Maddening new laws when you renew your driver's license

[Pam]

Well it's that time. My license will expire on Sept. 30th. I have seen friends and co-workers trying to scramble together all of the necessary forms of IDs so that they can get their licenses renewed and now it is my turn. Almost a month ago I went armed with what I thought was sufficient information/evidence proving that I am who I am, according to the paperwork they had sent me. They turned me away because my Marriage License was not the *official one from the state.* It had the state seal on it but was signed by the pastor who married us, so I was told it was the *church one.*

They gave me a phone number to call and find out how to get my official one. I was told that I had to mail two checks - one for $15.00 and one for $20.00. Can't even remember the reason now. Well, my bank statement just came and these checks are still outstanding. I just called the phone number again in Philadelphia where we had applied for our license. He said the check probably never came but he'd research it and get back to me. Why do these things happen? Why can't unimportant things get lost in the mail rather than something this important? Maybe the checks are just sitting on someone's desk somewhere waiting to be processed. *sigh* Anyone else have problems when it came time to renewing your license?

[Edwina's Secretary]

Holy cow! When we moved to California and I had to get a new license I did not have to go through that. It was about a year and a half ago. I had my Illinois driver's license and I think...something to show the new address. That was it.

Why on EARTH would your marriage license have anything to do with your driver's license???

Is this something new to do with Homeland Security?

When we were married we requested multiple copies of our marriage license - especially as we do not use the same last name. Just recently my husband's medical insurer was verifying coverage eligiblity and the marriage license was NOT acceptable as evidence of eligibility. I understand the point...you can get unmarried. We had to supply a copy of our last income tax return as proof.

[JenBKR]

Wow that's crazy! You're not going to believe this, but my license needed renewed right around the time I was getting married (this was in 2000) so when I went up to renew, I changed my name on the forms to my new married name. They didn't ask for any proof at all of my new name change.....and I wasn't even married yet! It was 2 days before my wedding. Looking back, it's actually kind of scary that they processed it without any proof that my name had changed. I just marked the little box that said I had a different name due to marriage. Maybe ES is right, maybe it has something to do with homeland security or something.

[Lizzie]

If it has to do with Homeland Security, I'm glad I don't have to renew for another three years since I'm a resident alien. Maybe they'll want the big chest x-ray I was forced to have in London 30 years ago before I emigrated, and told I had to carry on the plane only to have the INS wave it away when I arrived. I've been wondering if that thing would ever come in useful.

I renewed in Washington State a few years ago, and was several months late, but they simply processed it and I was in and out in 10 minutes.

[beeniesmom]

Wow that's crazy! You're not going to believe this, but my license needed renewed right around the time I was getting married (this was in 2000) so when I went up to renew, I changed my name on the forms to my new married name. They didn't ask for any proof at all of my new name change.....and I wasn't even married yet! It was 2 days before my wedding. Looking back, it's actually kind of scary that they processed it without any proof that my name had changed. I just marked the little box that said I had a different name due to marriage. Maybe ES is right, maybe it has something to do with homeland security or something.

The SAME thing happened to me, but it was the day before my wedding.

[RedHedd]

Oh yeah- going through it right now. My eyes are getting bad so two years ago when I renewed I had to get a DMV form signed by my eye doctor. I just received my new renewal and again it says I have to have a form signed - they give the form number, but do they provide the form? NO. Last time it took three appearances at the DMV and finally a driving test to get my license renewed. I have a sinking feeling I'll have to go through the same rigmarole again. Bureaucratic red tape and our tax dollars hard at work - NOT!

[Logan]

Gosh Pam, just last night, I heard a news report that NC is going to start renewing driver's licenses through the mail or online! I know that SC doesn't ask for that kind of information to renew, either. In fact, I think you just take your existing driver's license and your social security card in and they just do it. How strange!

Logan

[Lizzie]

Gosh Pam, just last night, I heard a news report that NC is going to start renewing driver's licenses through the mail or online! I know that SC doesn't ask for that kind of information to renew, either. In fact, I think you just take your existing driver's license and your social security card in and they just do it. How strange!

Logan

They've had that available in Washington State for a few years now, and it's great, but ours only last for one year when you do it through the mail.

Perhaps it is only state laws that are hindering Pam?

[Logan]

could be, Lizzie. The new NC law will renew them for 8 years!!!! I think we have a 10 year renewal in SC now, actually, but we still have to go to the DMV.

Logan

[CathyBogart]

I just had to renew my license - and they wouldn't let me renew it while I had a motorcycle permit!! So I lost my motorcycle permit.

[Pam]

I am totally amazed that no one else has to go through this! Yes, it is a Homeland Security-inspired thing. The thing that bothers me about this is that I went with the adequate number of *points* (see link below if interested) and was turned away because my Marriage License was not the official state one. I had LOTS of other info along (SS card, bank statement, photo driver's ID) which added up to six points but was told that since I had presented my Marriage License that became my *secondary* ID and the other items were not even considered after that. (I am imagining it is because my name on my birth certificate is different from my name on every other document I have and the marriage license would explain the reason for that). What a mess! This is just another endearing thing about NJ I guess, along with our ridiculously high property taxes, car insurance rates and the recent hike to a 7% sales tax. NJ - - ya gotta love it.

http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Licenses/HowToRenew.htm

[Edwina's Secretary]

7% sales tax???????....you could be here in the Land Beyond.......where it is...7.75%!!!!!

[Soapets]

I just renewed my driver's license in March. I have a CDL so I can drive our church bus sometimes. They had mailed me some paperwork to complete and bring along, stating that I meet all of the health requirements, etc. Otherwise all I needed was my old driver's license, a check for the renewal amount, and I had to take a vision test, and that was it. My license is good for another five years now. I think Nebraska's driver's license "testing" is a lot more lax than some other states.

Deb

[Pembroke_Corgi]

I got my Colorado license a few weeks after we moved here- *whew* it was a hassle!! I looked online before hand, so I knew since I was out of state I needed my Iowa license PLUS another "offcial" ID. Luckily I have my passport. But the waiting in line!

I went on a horribly hot day and ended up in line for over an hour. They snapped my photo really quickly and gave me a piece of paper as my temp. license! In Iowa, they give you your license right away; it felt terribly unofficial carrying around a slip of paper for a week and a half. Luckily I wasn't pulled over!

[lizbud]

It's not that complicated in Indiana, that is if you can find a time when the
new software implemented last Memorial day is up & running.Some days the
new system is down all day. It's been a real mess all over the state.My license is due for renewal in 2009. Maybe, just maybe it might be working by
then. Renewals are much easier if there are no changes in name,
address, etc are required.