csberry: (Default)
Cory Berry ([personal profile] csberry) wrote2011-06-27 04:41 pm

Cory's Guide to the DMV

I ended up renewing my license today. I had swung by the DMV a few times since my birthday last month only for there to be no parking spaces available or a crammed waiting room. After a few attempts like that, I made note that the office opened at 7am.

This morning, I was up early (for me) and decided to rush downtown. I arrived at the DMV at 7:35am, was given #24, and was told they'll start calling numbers at 8am. *sigh* At 8:10ish, they called out numbers 12-21. About an hour later, they called out 22-30. I got lucky and 22 and 23 were missing. Thanks to that, I had to wait for only a few minute in the line of chairs immediately next to the booths for pictures and such.

Lessons Learned:
1. No matter the time of day, the DMV believes its #1 priority is to ensure everyone waits.
2. Going in before 8am won't cut your wait time much, but you won't be crammed in the waiting area unless you want a seat right in front of the TV. I was never sandwiched between two of my fellow citizens (something I could never claim during my previous visits around lunch and later in the afternoon).
3. Despite all of the signs telling folks not to use cell phones. There is no enforcement of it whatsoever, so don't worry much about finding something to kill time with...unless you are worried your smartphone battery will run out during the 90 minutes or more you'll be there.

[identity profile] chris21718.livejournal.com 2011-06-28 02:18 am (UTC)(link)
When I've renewed mine, I've always gone during lunch and it's gone rather quickly at the courthouse. Have they changed where you get those renewed?

[identity profile] csberry.livejournal.com 2011-06-28 05:37 pm (UTC)(link)
I didn't know you could renew your DL at the courthouse. I know license plates can be done there, but hadn't seen that they do drivers licenses.