I made an appointment for 10:00. The place was packed. It seems that they give everyone a 10:00 appointment. I was told to sign in and wait. I wanted to take some pictures, but they would not allow me. However, I got this picture online; it's a Florida DMV license renewal office.
After 30 minutes, they called my name and looked at my birth certificate (to verify that I'm a naturalized citizen), took my current driver's license, and checked my voter's registration card (to verify residence). I was asked to look into a machine and read a line of letters. Then, I was told to wait some more. No road rules test. Just sit and wait.
Then the camera takes the picture that will haunt me for years to come. At least they let me smile. Johnny thinks the picture turned out good. I think it looks like an old lady. It looks a little like this:
It says, "Driving Test? I don't need no stinking driving test!"The outside of the building could use some work. Notice the lack of grass. I think it looks rather yucky inside and out.
And this is this is the exit door. It was the front door the last time I went there. I don't know if anyone turns around after leaving to read the information.
My license is good until 2017. That's the best part; it'll be a long time before I need to repeat this experience. Meanwhile, watch for me if you tend to talk on your cell phone while driving.
When does your license expire?
34 comments:
I really don't like going through that whole process of renewing my driver's license. Mine will expire in August...drats! Funny comics! I'm so short that I look like that little old lady, too!
The last time I went after work and I was a total grunge!Had paint all over me. I went up to the camera lady and she said hon "we can use your old photo. So I will look the same till the next time! Since I have paint on me most of the time it would have been the true photo!hehe Kathy
Cute post. I think everyone has had the same experience. Now days, here in PA, we get to look at the photo and approve it before it's printed for years on your ID. Many years ago, before bank debit cards, I had such a bad picture, I didn't write a check for 4 years until I got a new license with a new picture. (Did I just give away my age, by admiting to the before debit card thing?) hee, hee, hee.
Aren't you going to show us your photo? ;)
No joke, one time in my picture, my head was a square shape. I don't know how they did it, but it was a horrible picture.
I just went through that , I was a nervous wreck thinking about all of the what if's. :) But, it was a piece of cake and I'm good to go for a few more years.
Love Ya,
Chris
I know I'm going to have to do that dreaded ordeal SOON. So far so good. My current picture is when my oldest was in Cub Scouts. He's now a happily married 22-year-old. I do get some raised eyebrows when they look at the picture and the real me!
I sure remember those days, Sally. I have a FL license too and will have to fly there to renew it, which will be in 2011. Hopefully it will renew automatically cause I hate to sit and wait in line....Christine
My license is good until 2039 and I've had it for 8 years already. I won't be worrying about it for awhile.
I just renewed mine for the first time last year and loved doing that. I can't remember if it renews in 8 or 10 years, but I don't have to think abut it for a while.
Funny how DNV offices are notoriously gloomy looking, but on the other hand, I don't want to spend my tax dollars on making it look posh.
Love the cartoons!
I hope mine does not expire any time soon! I need to check~
Visit me today, I want you to see the vase that is similar to yours you posted about in January...I am JUST NOW posting mine....late!
When we did our taxes the year I found my mail in renewal...it was six months overdue. I was driving on an expired license so I had to appear. It all went well (I was not arrested!) but my new picture is about as bad as a photo can get. I look like I was dragged off to prison and left there for a long time.
From Roberta Anne- The Raggedy Girl
Hi Sally,
Love your post and all the graphics you added they are really cute. I just renewed my license last year. They are good until 2012. And I'll agree the pictures are awful!! I've missed doing Blue Monday with you also. I've run out of Blue Stuff!! Maybe I'll have to do some shopping!! Thanks for stopping by my place. Have a great day!!
Sherrie
They don't make it easy. My problem is remembering when my license expires. One time I noticed in April that my license had expired - in October. I was afraid I would have to take a test or something, but when I went to have it renewed, they just laughed that I hadn't noticed it until April. I had no problem at all getting it renewed. Now I watch it a little more closely. I think it is due again this October. I'd better check and see.
I hate my picture on my license too. I'm sure it will be worse next time.
Charlotte
I always hate getting my license renewed but in our small area it is usually very painless. NOthing like in a big city!!! I just don't know HOW the camera is set up to get the worst picture possible of you....it just blows my mind!!!! Oh, and I looked, mine expires in Jan. 2010.
I've through the whole thing in Florida twice since my daughter got her first license there. Talk about a scary place to teach your kid to drive!
My CA license only has two more years on it but as long as I don't have any infractions, I should get to renew by mail. Yippee!
2012... and I'm willingly going to go renew in person and get a new photo... the last time they slipped some old lady's photo in my place... she looks a lot like I may look in another 20 years or so... but not now... who is that woman...
I ocassionally see her in my bathroom mirror too... who is she!
hugs. Dixie
You know I wanted to see the photo!LOL
I think it's like that everywhere, unfortunately. I'm disappointed that you didn't post the picture! LOL
At the DMV in Lakeland...you feel like you need to be "armed" while you're waiting, and then when you leave, you have the urge to go home and bleach yourself!
FYI - Justin Timberlake renewed his license in Lakeland a couple of years ago. Apparently most of the people who worked there had no idea who he was...but a friend, who works there knew who he was...and got autographs and photo's for his teenage daughters. He was a very popular dad for a while;-)
Mine expires in two years. I wouldn't know that but because you asked, I just looked to see.
Isn't that the worst place with all that waiting, Sally! Not sure when mine is coming up again. I can't believe you have until 1917! I usually break the camera, no kidding. No fun for sure....
I had to get a new one a few years ago because mine expired. Oh, the agony! And I hate the picture!
XO,
Sheila
That is one place I HATE to go*!!! Just shoot me when it's time to renew my license*! (SMILE)
I must go check my license. Clu Les is a hazard, isn't he?? Run him over!!!! Sally
Mine is good until 2013. Hopefully I will do the online.
Enjoyed reading story. And it is nice to have the biggest, baddest truck on the road...bump him to the curb!
Go Granny!
Candy
I've been to the DMV in IL, WA, and NM and decided long ago there is no such thing as an attractive one. I couldn't agree with you more. That's cool you can do it online though. What a total perk. Wish you could do that here.
The pictures on the drivers license are really terrible.I don't know of many people who like them. This is one place where I don't like to go. It seems as though you have to wait forever.
It's interesting how all DMV's take horrible pictures! I don't like the one on my license either, and hate to show it! My license expires in 2014.
Oh, I hate getting my d.l. picture redone! I renew it for the longest possible time, so I won't have to sit in front of that "mug shot" camera and have my picture taken! This was a cute post. laurie
Hey Sal... Great post... It does intimidate you a little going to the DMV in Florida... I just renewed mine in January and it is also good till 2017. I loved your post today...so cute!
(((HUGS)))
Donna
It is pure agony now matter what state you live in and they are all crowded and the lines move so slow.
Are the pictures ever good? Just like Costoc...yuck!
I am glad you are good to GO! 2017! Good Job! Mine expires next year....
California DMV is the pitts. I went there last December to renew my license. I noticed it was going to expire on my birthday, they never sent me a notice or anything! I went in there and took a number, I think I was #600 something and they were on #400. I stayed up the night before reading their stupid book studying for the test because they added a bunch of laws that I don't pay attention to because it doesn't relate to me like your blood level, driving a semi truck, etc.after waiting almost 2 hours they finally called me. She took my picture and said ok, we will send your license in the mail. I said WAIT, what about the test? She said oh you don't need it, I wanted to jump over the counter and strangle her...LOL Glad renewal time only comes every 5 years!
What really scared me is that my 85 year old mother who just totaled her car last year was given a new license for another 5 years. Now that is scary!
It is always awful and oh the crowd of humanity you see. A lot of the folks that were there when I changed mine (from TN to Ohio after Bill's military retirement)
were getting re-tested since their last DUI. *sigh*
I didn;t have to take a driver's test thankfully...some there surely should have!
I am glad you now have many years before you need to go again!
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