I'm legal again. Legal to drive, that is. Barry was doing some tax work over the week-end and needed my license to complete a form. He handed it back saying simply, "it's expired". Yikes! I didn't recall receiving a notice about renewing. I immediately went to the DMV CA website and learned that the license renewal section would be down until noon this past Monday. My mother mentioned something about a grace period, so I continued to drive through the week-end and Monday. She's my mother---I just believed what she said. No matter she resides in another state! Anyhow, when I visited the DMV website once it was up and running, I learned I wasn't eligible for an on-line renewal. Was it because I was two plus weeks beyond the renewal date? IF I DID receive a renewal notice where in the hell did SOMEONE put it? I looked in the one place on the desk in the kitchen where I sometimes put documents until I can complete them when I have time. And there it was. Post-marked October 2018. Clearly, I was the culprit. Mea culpa.The notice was pretty clear: "RENEW ON OR BEFORE YOUR LICENSE EXPIRATION DATE. Your last two renewals have been by mail. This notice requires you to now renew at a DMV office". Ugh!
Now---about that grace period. California doesn't have one. Driving with an expired license in CA is illegal. One article I read called it a "wobbler" offense. It COULD be a misdemeanor with a fine of $1000 and up to 6 months in jail, OR it could be an infraction that could cost $250. ALL articles agreed on one thing. Do not drive with an expired license in CA. Ugh! I needed to take care of this ASAP.
I could not make an appointment at the DMV that would satisfy the ASAP requirement. So I showed up at the local DMV about 5 minutes after it opened today. Already, the line was spilling past the entrance into a hallway. After being directed to the appropriate line I stood with all the other license renewees who could choose to renew their regular "federal non-compliant" license OR obtain the REAL ID which will enable one to board a plane in the U.S. as of October 1, 2020. My renewal notice had prepared me for the REAL ID option so I had the required documents with me. (I thought). I submitted my SS#, a bank statement and my birth certificate to an officious, unfriendly young woman. "Are you married?", says she. Yes. " Do you have a marriage certificate to explain the name change?" Seriously?????? "You can just renew your license". Yeah. I'll be getting one that says "Federal Limits Apply". So...I'll be legal on the roads but no air travel for me after 10/2020 unless I visit my delightful DMV again.
I had intended to write this blog while waiting but turns out it's a little difficult to focus, type or even sit in the delightful DMV. I made it through the on-line application process on computer row. Then a kind and smiling young guy (really) assigned me my number, G066. Only 65 ahead of me. I took in the mass of humanity around me. Most were settled in plastic chairs surrounding 30-something work stations. Few customers spoke or even looked at one another. Few workers spoke to customers save the required questions. After two hours my number was called. I reported to Station 29 and was pleased to interact with an efficient, kind woman who treated me like, well...a customer! Same with the woman who took what I am pretty certain is an unflattering mug shot. Once my photo and fingerprints and signature were obtained I returned to Station 29 where I signed my temporary license. Success!
Some thoughts about the DMV. It's far better than being in a hospital. It beats worrying about the next seizure. It's a good place to practice patience and exchanging pleasantries. No one judged me for my stupidity and carelessness. I got my license. I'm legal. Thank you DMV. Ugh!
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