A bunch of useless crap
Published on October 15, 2010 By MasonM In Blogging

I got myself a load back down to Florida so that I could renew my commercial driver's license, which expires a week from tomorrow. Without it I can't earn a living in my chosen profession.

I got to the DMV office, stood in line for about 90 minutes, finally got to the "check in" lady and was informed that due to Federal regulations which went into effect the first of the year I needed to provide a whole slew of documents. One of the documents is a certified copy of my birth certificate.

That I do not have. I have a copy of my certificate which has always served well for just about anything one could need it for, including enlisting in the military. It would seem it isn't good enough for the DMV.

I ordered a certified copy from the state of my birth and they will be sending it to me via airmail once they have done the needed "research". I am assuming "research" means getting around to looking it up in the computer, which would likely take all of about five seconds.

So now I am basically grounded until I get the certificate, as well as round up all of the other documentation they require for me to prove that I am me. Oh, and it seems that the TWIC card which was issued to me by the Department of Homeland Security after an extensive background check, which allows me access to ports, airfields, military bases, and other security sensitive areas, isn't acceptable as identification as far as the DMV is concerned.

I think I need a beer.


Comments
on Oct 15, 2010

Virginia got real strict (considering most of the 9-11 hi-jackers had VA Driver's Licenses!), but not THAT strict!  The feds DO NOT require that.  They do not dictate state regulations, and that is state (at least not in this area yet).

At least here, you can get a driver's license with a current one, or a passport, or as the last one, a certified copy of your birth certificate.  One or the other!  Not all.  As you do have a current one, you could have gotten it here (if you lived here - but we do have a state income tax, so I do not think you want to change your state of residence).

But our DMV has gotten better as for waits.  You do have to get a ticket first (tell them what you want), and then wait to get it done, but as I indicated on an earlier blog, it only took me about 30 minutes total.  And you get to sit and read a book (or whatever) until your number is called.

Not perfect, but it has gotten better from what it use to be.

on Oct 16, 2010

Florida's DMV is notoriously inefficient. One can make an appointment online and get through quicker, but without an appointment you stand in line and wait while those with appointments go ahead of you. Maddening.

The documentation is required by the Real ID Act, which went into effect, at least here in Florida, the first of this year.

on Oct 19, 2010

Well, I have to give the folks at the Louisiana Vital Records office credit. According to the site through which I placed the order, my birth certificate should arrive here via UPS sometime today.

on Oct 19, 2010

MasonM
Well, I have to give the folks at the Louisiana Vital Records office credit. According to the site through which I placed the order, my birth certificate should arrive here via UPS sometime today.

Louisiana can do anything right?  {SHOCK}

Glad to hear it.  I will have to send a note of congratulations to my family down there.

on Oct 20, 2010

Dr Guy


Louisiana can do anything right?  {SHOCK}

Glad to hear it.  I will have to send a note of congratulations to my family down there.

Yep, it would seem that at least the Vital Records office is pretty efficient. The certificate was indeed delivered to me yesterday afternoon. Not bad at all as it was ordered late Friday afternoon so they didn't actually receive the order in their office until Monday morning.

on Oct 20, 2010

Well, I am now once again legal to drive for another 8 years.

on Oct 20, 2010

MasonM
Well, I am now once again legal to drive for another 8 years.

Ok Phillip North Beardsley.

on Oct 20, 2010

Dr Guy

Quoting MasonM, reply 6Well, I am now once again legal to drive for another 8 years.
Ok Phillip North Beardsley.

Hmmm, Not sure I quite get the reference.

on Nov 04, 2010

MasonM

Hmmm, Not sure I quite get the reference.

That was "Yours Mine and Ours" (Henry Fonda and Lucille Ball).  One of the younger children, when the judge said his name was now "Phillip North Beardsley", turned to Tim Mattheson (his older step brother) and said "I am legal".

on Nov 04, 2010

Dr Guy

Quoting MasonM, reply 8
Hmmm, Not sure I quite get the reference.
That was "Yours Mine and Ours" (Henry Fonda and Lucille Ball).  One of the younger children, when the judge said his name was now "Phillip North Beardsley", turned to Tim Mattheson (his older step brother) and said "I am legal".

 

Ahhhhhh! Ok, now I got it. Been a very long time since I have seen that one