The First of Two Trips to the DMV
Five years ago, it took two separate trips of three hours each to the DMV to get my VA driver’s license, and this year I was determined not to let them get the best of me. I blocked two hours off work during an off-peak afternoon at an off-peak time of the month. I arranged to have a car available to borrow. I checked online and saw that wait times were low. I brought six forms of identification and four proofs of residency. My visit lasted about 25 seconds and went something like this:
Security guard who opened the door for me: “What are you here for?”
Me: “Driver’s license renewal.”
Guard: “Not gonna happen. Come back tomorrow.”
Me: “Why not?”
Guard: “Computer system is down. Come back tomorrow.”
Me: “Do you think there’s any chance they’ll get it back online?”
Guard: “Hell no, it’s been down since 8:30 this morning!”
Me: “Don’t you think it would have been helpful to post that somewhere so–”
Guard [cutting me off]: “Come back tomorrow. Maybe you’ll have better luck then.” [starts a new conversation with another guard]
I’ve blocked off Wednesday morning for my second visit, and had to reschedule a dental appointment to find that time in my calendar. This time, I’ll probably have to rent a zipcar or take a bus to get there. And if it doesn’t work out, I’ll have a cool 48 hours left (counting my birthday) to renew before my license expires and I’m subject to retaking the driving exam or some other nonsense.
:(
Sarah wrote:
Chad! That’s awful; I can’t believe they didn’t post the reason for the low wait times online. :(
I hope it works out… But either way happy early birthday!
Posted on 29-Aug-10 at 5:41 pm | Permalink
Didi wrote:
Did you try doing it online? VA lets you renew your license online a couple of times, I think. I haven’t been to the DMV since I moved here almost 10 years ago.
Of course, I think their system is still down - at least that’s what it sounded like from the article in the Post yesterday. Not sure how that would affect the online forms and such.
Posted on 02-Sep-10 at 12:04 pm | Permalink
Toddy wrote:
It took me THREE visits to get my DC license last year myself. So DC isnt any better than VA. I think DMVs exist everywhere to make us appreciate ANYTHINF and ANYWHERE else-more.
Posted on 05-Sep-10 at 12:06 pm | Permalink
I Hate Virginia wrote:
Only two trips? Here’s my experience with the VA DMV:
After I moved to Virginia I attempted to switch my license and registration over from DC. I do not have a lease because I know my landlord personally. Since I do paperless banking and billing, and do not have a formal rental agreement, I could not provide a proof of address that the DMV found acceptable. After several failed trips to the DMV, I asked my bank to mail me my next bank statement. This was accepted by the DMV, but I was then told I needed my insurance company to send them a particular form.
After I had called my insurance company and had the form sent to the DMV, I returned only to learn that the DMV required an electronic title to be sent to them from the bank that issued my automobile loan. This request was made in spite of the fact that I brought my original DC title, with a letter from the bank stating that the loan had been paid off in full, to the DMV customer service center. At this point the bank should have had no involvement in transactions with the DMV, as the bank’s supervisor confirmed with me during a follow-up phone conversation. Furthermore, she explained that DC does not have electronic titles, so she could not fulfill the VA DMV’s request regardless of how nonsensical it was. Still, the DMV would not budge on this request.
Secondly, I was told by a DMV customer service representative that I could not register my vehicle in VA due to an unpaid parking ticket in Fairfax County. However, she was unable to provide any additional information on the ticket. I confirmed via the Fairfax County ticket payment website, as well as with two clerks at the Fairfax County Treasury Department, that no outstanding tickets existed for my license plate number. Furthermore, since I had never received a ticket in Fairfax County, I did not have an account with them. Fairfax County claimed that, for this reason, they could not provide a letter or phone call to the VA DMV to release my hold. Unsure of how to prove I did not have any unpaid tickets from Fairfax County, I made several fruitless attempts to discuss this situation with the DMV.
Because I am employed at a 9-5 job, it took some time to make all these phone calls and DMV visits. For every failed trip to the DMV I had to wait another week to try again, since I could only make it there on Saturdays. Personal and work-related travel further prevented me from being able to spend my Saturdays at the DMV. On two occasions the DMV’s computer system was down, and nothing could be accomplished at all. Eventually my DC car registration expired so I was unable to drive my vehicle, which made it even more difficult to get to the DMV.
Finally, concerned that I was getting nowhere, I emailed the DMV with my concerns and stated that I would be bringing the issue to court if it could not be resolved. This expedited my request and the holds were suddenly removed. I went to the DMV with the email and was finally– 3 months after starting the process– able to get my VA license and registration. I have NEVER had so much trouble with a DMV!
Posted on 07-Sep-10 at 4:50 pm | Permalink