Call DMV 90 days ahead to try to get a timely appointment

I take issue with your column with the glowing DMV reviews from people who managed to get an appointment before their licenses expired. Part of the problem is trying to get an appointment before the license expiration date, and then, when you can’t, enduring an agonizing wait at these ill-managed DMV offices. I’m still seething after my ninehour wait. — Betty Horner

Nine hours would make anyone seethe. But the waits are getting shorter and more timely appointments should get easier. In August and September, the average wait time reduction for those without an appointment was 57 minutes. The DMV goals are for an average wait time of not more than 45 minutes for those without an appointment and not more than 15 minutes for folks with an appointment by the end of the year.

My best advice is to call 90 days ahead of time for an appointment. Renewal forms usually come out 60 days in advance, but that is often too late so the DMV is now urging people to call 90 days ahead to schedule an appointment.

In your DMV columns I don’t see any mention of the consequences if my license renewal appointment with the DMV is two weeks after my birthday and license expiration date. What will happen? — Jerry Bannan

Well, Art-the-CHPMan says it remains illegal to drive with an expired license despite our DMV problems. Are you willing to risk that?

I figured if I had gotten pulled over after my license expired I would have explained to the officer that the DMV had appointments over a month out. First of all, if everyone drove their cars like a good Roadshow reader should be doing, they would not get pulled over. And if they did get pulled over, then just explain to our very nice police officers the situation with the DMV. Most likely they would get off with no recourse. So why all the panicking? — Daniel Chapman, Santa Clara

The next fellow has a solution.

My license expires in November, but the earliest appointment I could get was in December. I tried all the DMVs from my area, all the way out to Tracy, Walnut Creek, Fremont, etc. Each possible appointment time was later in December.

I mentioned to a DMV worker these dates are after my license expires, and he said don’t get pulled over, you’ll get a ticket for an expired license. Oh well, I’m retired with nothing better to do. Maybe I should find a DMV several hours out of town, find a hotel, and see if I can get it done before my license expires. — Kevin Conley, San Lorenzo

A road trip is usually fun, but I find no humor in your situation.

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