Projects Front License Plate No Longer Required

Hello,

Due to the pandemic and DMV appointments, the system is a mess. First, they told us to get anything done for your car, you had to go to the DMV. Now, several outlets are taking some of weight off of their shoulders and opening up an DMV annex in their business. But, they are limited. As the pandemic grew, driver’s licenses renewal was also fair game.

Again, it was, make an appointment and stand in a long line outside. Pay the money, take photo and then the test. As the pandemic grew, masks were required, which was great, but the lines were just as long as before. So, in the last several months, the DMV is going a little bonkers.

Some things can be taken care of at the AAA dealers and some at the DMV kiosks in various stores. But, the majority of the license renewals is done specifically by the DMV offices. So, now it was back to the DMV for long lines among the hordes waiting in line. Not a great place to be in 2020.

Two weeks ago, we drove by our local DMV office on our way to do some errands. Just before noon, the whole entrance was open and no lines. What??? So, my wife had been trying to not go to the DMV to renew her license. But, as the months went by, nothing online mentions that there were any options for those that needed renewal, car registration renewal or the Real ID.

Jnaki

Finally, a blurb popped up on the DMV website and again the wording was shaky and not clearly spelled out for those in need. But, by chance, if your renewal date was off by a month of the requirement, there was a chance you could get accepted. So, my wife read the website information, followed the steps and paid the money via credit card.

The site said nothing about taking a test or going into the DMV. She did not care for a Real ID, so within a week, a new California DMV license was in the mail with the old photo from 5 years ago. Now, her license is good for 5 years.

My reply? What??? You did not have to take any tests? NOPE…! And in early 2020, I stood in a line at 5:00 am was the 2nd in line and had to take a test at the DMV. Then, the pandemic restrictions hit with a bomb…

 

We just need to accept that the DMV employees don't care to help us. It seems to me that they don't like the fact that most of our cars and trucks don't need to be smog'd. Somehow I picture these folks driving Ford Escorts into the ground, smoking and barely passing smog...

We pay more tax for gas, more tax for registrations, more tax to our corrupt politicians, and we must have some of the worst service in California at the DMV. I am skeptical that a message to them would even help. This problem is deeper than that.

To this thread specific, California is required to have a front license plate on all vehicles registered with the DMV for ALL years except 1945 and 1946, AFAIK.

 

Move to Arizona.