Brief DMV waits for drivers who have out-of-state homes

Q

Realizing I was due for a Real ID soon I took a creative approach. As a homeowner in Utah and with specific paperwork in hand,

I walked into the Heber Valley DMV last month.

I was one of three people in line with four friendly folks available. The process was accomplished in approximately five minutes. Thereafter they even offered directions to Guardsman Pass, a beautiful alternate drive back home. I can now get a library card there, Sundance movie tickets and board a flight after 2020 without clogging California DMV lines. — Lisa P., San Jose

A

Smart lady. And there are others, too.

Q

I’m an old-time Californian (family arrived in the 1890s) now living in Colorado, which does some interesting things to lighten up the wait at the DMV. For one thing, driver’s tests are available at licensed private driving schools. There are kiosks in the DMV where license renewals and car registrations can be done electronically, though most renewals are done via postcard or online. The DMV makes every effort to keep people out of their facilities. — Laurie Sampson, Centennial, Colo.

A

California is doing this as well. Customers may renew their vehicle registration by using a DMV Now Self-Service Terminal, which prints a new registration card and license plate tag on the spot. The kiosk is available in 60 field offices and 39 grocery stores.

Q

I was interested in your article on DMV wait times. I wanted to point you to how New Mexico has solved this problem. You pay $20 for a 20-minute maximum wait. If a California politician wanted to become a hero, they would propose and implement a similar concept. — Curt Salisbury, San Ramon

A

And …

Q

When I go to the DMV in Alabama, the staff all wears tuxedos and addresses me as “sir” with a smile. Nothing ever takes more than 30 minutes, and they serve mint juleps while you wait. It must be great to live in a red state with a strong, Republican economy. — K.P.

A

The mint juleps are a great idea; better than getting suckers at the doctor’s office.

Q

I find it difficult to feel empathy for people with DMV license/Real ID issues and long waits. Why aren’t they aware of their license expiration dates? Geez. I was out the door in just 40 minutes. Couldn’t have been easier. DMV staff was efficient and friendly. And my new Real ID/license arrived in less than a week. Show up without an appointment? Then you get what you chose. No excuses. — Alex Adams, San Jose

A

Soon, I hope, 9-hour waits and our statewide nightmare will be over. More than 11,000 people showed up for new Saturday service.