Avoiding congestion at the DMV

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In Friday’s column, I recount a visit to the Rancho Cucamonga DMV, the one that opened a year ago. Have you been? Kind of snazzy, for a DMV, and my experience was pleasant. Yours might be too, if you make an appointment instead of merely showing up.

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  • Joey Catuara

    My experience was quite similar to yours, with one exception. 59 days later, I realized that my temporary license was about to expire, and I hadn’t received my new permanent license. So I was forced to stand with those other Mensa candidates, and 2 hours later was informed “they apparently never submitted my information”. So – another eye test, finger print and photo. Then, as you experienced, my license did arrive within 2 weeks. Lesson learned – don’t wait 59 days if you haven’t received your license (give yourself a week to be able to make an appointment). And I guess you don’t need to be a Mensa candidate to work for the DMV either.

    • davidallen909

      Well, Mensa can’t take everyone…

  • Ramona

    I couldn’t believe my eyes as I saw your column this morning. I, too, have received the dreaded summons from DMV to renew my license. I, too, went to the old moldy office to renew last time. I, too, went online at secured an appointment for next Tuesday at 9:20 AM. Is there some logic in scheduling appointments every 20 minutes?
    Reading of your experience has let me know what to expect and I will read the piece once more before I go. Thanks for the stress reduction.

    Does this mean our universes are aligned?

    • davidallen909

      I’d rather my universe was aligned with yours than with some people! You’ll have to let us know if your experience goes as smoothly as mine did.

      • Ramona

        Firstly, thank you, I think!

        Secondly, I’m back from the DMV and it went just as you described. I know that ’cause I took your column with me and checked off the events as they took place. My version of a security blanket.

        In line at the Appointments window at 9:10AM. Thru and waiting for my number to be called and on to window 5. Eye test – aced it. The woman was so cheerful I told her that old, old, really old joke about the police officer telling a woman she was supposed to be wearing glasses. She replied, “But officer, I have contacts.” He said, “I don’t care who you know, you hafta wear your glasses.” I wear contacts so it seemed appropriate to do so when she asked if I was wearing them.
        On to the photo counter where the woman was so delightful I gave her the copy of your column which she promised to show to her supervisor and then post if the break room. I hope you don’t mind.
        On to the written test. Aced it! I had taken the practice tests and the tutorial at the DMV website.
        That woman was less than cheerful and at one point stomped off on her 4-inch platforms. When she came back she called my name, handed me a bundle of papers, said, “Its only an interim license.” and turned away. I walked around the corner to try to figure out if I could go now. I did.
        Thanks to you, it was not bad at all. Took just under 1 hour.

        • Ramona

          As a follow-up I should let everyone know that my license arrived in the mail yesterday!! Six working days after my visit to DMV!

          I’m stunned by the efficiency of the entire experience.

          Bonus: The photo is not that bad.

          • davidallen909

            Glad to hear it went so well, and so fast! Also, that you like your photo.

            Of course I don’t mind your passing my column along, although if it turns out nobody at the DMV had seen it, despite thousands of copies circulating freely in the community, that would be a sad state of affairs.

  • Andy Sze

    David, you don’t look 170 at all!

    • Andy Sze

      have a story about how your article ended up in Iowa… will write as soon as I get back

    • davidallen909

      Nice of you to say, Andy. And actually, I rounded down by 3 or 4 pounds, depending on the day.