is the taxpayers have been robbed...

Never seen anything like it... took a neighbor a few weeks ago and the line went around the building and down the street... Pleasanton Office...

Lifetime driving and never a ticket and now I am told the best I can do is plan to take a day off of work for finger print and picture?

I have many friends in other states with zero issues... and California is suppose to be the leader in technology... Horse Pucky

Fix the DMV and you will have my vote!

OP, I live in NM at the moment, where there's actually pretty good DMV service, in terms of wait time in the office (surprising, for a poor state, compared to CA), but when my license expired, I encountered the same thing as you; going online to make an appointment, I had to book 4-6 weeks out. Of course, this meant driving with an expired license for that time.

And then when I showed up for the appointment, the one clerk they had handling the appointment clients left for a break, just as my appointment time came up. Weird. When he came back, I had to jump in, because he was moving on to the appointment on the schedule that was set at his return-from-break time, not the next appointment on the list.

In a nutshell, anything can happen at DMV's. Don't expect a functional bureaucracy.

[marcopolo666]

functional bureaucracy - that's sorta like military intelligence.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by marcopolo666

functional bureaucracy - that's sorta like military intelligence.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by nobodysbusiness

I changed my name, so could not renew by mail. The appointments were past the renewal date, so I had to go into the office. I got there at 7:30 a.m., and there was already a line outside.

I finally left the office at 2:30 p.m., so for a simple procedure, I was there 7 hours.

P.S. In the "handicapped" line, the people were STANDING UP - FOR HOURS - one old man, who looked to be around 100, was staggering - reeling from side-to-side.

I am SURE that some diabetics have gone into shock by missing a meal.

I am SURE people have passed out.

I wonder if anyone has died yet?

lol. I carry emergency protein in my purse, to keep my blood sugar stable. You never know when there will be a long delay in your day, and you may not make it home by mealtime.

[2sleepy]

Originally Posted by Justin Scott

I understand the frustration, we just paid $578 after late fees for ONE vehicle. It was originally $404, but the DMV mailed it to the wrong address and claimed that it was our fault.

So you knew the fees were delinquent when you owed $404 and you didn't pay them? Weren't you aware that they would continue to go up after that unless you paid them?

[2sleepy]

I know that a lot of folks don't like Gavin Newsom but I'm glad that he's not going to ignore the DMV mess:

“By any metric, California DMV has been chronically mismanaged and failed in its fundamental mission to the state customers it serves and the state workers it employs,” Newsom said in a statement. “It’s time for a reinvention.”

Newsom said California Government Operations Agency Secretary Marybel Batjer will lead the “DMV Reinvention Strike Team” for six months. Among many responsibilities, Batjer will be tasked with offering recommendations for “new long-term leadership and reform at the DMV.”
https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics...224185760.html

[CA4Now]

Originally Posted by Ultrarunner

When it is said you need a Real ID to fly...

Updated info on the Real ID driver's license, which goes into effect next year:

https://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr...317-story.html