DMV Nightmares. My Story From Today... What's Yours?

CallMeKate

CallMeKate

Well-known Member
Location
Mid-Atlantic US
I'll bet most of us have DMV nightmare stories and I've probably been lucky to go this long without a story to tell. (y) But luck ran out this morning.

Needed a photo for the first time in 8 years... 4 years ago, they used the previous due to the pandemic. So today I was first in line... yay... this'll be fast! But two very elderly people didn't think they needed to wait their turn to start with their questions... holding everyone else up.

First up... Fiesty "little ol' lady":
"My sister said I needed to come in here."
"Ma'am, your ID doesn't expire for 2 years yet."
"But I need a new one, my sister said so!"
"Perhaps you mean Real ID? We don't do those at this facility."
"No, just my regular ID!"
"This doesn't expire for 2 years, Ma'am."
Screaming now: "Well, lady, *I* might expire before 2 years are up!"
Finally wound down and apologized to what had become a whole roomful of people by then.

Second up... Elderly man who hasn't had a license for years but needs to drive his tractor now, so wants a license. (Couldn't make this stuff up!)
He actually did have his camera card with a whole stack of other documents... in the meantime, I'm still waiting to get my license... at least pic had been taken.
"Sir, you'll need to press 1 if you want to be an organ donor."
"What?" (x 3 whats)
Finally he knew what she was saying and the response was "Hell, no, I came here for a license, not to give my d*mn heart away! :ROFLMAO:

Bottom line, what should have taken 10 minutes being first in line took 50. :rolleyes:
 

Years ago in New York City (actually Manhattan), I was in line at the post office. I was 8th or 9th in line. Suddenly an elderly woman starts passing everyone in line. She said, "Excuse me. I'm elderly.". She said it to everyone she passed. No one complained since they didn't want to be the first one to complain. She then went to the front of the line, and went to the next available clerk. She must have thought that being old gave her a free pass to cut in line.

I wonder what would happen if I tried that at Walmart?
 
My eight year renewal came due this spring.

No, I don’t want nor need a Real ID.

i step over to the foto both and keep getting rejected. I ask a 20-something to help me and I still get rejected.

Someone lumbers around from behind the DMV counter and says “take your glasses off. I say ”glasses required” has been on my licence since I was 16. He curtly says “TAKE your glasses off”. I take them off and it still rejects me ——- turns out the d-a-m-n foto machine doesn’t recognize me without my glasses, yet won’t accept a foto with glasses thanks to this Real ID business that I don’t want.

I had to go sit back down, until someone was free to take my foto the old fashioned way.

Two hours later, I was out of the DMV with one of the ugliest photo licenses I have ever had. These “nice” people wouldn’t let me take it over again, but they did smile and say “see you in eight years”. I am 77 and I replied, “if I have my way, Yes. You. Will.” And to myself I added “You Snotty Beatch.”
 
Imogene said:
Two hours later, I was out of the DMV with one of the ugliest photo licenses I have ever had. These “nice” people wouldn’t let me take it over again, but they did smile and say “see you in eight years”. I am 77 and I replied, “if I have my way, Yes. You. Will.” And to myself I added “You Snotty Beatch.”
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Oh my goodness, @Imogene ... that really *was* a nightmare story! My pic was awful, too... I just gritted my teeth and said "yes, that's fine" when asked. It's like super close up now... my last pic from 4 / 8 years ago was much further back/smaller... gonna hide that sucker until 2029 and hope I never have to identify myself with it. 😁
 
I had to Google DMV.
The UK driving licences are a credit card size affair with the driver's photo. Close to where I live is a check point, it's a place with a weighbridge used mainly for checking heavy goods vehicles. They are also checked for their driving hours. Occasionally the police use the place for spot checks and me, and my little old MG got pulled in.
"Do you have your driver's licence with you Sir?" The police officer said, very politely. "Of course," I replied. Now years ago, long before computer technology and smart-ass gimickery was ever heard of, here in the UK we had small, passport style, drivers licences. I never throw anything away. It was childish, I know, but I offered that licence for the police officer's perusal.
Going Green 002.JPG
He was so young that he had never even heard of these licences, let alone seen one. Then he saw my speeding conviction and fine of seven pounds and ten shillings. He got his phone out and asked if he could photograph it. He didn't even bother asking for my, current licence.
 
I have kept all of my drivers licenses and I still have my written test from when I was 16🤠🤠

I got stopped 8 or so months back for doing 70 MPH in a 55 zone on a 4-lane state highway. The officer checked my license, then he proceeded to ask me about my Saturn Sport Coupe. I replied I bought it new in 2002 for retirement and it wasn’t for sale. He told me to slow down and let me go🫣🫣
 
Imogene said:
My eight year renewal came due this spring.

No, I don’t want nor need a Real ID.

i step over to the foto both and keep getting rejected. I ask a 20-something to help me and I still get rejected.

Someone lumbers around from behind the DMV counter and says “take your glasses off. I say ”glasses required” has been on my licence since I was 16. He curtly says “TAKE your glasses off”. I take them off and it still rejects me ——- turns out the d-a-m-n foto machine doesn’t recognize me without my glasses, yet won’t accept a foto with glasses thanks to this Real ID business that I don’t want.
Click to expand...
Nothing to do with Real ID... I have friends who have their glasses on in their photo.

from the site: you're allowed to wear glasses in a Real ID photo if you wear them for driving, or if you have a prescription for them.

Sounds like yours were reflecting too much glare which is why there was a problem taking your photo.
 
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Imogene said:
I have kept all of my drivers licenses and I still have my written test from when I was 16🤠🤠

I got stopped 8 or so months back for doing 70 MPH in a 55 zone on a 4-lane state highway. The officer checked my license, then he proceeded to ask me about my Saturn Sport Coupe. I replied I bought it new in 2002 for retirement and it wasn’t for sale. He told me to slow down and let me go🫣🫣
Click to expand...
Two over three door?
 
My daughter turned 16 on Veterans Day when the branch was closed, so she had to wait ONE DAY (HORRORS!) to get her license.

We breezed through and she loved her picture. On the way out to the car, I asked to look at her license and then had to give her the bad news that it said she was a male.

Back into the office to get it straightened out, but they had to take another picture and she hated that one. Too bad....so sad...you're stuck with it. She pouted all the way home.
 
The place makes me a nervous wreck. Bad spirit there. It is definitely a nightmare for me too, and for what? To get a lousy looking picture you have to show to people you don't know. Doesn't even look like me.
 
CallMeKate said:
I'll bet most of us have DMV nightmare stories and I've probably been lucky to go this long without a story to tell. (y) But luck ran out this morning.

Needed a photo for the first time in 8 years... 4 years ago, they used the previous due to the pandemic. So today I was first in line... yay... this'll be fast! But two very elderly people didn't think they needed to wait their turn to start with their questions... holding everyone else up.

First up... Fiesty "little ol' lady":
"My sister said I needed to come in here."
"Ma'am, your ID doesn't expire for 2 years yet."
"But I need a new one, my sister said so!"
"Perhaps you mean Real ID? We don't do those at this facility."
"No, just my regular ID!"
"This doesn't expire for 2 years, Ma'am."
Screaming now: "Well, lady, *I* might expire before 2 years are up!"
Finally wound down and apologized to what had become a whole roomful of people by then.

Second up... Elderly man who hasn't had a license for years but needs to drive his tractor now, so wants a license. (Couldn't make this stuff up!)
He actually did have his camera card with a whole stack of other documents... in the meantime, I'm still waiting to get my license... at least pic had been taken.
"Sir, you'll need to press 1 if you want to be an organ donor."
"What?" (x 3 whats)
Finally he knew what she was saying and the response was "Hell, no, I came here for a license, not to give my d*mn heart away! :ROFLMAO:

Bottom line, what should have taken 10 minutes being first in line took 50. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
I've been watching episodes of Doc Martin (on Dvd). This sounds like something right out of that show. LOL
 
Judycat said:
The place makes me a nervous wreck. Bad spirit there. It is definitely a nightmare for me too, and for what? To get a lousy looking picture you have to show to people you don't know. Doesn't even look like me.
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That sums it up nicely... yep. It's like they had the cam set on "zoom-in close up" yesterday... never saw anything like it. :oops:
 
There's no joy at the DMV. It's always an ordeal. The people who work there don't seem to like their jobs. As far as photos go, most of us end up looking like escaped mental patients. 🤪
 
The DMV is one of the places you go and expect to be a bit of an ordeal, but its not the DMVs fault, its the people that go there that bog things down. I've never had a problem with the staff, they are always trying to be efficient, the problems are always caused by the people that don't have correct documents, or are confused by the process and ask question after question.
 
I haven't had a bad experience with the DMV for many years. I was there for another matter in January and the clerk noticed that my driver's license would expire in about six weeks. Asked if I'd like to have it renewed. It only took few minutes and saved me a return trip. Very nice people.

Fortunately, I was born without the "vanity gene" so I don't fret over ID photos. :D
 
C50 said:
The DMV is one of the places you go and expect to be a bit of an ordeal, but its not the DMVs fault, its the people that go there that bog things down. I've never had a problem with the staff, they are always trying to be efficient, the problems are always caused by the people that don't have correct documents, or are confused by the process and ask question after question.
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This is so true in dealing with most any agency it often is portrayed as the staff....... when in fact it is the people ( customers) coming in without the proper paperwork and a seemingly inability to follow basic rules or any common sense.

I am amused by this REAL ID fiasco...... this has been a can kicked down the road for years. I remember the previous deadlines and I was not worked up about it and dealt with it when I needed to. Now they want to flood a DMV with something they could have done for years.

I went with someone getting a passport recently the instructions are crystal clear....... yet every person there seemed to not be able to follow them it was astounding to me.
You can make an appointment .... some made a 1 person appointment yet thought seriously they could have family of 6 and a neighbor also use the appointment..... A lady made one and showed up 40 minutes late was mad she had to wait as she had an appointment.... they called her name like 10 times at her appointment time that she chose. evidently she did not understand the concept of an appointment time you need to be there.

It was crystal clear the method of payment for fees yet some thought "oh i do not have a check so you can make an exception for me."

this is what took up 3/4 time at the place if i worked at a place like that i could see becoming snarky or short with people.
 

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