January 06, 2009

Renewing a Driver’s License...

...or how to accidentally enlist in the army.

I’ve never been particularly lucky with my driver’s licenses. This time is no exception.

These are the documents I need to renew my license and convert it from a Maryland to a D.C. one (yeah, I’ve had my Maryland license for the last 3 years of being in D.C.):

A-A completed application – check
B-A passport – check
C-My social security card – check
D-Proof of current District of Columbia residency - problem!

There are several ways to prove you live in D.C.:

D1-Utility Bill – oops, the only utility bill we have is electricity, and it’s in my roommate’s name
D2-Telephone Bill – oops, I only have a cell phone bill, and apparently, that’s not valid
D3-Unexpired lease or rental agreement – oops, our lease is expired and we are currently on a month-to-month agreement with our landlord
D4-DC property tax bill issued in the last 60 days – oops, I don't owm property
D5-Unexpired homeowner’s insurance – oops, I’m not a homeowner
D6-Letter with picture from Court Services and Offender Supervising Agency – whaaaa?
D7-Current military orders – hum... that's not currently applicable

That's preposterous! Here I am, a completely legal resident of the District of Columbia, and yet unable to prove my residency.

I’m almost tempted to enlist in the military, just to get that stupid license.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've heard tell that a cell bill in conjunction with bank records will do the trick.

There is no hell on earth quite like DMV hell. Good luck.

007 in Africa said...

Thanks for the info restaurantrefugee. I will certainly try that. And I agree that DMV = hell.

Anonymous said...

Wow, well I guess you'll just have to drive illegally, as usual :)
-Ammo

Victoria said...

That's hilarious.
I wonder why I didn't have any trouble?...

Anonymous said...

Victoria: because you're the nice, sweet girl in the family :)

It's funny, when I first read the subject I thought they'd conned you into enlisting:

"Would you like to be an organ donor?
Yes
No

Would you like to register to vote?
Yes
No

Would you like to not join the military?
Yes
No
...."

:)

-Ammo

FoggyDew said...

The day I went to get my Va. license was the same day I sent my birth certificate off to the State Dept. to get a new passport (I'd mislaid mine in the fun that was Hurricane Rita).

Unfortunately, I'd sent my stuff off to get the passport before I headed to the DMV.

According to the DMV clerk, who incidently had a hard time with english, my old Texas license and a Pentagon ID requiring a background check were insufficient evidence I actually was an American citizen and allowed the privilege of a Virginia drivers license.

I hate the DMV, no matter who it represents.

007 in Africa said...

Foggydew, wow, that totally doesn't make any sense. Viva bureaucracy!

Anonymous said...

In Massachusetts you can renew your license online every other time. I don't know whether you can do this in DC but I'm certainly happy any time I can avoid going to the DMV!