It’s that time again – time to renew my driver’s
license. This year the U.S. has
something new called a Real I.D. It
takes the place of your driver’s license and is required if you want to fly any
airline within the U.S. You can still
get a regular license but it will not allow you to board planes and fly anywhere. Of course, there is much more paperwork involved
for the Real I.D. Since I had to renew
my license anyway, I wanted to get that type of license as we do occasionally book
flights within the states.
I knew the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) was a stickler for paperwork so over a month ago I studied up on all the requirements. Most of the paperwork required was fairly basic: two proofs of residency, Social Security card and birth certificate. However, if you ever had any change of name you have to show certified papers proving the name change. I have been married twice so I had to have a certified copy of both marriage licenses and a certified copy of my divorce decree from the first marriage. When I checked all my papers, I had everything I needed but for some reason my copy of my current marriage license was not certified. Well, Tom and I were married in this county so a few weeks ago I went to the county court house and obtained a certified copy. That was not too bad, and then I was ready to get my license.
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| Dept of Motor Vehicles |
I called my local DMV to try to set up an appointment and found they were closed for two weeks due to someone employed there having Covid. Great, that put me close to the expiration date of my license. Keep in mind the DMV was already behind since they had been closed for over two months during the lockdown. Today was the first day they were re-opened so I was there bright and early before they were even open. Guess what? About 45 other people were also there at that time. That made for quite a long (socially spaced) line wrapped around two buildings. I knew there would be a wait and I had to get my license. I waited over two hours outside in the hot sun and then another hour and a half inside when finally, they called my name.
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| People waiting in line |
Sorry this post is so long, but maybe it will help someone in this country that is trying to get their driver’s license. Many of you have asked me about how Tom is doing and I can happily tell you that he is doing very well. He starts Cardiac Rehab this Friday and will continue with that for 12 weeks. Thank you all again for your kind thoughts and messages!
Oh my goodness, Bonnie - that must have been such a disappointment after such a long wait. It would be very frustrating. Will you be charged for both the non-Real ID and the Real ID? Gah!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm glad to hear your husband is doing well! Thanks for letting us know. I bet you're both thankful that his procedure is now in the rear-view mirror and you can sail forward.
I just realized I mixed my metaphors there - first a car, then a boat ... ha ha
ReplyDeleteYes, I will be charged for both unfortunately. Luckily the deadline for the Real ID has been extended to Oct. 2021. Originally it was this October. I'll be waiting (I hope) for the pandemic to lighten up before I go back!
DeleteYou know actually some boats have rear-view mirrors! And yes, I am glad his procedure is behind us and I told him not to try for a third time!
I didn't know that about boats; that's my something new learned for today :)
DeleteIt's good there's an extension for the Real ID. We've had extensions here for our regular DMV renewals like permits and licenses. The Real ID sounds like an extra-important document!
I'm sorry this is such a cluster you know what. I got my real in March, just before my birthday expiration, just before they shut down for four months. I had my little stack of papers and it just went down like a greased clockwork orange. I hope yours goes as well next time.
ReplyDeleteThanks Joanne. I'm glad it went well for you. It mainly frustrated me so much because I had all I needed but someone 50 years ago forgot to stamp a file number on the certificate! It just goes to remind you every detail matters especially with the government!
DeleteFirst off...I'm so pleased to hear Tom is doing well...please pass on my best wishes to him, Bonnie. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for reminding me! I have to go through all the routine of renewing my license in November! Arrrrggghhhh!!!
What a lot of stressful rot you've had to go through re the marriage certificate etc. My anxiety-stress levels would be through the roof and beyond! Unnecessary b/s you've been put through!
Happy Birthday for Sunday, Bonnie...I hope you have a relaxing, peaceful day...you sure deserve one! Take good care...both of you. :)
I will tell Tom, thank you Lee! Good luck with renewing your license in November. It's one of those things that none of us like doing!
DeleteThank you for the birthday wishes. It seems like those dates are coming up faster each year, like it or not. You take care too Lee and love those two sweet cats for me!
I did Enhanced Drivers License last summer...I had to get a certified copy of our marriage license...all the paperwork you had to have was a real mess. It will get us into Canada if we wish to visit there if they ever open the borders! You are a real trooper standing in line that long! Good to hear that Tom is doing okay!
ReplyDeleteYou are correct - most borders are closed to us for now. They did extend the deadline for Real ID to Oct. 2021 but after that you can't even fly within the U.S. without one. It's nice to see you here Connie!
DeleteGood news about Tom!
ReplyDeleteThat is so annoying about your first marriage license. I dare say that, depending on the clerk handling your request, it would have been alright; after all, this was your FIRST marriage, and your current name is on the SECOND marriage certificate. Why your former name(s) would be of any interest in relation to your current driving license is beyond me.
I think you have to have a legal paperwork trail for any name changes from your birth certificate. It sure does get aggravating though especially since I went out of my way to get it all together and it still was not correct!
Delete"Jobsworth" is the word that comes to mind to describe the clerk. To accept it would have been more than their job is worth.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard that term but it makes sense! Thanks Tasker.
DeleteI am so thankful Tom is doing well. I am so sorry you had such a hard time at the DMV. It seems there is ALWAYS something to make that an unpleasant visit!!!
ReplyDeleteTom is doing much better I am grateful to say! And yes, the DMV is never any fun!
DeleteAs soon as I hear DMV my heart sinks. No good ever came of it. But at least you got you licence renewed. For now. I've had several friends try and fail to get the Real ID, and I suspect the clerks. One insisted that paper bills were all she would accept to prove address! They don't exist for most people since practically all bills are online transactions. Printouts of the bank statements were rejected as proof. But my friends are Indian which makes me very suspicious of how they were treated. The DMV is renowned for profiling.
ReplyDeleteI understand and agree with you! While I was there only about half of the people wanting to get their Real ID were able to actually get it. The rest were turned away with minor errors. It is a frustrating place! But yes, I do have a regular driver's license for now so I can legally drive.
DeleteUgh, always an adventure. I have my own motor vehicle issues to get solved, but I don't think that's going to happen for awhile. As for the whole Real ID... I'll get to that someday. In the meantime, I'll just have to use my passport as alternative ID. Who knew that someday we'd all have to carry our "papers."
ReplyDeleteAs long as you have an active passport you are okay. It does sometime feel like Big Brother, doesn't it?
DeleteWhen Georgia started doing this a few years back was when Mrs. RWP decided to stop driving completely. When I went to renew my license in 2017, they didn't want to accept the only copy of my birth certificate that I have ever had. I had a mini-fit and they relented and issued me a new license but said that next time I would need to have a different one. I paid extra for an 8-year license instead of a 4-year one, so I don't have to worry about it until 2025. By then I may have stopped driving as well or not even be living.
ReplyDeleteThe bureaucracy is not to be believed.
It's always a headache isn't it? Tom had trouble with his birth certificate and had to order a new one. They are very particular aren't they?!
DeleteI had been thinking about emailing you about Tom...so glad he is doing good.
ReplyDeleteI have not got our Real ID and not sure I will. I know we won't be traveling...Roger is ready to come home From daughters house after two nights and they are only an hour away.
Yes he is doing much better, thank you Rose.
DeleteWe do not travel much at all but I felt like we should have the Real ID in case of an emergency where we would have to travel to see family or maybe an out of state medical visit or something. If your family is all close you may not need one. It sounds like Roger is used to his own home and his own bed!
Great news on Tom.
ReplyDeleteSorry about that cock up at DMV. Guess that is why they always have the (armed) State Police on hand at ours. After that long a wait in the sun, I would be dangerous. :( Luckily I have had a current passport since the age of 2--so any travel needing an ID (not anytime soon) will be covered. Certainly won't go through that kind of rigamarole for a realID.
I was expecting it to be bad since they had been closed for two months with the shutdown and then another two weeks recently due to Covid cases in the office. I had to renew my driver's license whether I got the Real ID or not as it was about to expire so I had no choice. It seems like the DMV is always a mess in one way or another. Thanks for stopping by Mary!
DeleteGetting that new licence sounds like a nightmare. Perhaps they suspect you might be an illegal immigrant from Nicaragua or Mexico and just last month you scaled The Great Half Wall of Trump. Good to hear Tom is still on track to better health.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a known nightmare to go through the DMV. It is much worse since 9-11 but I guess for good reason. You never know YP - I may be a dangerous person!
DeleteDid you cut your profile picture from an F.B.I. "Wanted" poster?
DeleteGood news about Tom! I'm so happy for you both.
ReplyDeleteAs to the DMV....I always expect it to be a nightmare. The last time I got my license renewed I didn't even have half the paperwork I needed to get a real ID version. Oh well. I doubt I'll be flying anywhere in the foreseeable future anyway.
I am so grateful that he is doing better and he started cardiac rehab today too.
ReplyDeleteYes, the DMV does not make things easy, do they? I saw many people try for the Real ID and not get it. I had every paper necessary but one was missing a number!