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Technology improving my way of life: renewing a driver's license

  • Artículo

Yesterday was my birthday. (pause momentarily for rampant 'wahoos'. Done? OK, back to the program). I procrastinated and my driver's license has now expired. I've been dreading the DMV trip... last time I went more than 5 years ago, I thought I'd be smart and get there a few minutes before they opened, and there was already a line.

So I've been pushing it off, waiting for a day when I don't have any meetings (ha!) so I can handle any huge delays. But then this morning, it occurred to me to check the website, and look what I found: https://fortress.wa.gov/dol/ddl/lobbywaittime/LobbyWait.asp

Wait TimesAs of 07/07/2004at9:12 AM
Renewal Licensing: 0 hour(s) and 11 min(s)
First Time Licensing: 0 hour(s) and 3 min(s)
Wait times can change between the time you access the information and the time you reach the LSO

HOW COOL IS THAT?? OK, I'm easily excitable. Too bad I have a meeting in an hour (plus, I'd need to get David to drive me down there, a task I know he's looking forward to! :-)

[Update 7/9: It was all a horrible lie. The site said 0 minutes at 8:15 (it showed unrecorded before 8:15 so I assume it didn't start measuring until then), so I went there and arrived at 8:35, to stand in a line that was all the way outside the door and wrapped around the corner. Once I got up to the desk to get my number around 9:00, it was just a few minutes after that to get the license, so overall it wasn't too bad. My number was 007, and the guy behind the counter asked me if my last name was Bond. I stared at him blankly for a minute - I just wasn't expecting humor... in the DMV? That just ain't right. When I left, there wasn't a line at all. Lesson learned: Don't arrive early to 'beat the crowd', because the crowd often has the same idea.]

Comments

  • Anonymous
    July 07, 2004
    Many happy returns for yesterday!
  • Anonymous
    July 07, 2004
    Here in VA, we can renew our licenses online. Just go to the DMV website, type in your info, and they'll mail you a new license. It takes only a few days to get it. Pretty sweet!

  • Anonymous
    July 07, 2004
    The comment has been removed
  • Anonymous
    July 07, 2004
    Just don't wait too long. After 30 days, you might have to take the test over again. Glad it's not a military ID. The day after it expires, they look and say that card's expired, this isn't you anymore.
  • Anonymous
    July 07, 2004
    The comment has been removed
  • Anonymous
    July 09, 2004
    I think that I had the same guy at the DMV. He asked which state I was coming from. I responded, "California." He responded, "Nope. We're all full here. Try again next year."
  • Anonymous
    July 09, 2004
    The comment has been removed
  • Anonymous
    July 10, 2004
    Feliz Cumpleaños !! ;)

    Here in Spain, we have to renew it every ten years and once we are over 60 or 65, we renew it every year !

    Have a nice day.

    Benjamin Mateos.