Only at the DMV
#1
Only at the DMV
Mrs L had to go to the DMV today as her license expired while the DMV was closed. The procedure here in Oregon is now you make an appointment request online, and the DMV get back to you with date and time. Mrs L was requested to attend at 10am this morning.
She arrived and was met at the door by a greeter who checked her appointment email against the list, and then checked there was not the maximum of 6 people already inside waiting. There being only four she was admitted. Mrs L is impressed at how this is an improvement over the old way of taking a ticket and waiting until called. She goes through the entrance and is directed to take a ticket from the machine, take a seat and wait until her number is called.
She arrived and was met at the door by a greeter who checked her appointment email against the list, and then checked there was not the maximum of 6 people already inside waiting. There being only four she was admitted. Mrs L is impressed at how this is an improvement over the old way of taking a ticket and waiting until called. She goes through the entrance and is directed to take a ticket from the machine, take a seat and wait until her number is called.
#3
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2011
Location: Somewhere between Vancouver & St Johns
Posts: 19,851
Re: Only at the DMV
Mrs L had to go to the DMV today as her license expired while the DMV was closed. The procedure here in Oregon is now you make an appointment request online, and the DMV get back to you with date and time. Mrs L was requested to attend at 10am this morning.
She arrived and was met at the door by a greeter who checked her appointment email against the list, and then checked there was not the maximum of 6 people already inside waiting. There being only four she was admitted. Mrs L is impressed at how this is an improvement over the old way of taking a ticket and waiting until called. She goes through the entrance and is directed to take a ticket from the machine, take a seat and wait until her number is called.
She arrived and was met at the door by a greeter who checked her appointment email against the list, and then checked there was not the maximum of 6 people already inside waiting. There being only four she was admitted. Mrs L is impressed at how this is an improvement over the old way of taking a ticket and waiting until called. She goes through the entrance and is directed to take a ticket from the machine, take a seat and wait until her number is called.
#4
Re: Only at the DMV
#5
Re: Only at the DMV
Makes sense to keep that system. People can spread out in the waiting area rather than in a line. No one has to remember the order people came in the door. The ticket system probably keeps track for their metrics. Changing it for the sake of changing it is a bit silly.
#6
Re: Only at the DMV
I would like to agree with you, but there have been enough reported melees in recent weeks over mask-wearing and other trivial stuff that no rational person would argue over but which have decended into screaming matches, or worse, and in at least a couple of cases that I am aware of, into shootings, so I think that the apparently superflouous use of the "take a ticket" queue system is a small price to pay to avoid such nonsense.
Last edited by Pulaski; Jul 14th 2020 at 4:20 pm.
#7
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2017
Location: Newnan, GA
Posts: 802
Re: Only at the DMV
There does seem to be a penchant for creating Admin with a seeming end goal of retaining jobs in the USA (well, my exposure to it, which is mostly in Georgia). I can;t work out out of that is a noble cause or an annoyingly ridiculous one. In the DMV example, I also get a little down hearted when I don't get Cheese or some Deli meats at the point of handing over the ticket.
#8
Re: Only at the DMV
Patti and Selma from The Simpsons brought DMV culture to the world, and the public just keeps on cranking it out.
In Canada the usual procedure is "Here's your license/registration/plate, thank you and have a nice day." "Thank you; you have a nice day too."
https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...ght+at+the+dmv
In Canada the usual procedure is "Here's your license/registration/plate, thank you and have a nice day." "Thank you; you have a nice day too."
https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...ght+at+the+dmv
#10
Re: Only at the DMV
When we first moved here it took me less than an hour, start to finish, the entire process, to swap my VA licence for an NC one, and register three vehicles. .... And the licensing office and registration office are in two separate buildings, about a ten minute drive apart!
The last time I need to replace my license I first went an office in the area I was on that day, in a more urban area - it was crowded and the staff unhelpful, so I left and went to the one closer to home a few days later,
#11
Re: Only at the DMV
I've already recounted my story elsewhere of trying to get my license renewed with nothing but the extension letter after you file an I-751.
That was interesting.
I hate the DMV.
That was interesting.
I hate the DMV.
#12
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 211
Re: Only at the DMV
Say what you will, my state's DMV has improved dramatically in efficiency since the '90s. Back then, you could wait in line for a half hour only to find out you were in the wrong line.
I'm guessing the 'take a ticket and blank forms from a front reception desk' system emerged as a set of 'best practices' and spread to many states in the late '90s and 2000s.
I'm guessing the 'take a ticket and blank forms from a front reception desk' system emerged as a set of 'best practices' and spread to many states in the late '90s and 2000s.
#13
Re: Only at the DMV
PS Coming from a big city in New York State, I've never had issues with the DMV either there or here in MS. I don't hate going to DMV and in fact, I have to go this week for my renewal registration to pay the personal property tax on my vehicle.
Last edited by Rete; Jul 15th 2020 at 2:27 pm.
#14
Re: Only at the DMV
I have to go this week for my renewal registration to pay the personal property tax on my vehicle.
Here in GA the yearly fee is $20 to renew the registration, and that's it. Obviously if you buy a vehicle you pay property tax, but only the one time.
#15
Re: Only at the DMV
It appears that the ad valorem tax was eliminated in Georgia in 2013, and replaced with a tax payment at the time of purchase/ transfer of ownership.