Jason Knits

I want to SCREAM!!!

The good news is that I got my driver’s license taken cared of finally. But it was truly a hellish experience!!! I took THREE trips to the DMV. Each time a horrible experience. Don’t get me wrong. There were nice people there. Like the managers and the lady that gave me the written test. But the ones at the counters and the so-called “information desk”… JERKOS!!!

I called DMV on the phone about not receiving my driver’s license. On the second call I was informed that I should head down to a local DMV office and acquire an extension. Then update my name at Social Security to match DMV’s database. So first trip. The woman at the so-called “information desk” did not know how to handle my issue. She gave me a dirty look then handed me an application to fill out. I thought, “why do I need to apply for a license again to get an extension?” I filled it out and handed it to her. She took one look then printed out a number, handed it to me, but leaving the application in front of her. I took the number and started walking away. Then I heard a scolding voice, “you have to take the application with you!” Well, aren’t you a friendly bunch?! How would I know if I should take the application when you only handed me a piece of paper with a number on it? How would I know if you didn’t expedite documents yourself?

I took the paper and went to sit down. I got called. Went to a window. Handed the paper over and explained my situation. Another puzzled face on the guy. He didn’t understand what I wanted. So he went ahead and processed the application. Asked me to pay. I was thinking, “why do I need to pay for an extension? I already paid for the renewal?” I paid. He took a new photo of me then sent me to take a written test. I felt that it was really strange then. I took the test anyway. I passed it. But the test lady didn’t know where to send me next. So she called a manager. The manager came and I had to explain my situation again. She told me it would be easier if I just get a license with the name on the social security card. I told her that I would have to change everything else that I had. She then filled out a tiny piece of paper of 60-day extension. So, the fee and the test were not necessary. No one offered to give me a refund. I was too fed-up to stay and ask for it.

Second trip. Because I wasn’t able to get my hand on my certificate of naturalization (at my mom’s and she wasn’t there.) I decided to get my license in the Chinese name and use my passport for ID. I went to DMV. A different person at the so-called “information desk”. A snob. He decided that I couldn’t get one that way. I explained that a manager told me I could last time. So he sent me to another manager. I had to tell my story again and requested to get my license. He wouldn’t let me. He said that because I was using another name, he couldn’t possibly give me a license in a different name. I have to get the name changed at SS office. Come back when the computer system reflects the change. So I got a different story from the second manager. I couldn’t get my license easier if I went with my Chinese name. I left.

Third trip. I had my name changed at SS office. They told me the system would be updated the next day. I waited one extra day then went to the DMV. Same snobby guy at the so-called “information desk”.

Me: Hi, I just got my name changed at the SS office to match the DMV record. I am here to get my driver’s license.
DMV Guy stared at me and handed me an application to fill out.
Me: Oh, I’ve done that. I even double paid the DMV. Here are the papers to show my payment and my written test result.
DMV Guy: You have to fill another application out.
Me: Oh, your manager told me all I needed to do was to get my name updated to get my card issued. (Pointing at the manager behind him.)
DMV Guy: (Not even turning around to look.) You are not going to listen to me.
Me: I am just trying to tell you that I’ve gone through the process. I have papers showing that.
DMV Guy: You are not listening. Just take a number. You’ll be back to fill out the application.

I was shocked and outraged! He refused to listen to me but told me that I was the one not listening. I had receipt of payment, a printout proving an application in progress, plus a test result. Why should I go through the same things again? To pay them a third time? I was angry. I almost didn’t hear them call my number. I went to the window and told my story once again.

DMV Woman: You need to show me your social security card.
Me: That’s not what your managers said. (Pointing to the manager again. She did not bother to turn around and look either.) They told me to just come in when the computer system updated the name.
DMV Woman, looking at the monitor: I need to see your social security card.
Me: Are you saying that the system wasn’t updated? I was told that it would had been updated yesterday.
DMV Woman was silent.
Me, pointing at the manager again: Just ask your manager. I talked to him last time.

Again, she did not bother to turn around. She worked on the computer for a few moments. The printer made some noise. Without explaining anything she handed me my interim license and said, “here you go.” I said, “thank you very much,” and walked away incredibly angry. When I was walking pass the snob at the so-called “information desk” CB asked me, “did you get it.” I said, “yes, I got it.” I hope the snob heard me.

That place sucks! I feel that they intend on denying people instead of trying to help people find solutions. Why are those people working there if they do not like helping people? They should find other jobs that do not require human contacts. And to think that we taxpayers pay for them to be there! That just makes me angry.

OK. I am not really angry now. CB reminded me to be mindful. Even my cards told me to stay balanced. In the future, I’ll find another DMV to go to. Will that help? I don’t know.