Readers React: How much do Californians love their cars? This is what they put up with at the DMV

Californians will do just about anything to keep driving their cars, no matter how bad traffic gets (witness steep declines in transit ridership and increasing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, despite significant improvements in other areas).

And by “traffic,” I also mean on foot.

Two weeks ago, when Opinion contributing writer David L. Ulin objected to the Real ID law on the grounds that it constitutes unnecessary government overreach, most of the letter writers who agreed with him decried the bureaucratic maze they had to navigate at the Department of Motor Vehicles to obtain a federally mandated enhanced driver’s license. Now, with state lawmakers hammering the DMV for reported wait times of six hours or more, readers are continuing to send us their horror stories of making appointments, waiting around for hours and dealing with cantankerous clerks.

And all this, just for the “privilege” (because driving is not a right, says the DMV) of crawling on crumbling freeways and roads.

Steve Bloch of Laguna Niguel tried to make an appointment. It didn’t go well:

The Legislature does a public service by scrutinizing the disaster at the DMV. The problem is even greater than what has been reported, however.

A few weeks ago, two months before my license expiration date, I received an in-person DMV license renewal notice. A week later — eight weeks before expiration — I tried to schedule an appointment. Nothing was available before October within 25 miles of my house. Because California has no renewal grace period, I accepted an appointment 30 miles away.

My experience raises important questions: Why doesn’t the DMV notify drivers at least three months before expiration so they can make appointments in time? And why doesn’t the DMV grant a grace period of 90 days for license renewals?

Rogelio Peña of Montebello recalls his three-hour ordeal:

I am one of those who waited for three hours to get a Real ID license.

I waited in line for one hour just to get an application. After completing it, the clerk noticed that I dated the application incorrectly. Crossing it out and correcting it would not suffice, so I had to complete the application a second time. I was given a number and waited to be called again.

About 90 minutes later, I was called. There was only one clerk assigned to process Real ID applications — and that clerk left for more than an hour after serving the fellow ahead of me. It was not lunchtime, so I do not know where she went.

Hacienda Heights resident Bobby Fraker is a rare satisfied customer:

I went to the DMV recently to renew my driver’s license. I had an appointment and was directed to the appropriate window. From there, I went to the test area to prepare my application to renew my license. When I finished the application, I was given a number, after which I waited for a short time before being called.

I took an eye test, paid $35 and had my picture taken. Then, I took a test on California’s driving laws, after which I was given a temporary license and told the permanent card would arrive in the mail. The whole process took exactly one hour.

The problem is that people seem to resist making an appointment. How could any business operate efficiently if most of its customers resist its advice?

Chuck Trudeau of Nipomo wants government to hand over the DMV:

Solution to long lines at DMV? Privatize. I bet AAA could take over and make it work.

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