Officially a CA resident

Thursday morning, I got moving early and went to the DMV to finally apply for my CA driver's license. I've had my car registered for a while, since I could do that at AAA on a Saturday. Unfortunately, they couldn't give me a license. (But they did let me register my car without a CA license, which I thought was a bit strange but didn't argue.) I got stopped a few weeks ago for speeding - it's reeeeeeally hard to go 25 on a main road down a hill on a pretty morning (or ever), but I'm more conscious about it now. Luckily, I did not get a ticket for the speeding but a fix-it ticket for not having my CA license. The possible $365 fine is what motivated me to actually get up and go to the DMV before work Thursday.

Let me tell you, the CA DMV sucks. For many many reasons.

1. No extended or weekend hours at all, EVER: Their hours are 8-5 Mon, Tues, Thurs and ONE Friday a month; 9-5 Wed. Hello budget crisis.

2. Due to shitty hours, everyone decides to "get there before they open". There were 50 people at least, waiting in line outside the DMV door at 7:45am. FIFTY people. I got in line anyway because I had gotten up and out the door this morning and didn't want to pay $365.

3. LONG long long wait times: despite arriving at 7:45a, I was assigned number G31 and waited until 9:15a for my number to be called. It then only took 30 minutes to do the paperwork, pay the fee, get my picture, take the test and wait in line to have the test graded. I was out the door at 9:45a and at work by 10:01a (not late until 10:07a!)

4. Retaking the driver's written exam: They make you take the written test to get a license, even with a valid out of state one. (This point is only a negative because it added time to getting my license and I was almost late for work. I do think people should be restested every so often.) If you fail, you can retake the exam immediately. I got a smiley face on my test because the three people in front of me had all failed, some for the 2nd or 3rd time.

5. Inability to make appointments: Everyone recommends to make an appointment so you don't have to wait. You can conveniently do it online or by phone. However, the first appointment they have available is always a month away and it is impossible to make an appointment for 8am EVER. Plus, the phone system is automated and it takes 10 minutes on the phone choosing options just to hear that the next available appointment is at 3:15p in Septemeber.

6. 'Requiring' that you get a CA license within 10 days of becoming a resident: See #5. Guess all new residents have to suck it up and wait. If you start working right away (as was my case), you are SOL due to #1.

7. No same day laminated license: CA DMV gave me a half sheet of paper with my name on it that is my interim license for 2-4 weeks until I get my CA one. It does not have my picture on it. How ghetto is that? NJ gives you the laminated license 10 minutes after you get your picture taken. Catch up cali.

I was surprised, however, that I needed no "proof of address" to get my license. NJ completely redid their DMV system a few years ago, adding a "6 points of identification" requirement as well as tons of security features to the licenses so they couldn't be faked so easy. You need 2-3 forms of ID, and proof of address to even get in the real line in NJ. When I lost my license last year, I almost couldn't get a new ID because I don't get mail in NJ anymore so I didn't really have a valid proof of address. Thank goodness for joint bank accounts with parents that are never used....

Now I know as a general rule, the DMV sucks. But as I never registered in VA or CT, I have no idea if NJ spoiled me with their effective DMV or if the CA DMV really does suck.

Long story short: I survived the DMV, and am an official California girl, but I will be renewing and changing my address via mail so I never ever have to go back there.