Cancellation of appointments by DMV is offset by extensions
QWasn’t it very poor judgment for the DMV to cancel all appointments because of the COVID-19 closure? I made an appointment two months ago to renew my driver’s license as a Real ID in late April and now that it is canceled I am just weeks away from an expired license.
Surely the existing appointments for license expirations for mid- to late April and onward could have been left in place so that the DMV only had two to three weeks of rescheduling to do. This compounds the problem unnecessarily. Does the DMV purposely create bottlenecks so they can ask for more money in their budget?
— Chantal Gaiddon,
Castro Valley
AAs frustrating as this is, there is one needed change coming. Seniors age 70 and older with a driver’s license that will expire through May 31 will receive a 120day extension in the mail during the COVID-19 pandemic. This hopefully ensures they can avoid a DMV office visit during this shelter-in-place
Qperiod.
Also, those over
70 with safe driving records whose last DMV visit was 15 years ago will not be required to renew in person for the next 60 days and will be able to renew online or by mail.
Written tests have also been suspended during the next 60 days for seniors renewing their driver’s licenses. I was surprised that many readers suggest that Caltrans workers risk their lives by doing even more work during this COVID-19 crisis when it is suggested that we all shelter in place, except for necessary activities.
In the last few weeks, I have seen Caltrans workers doing a variety of emergency repairs to keep our roads open. Like nurses, doctors, police, firefighters, mail deliverers, etc., they are accepting additional risk to keep our society going. However, new construction is not an emergency. I would never ask anyone to risk their lives just so things might be more convenient for me in the future.
— Robert Cooper, Santa Cruz AAnd …
Q
Regarding Sunday’s column, where readers suggested this is a good time for work to be done on highways: Good time for whom? It sounds like this idea benefits people sitting at home who want less traffic when they return to the roads. How selfish. Workers deserve safety and protection from COVID-19. This means reducing their exposure to others, including colleagues on work sites. Essential projects to keep trucks moving makes sense. Everything else can wait.
— Beth Davies, Los Altos
ACaltrans is extending work hours on some jobs because traffic is so light during the day. But some workers are reporting in sick and are being told to stay home until they’re better.