I just had a pleasant visit to the DMV!

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The main Oakland branch - the Department of Motor Vehicles for our overseas friends.

Normally, it's a fucking hellish nightmare, and I didn't have an appointment. I was there to register a new motorcycle, and was there right when it opened.

I was ushered to a window, and breathlessly began explaining, "See, I know my proof of insurance doesn't have the VIN#, but I..." And the woman calmly, quietly said: "Don't worry, you don't need that anyway..."

The whole visit took less than ten minutes, the fees were modest, and everyone was civil and professional. What's going on with bureaucrats these days?

― andy --, Thursday, 28 April 2005 15:35 (twenty-one years ago)

I've met three people off trains recently. All arrived the exact scheduled minute!

― mark grout (mark grout), Thursday, 28 April 2005 15:39 (twenty-one years ago)

I live down the street from the SF DMV and I've always had more trouble with the people in line than the bureaucrats there.

― M. White (Miguelito), Thursday, 28 April 2005 15:39 (twenty-one years ago)

You live by the Panhandle? That little guitar shop sucks.

― andy --, Thursday, 28 April 2005 15:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Farther than that, andy.

― M. White (Miguelito), Thursday, 28 April 2005 15:56 (twenty-one years ago)

My civil service working mom gave me a good DMV tip: go on a Friday afternoon and you'll be amazed how quick you'll be in and out. They can't leave until you do, so it's super speedy. I got there at 2:45 and was out by 3:30.

― Candicissima (candicissima), Thursday, 28 April 2005 16:55 (twenty-one years ago)

My trip to the DMV to get my license last month was similarly stellar.

― roxymuzak (roxymuzak), Thursday, 28 April 2005 16:56 (twenty-one years ago)

I had an appointment Monday morning at 10:20, got there at 9:30 and was out by 9:45.

― luna (luna.c), Thursday, 28 April 2005 16:57 (twenty-one years ago)

HAS THE WORLD GONE MAD?

― luna (luna.c), Thursday, 28 April 2005 16:58 (twenty-one years ago)

I didn't have to use my muthafuckin' AK today.

― donut debonair (donut), Thursday, 28 April 2005 17:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Apparently the one out by the Oakland Coliseum is horrific, no better than a Mogadishu customs office.. but I can't say from experience.

― andy --, Thursday, 28 April 2005 17:12 (twenty-one years ago)

The RMV in Pittsfield MA just transferred my out-of-state, expired license with no problem. I had come prepared for Patty and Selma--only one person behind the counter and she was totally nice. I had phoned ahead though to see what documents I'd need to bring. Cost me $90 but was hassle-free! And the photo doesn't suck.

― sgs (sgs), Thursday, 28 April 2005 19:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Washington state DOLs >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> any California DMV

― donut debonair (donut), Thursday, 28 April 2005 19:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Then again, any state's DOL/DMV >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> any California DMV

― donut debonair (donut), Thursday, 28 April 2005 19:33 (twenty-one years ago)

I JUST SAW A WOMAN AND SHE WASN'T SHOPPIN'.

― n/a (Nick A.), Thursday, 28 April 2005 19:34 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't know why the fuck all states' DMVs don't do the appointment thing. Must CA lead the way in everything??
Even without an appointment, I was in n out within 30-45 mins when I renewed my license last year. God bless digital photography.

― ()ops (()()ps), Thursday, 28 April 2005 19:35 (twenty-one years ago)

The appt. thing didn't work for me, though. Because the tranfer of title must take place within 10 days of the sale, and the appointments they offer are always like weeks away.

A little Cali secret though: I don't know if other states are like this, but you can do most DMV stuff in a AAA office - no wait, no crying kids, no bitter civil servants. Just potted palms and Outside magazine.

I don't have AAA though because they couldn't give a shit about motorcyclists.

― andy --, Thursday, 28 April 2005 19:38 (twenty-one years ago)

It took me 20 minutes to get my license in WA state without an appointment. I think AAA WA offers the same services too, but most people don't use them because it just takes 20 minutes to get/renew a license in WA state without an appointment.

― donut debonair (donut), Thursday, 28 April 2005 19:42 (twenty-one years ago)

Meanwhile, It took California about three years to stop sending me reminders to fill out an ownership turnover form even though the car was non-functional and had since been crushed by a wrecking company and returned to Japan on a cargo boat well before the fact.

― donut debonair (donut), Thursday, 28 April 2005 19:44 (twenty-one years ago)

I do all of my DMV stuff through the mail. The only time I ever have to go to the actual office is when I renew my driver's license.

― Pleasant Plains /// (Pleasant Plains ///), Thursday, 28 April 2005 19:44 (twenty-one years ago)

I HAD ONE TOO - CA
needed my dmv record, no appointment, got in line, got to the window in less than 30 seconds, they gave me a number, I walked to the waiting area to sit down, as my ass touched the seat they called my number, showed the lady my license, got the record.
took 3 minutes tops. Any other process wouldve taken longer obv. but I thought it was hell no matter what, allocated like 3 hours for this, etc. They must have us well-trained, if we're applauding them having half-decent service.

― tremendoid (tremendoid), Thursday, 28 April 2005 20:20 (twenty-one years ago)

one year passes...

Nice older woman teased me about the long hair in my license picture, waited 5 minutes, then similarly nice older woman and I discussed [i]In Cold Blood[/] while she gave me my vision test.

'Twas a DREEM, and now I don't have to get that "The red 'UNDER 21' box is on your license AND you look like a twelve-year-old" look from bouncers.

― en i see kay, Thursday, 1 March 2007 16:09 (nineteen years ago)

OH, and it's in a food court, which I normally hate, but the DMV being next to a Sbarro's is simply too much fun.

― en i see kay, Thursday, 1 March 2007 16:15 (nineteen years ago)

There was a seeecret DMV in Boise's courthouse with total 5-minute service for anything.

The only problem was the courthouse was crazy w/security guards, bag checks, metal detectors et. al. I left my brass knuckles at home but they made me take the hairsticks out of my hair. They got rid of them, too. Weapons! Weapons and ruined hair. Thank god I was not getting a DL photo.

― Abbott, Thursday, 1 March 2007 17:19 (nineteen years ago)

one year passes...

I am at the dmv
They are never going to call my number are they

― bell_labs, Monday, 18 August 2008 18:03 (seventeen years ago)

four years pass...

everyone was very nice and efficient today! someone was even going around to people waiting in line and helping them fill out forms before they got to the counter. the lady who took my picture had the same birthday as me. i was kind of sorry to leave.

― difficult listening hour, Friday, 7 December 2012 00:13 (thirteen years ago)

of course i look like a psychopath in my new license picture. "but one of the charming ones," my housemate said. "like ted bundy."

― difficult listening hour, Friday, 7 December 2012 00:14 (thirteen years ago)

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