The Daily Peeve / Rant

[rosarugosa]

I think I can describe this now without sputtering with rage and frustration. I recently got a reminder letter that I need to renew my driver's license before my birthday in late April. Unfortunately, I cannot renew it online again since I renewed it online the last two times; I need to go into the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV). License renewals are now by appointment only. I thought this might be an improvement over the old system of taking a number and waiting for hours - ha! There were no appointments at any of the 3 RMVs that are a reasonable distance from me, although plenty of availability in places like North Adams and Martha's Vineyard, as far away from me as they could possibly be while still being in the state. But wait, the website says appointments are "released" hourly throughout the day, so I just need to keep checking every hour and refreshing my screen - good thing I am retired! Finally some appointments are released, all three RMVs for the same date in late April that I cannot make due to a conflicting appointment. The next day I succeed in scoring an acceptable appointment, and I feel like I scored f*cking Taylor Swift tickets, but I'm just trying to renew my f*cking driver's license like a good citizen! F*ck the Massachusetts RMV! This is a prosperous state; it's not like I'm in Mississippi or somewhere, and a functional RMV should not be too much to ask. I feel bad for anyone in my area who needs to renew their license in March.
DH and I had talked briefly about doing a mini-getaway to North Adams, kind of like medical tourism, but RMV tourism instead.
Jeppy, I think your next crusade should be MA RMV reform!

[Tybee]

I think I can describe this now without sputtering with rage and frustration. I recently got a reminder letter that I need to renew my driver's license before my birthday in late April. Unfortunately, I cannot renew it online again since I renewed it online the last two times; I need to go into the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV). License renewals are now by appointment only. I thought this might be an improvement over the old system of taking a number and waiting for hours - ha! There were no appointments at any of the 3 RMVs that are a reasonable distance from me, although plenty of availability in places like North Adams and Martha's Vineyard, as far away from me as they could possibly be while still being in the state. But wait, the website says appointments are "released" hourly throughout the day, so I just need to keep checking every hour and refreshing my screen - good thing I am retired! Finally some appointments are released, all three RMVs for the same date in late April that I cannot make due to a conflicting appointment. The next day I succeed in scoring an acceptable appointment, and I feel like I scored f*cking Taylor Swift tickets, but I'm just trying to renew my f*cking driver's license like a good citizen! F*ck the Massachusetts RMV! This is a prosperous state; it's not like I'm in Mississippi or somewhere, and a functional RMV should not be too much to ask. I feel bad for anyone in my area who needs to renew their license in March.
DH and I had talked briefly about doing a mini-getaway to North Adams, kind of like medical tourism, but RMV tourism instead.
Jeppy, I think your next crusade should be MA RMV reform!

Well, since I used to walk to North Adams in my college days, I don't feel too bad for you that way. My best DMV experiences were in South Carolina, where I almost cried tears of relief when getting a drivers license and being treated like a human being. My worst was in New York, where it took my son and me something like four trips to get our licenses changed from out of state--it was notoriously horrible.

[sweetana3]

Thankfully when I last needed to get my drivers license renewed, it was for those new real ID ones. So I got online and printed out what documents were needed. Located them and put them in a file folder with the printed list highlighted. Was ready for an argument. Pulled out each one and got the license in record time.

Mom in law in her 80s could not do this without months of time and $$$ to get all the documents needed, so we got her a passport card instead. She no longer drives so does not need a DL or even a state ID. Passport was easier since she had one originally.

The whole thing is an unnecessary hassle.

[iris lilies]

I think I can describe this now without sputtering with rage and frustration. I recently got a reminder letter that I need to renew my driver's license before my birthday in late April. Unfortunately, I cannot renew it online again since I renewed it online the last two times; I need to go into the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV). License renewals are now by appointment only. I thought this might be an improvement over the old system of taking a number and waiting for hours - ha! There were no appointments at any of the 3 RMVs that are a reasonable distance from me, although plenty of availability in places like North Adams and Martha's Vineyard, as far away from me as they could possibly be while still being in the state. But wait, the website says appointments are "released" hourly throughout the day, so I just need to keep checking every hour and refreshing my screen - good thing I am retired! Finally some appointments are released, all three RMVs for the same date in late April that I cannot make due to a conflicting appointment. The next day I succeed in scoring an acceptable appointment, and I feel like I scored f*cking Taylor Swift tickets, but I'm just trying to renew my f*cking driver's license like a good citizen! F*ck the Massachusetts RMV! This is a prosperous state; it's not like I'm in Mississippi or somewhere, and a functional RMV should not be too much to ask. I feel bad for anyone in my area who needs to renew their license in March.
DH and I had talked briefly about doing a mini-getaway to North Adams, kind of like medical tourism, but RMV tourism instead.
Jeppy, I think your next crusade should be MA RMV reform!

We joke to our city friends that when we went to the local DMV in Hermann, once we had to wait in line behind…one person. Oh the horrors of that wait! But it was only one time. All other times had no waiting.And the ladies in Hermann’s DMV are friendly and productive.

This is, of course, in direct contrast to doing DMV business in the city with its filthy building, lack of parking, long lines, rude employees, etc.

[happystuff]

Il, so sorry to hear about the events and death in your town. Prayers going out.

[Tradd]

Rosa, do the license renewals need appts due to the Real ID thing? Here in IL, you can still choose to go without a Real ID DL. I have a passport and a passport card (I’ve driven to Canada to dive in the past), so I didn’t bother with the hassle of a Real ID.

[rosarugosa]

Tradd: It's the same scenario here, and I also did not opt for a Real ID since I have a valid passport. I might have gone for the Real ID, but I don't have an acceptable document to prove my SSN. My parents laminated my SS card way back when, and all my W-2s and 1099s only show the last 4 digits of my SSN. To get a new SS card, I would have to go to the local office, and I figure visiting the RMV will be enough fun for now.

[frugal-one]

Kinda sad that our sojourn in the Rio Grande Valley is almost over. Heading back the 1st and heading to colder temps (up to 50 degrees colder). Snow fell again today, I hear. Seriously considering moving to the Valley and “vacationing” for a few months in the north during the summer. As I age, northern winters take too much of a toll. It is quite an endeavor to figure how to make it happen though. I am working on it.

[Tybee]

Kinda sad that our sojourn in the Rio Grande Valley is almost over. Heading back the 1st and heading to colder temps (up to 50 degrees colder). Snow fell again today, I hear. Seriously considering moving to the Valley and “vacationing” for a few months in the north during the summer. As I age, northern winters take too much of a toll. It is quite an endeavor to figure how to make it happen though. I am working on it.

I love this idea for us, too! Summers in Maine are great; winters are becoming tough for us.

[iris lilies]

The places that are so nice in the summertime are so miserable in the winter. Such a conundrum.