A Delightful VDMV Experience

When we moved to Northern Virginia from Capitol Hill one of the first stops was to go to the Department of Motor Vehicles to get a Virginia Drivers License. We had to bring a lot of documentation to get the RealID license. It was also very crowded and took a long time. What a difference five years makes! My husband needed to renew his license before March. We filled in the paperwork at home and also got his vision documentation from the eye doctor since he had an appointment within three months. Then we were able to make an appointment on line - and they sent reminders. When we got to our destination this morning I tried to “skip the line” by logging on to his appointment via text, but it didn’t work or I didn’t know what I was doing. Once we had gotten past the information desk we were already being called to a window. We handed over the paperwork and license. My husband had his photo taken, we paid twenty dollars, and got back the license and a temporary paper. The new license should be mailed within two weeks, and you can track the progress. The whole process took less than fifteen minutes. We were both surprised about how organized and courteous the staff were. It was actually a very pleasant experience. 

Another Trip to the Virginia DMV

First we went there to find out what exactly we needed to bring. Then we went back earlier this week to finally get our Virginia drivers license and license plates. When you move to another state there are certain things you just have to do. And it doesn’t matter if you just renewed you last license two months ago. So I was able to get my license, along with car registration and license plates, after three hours. But my husband didn’t have enough proof of Virginia residency, and would have to return. So we did go back yesterday afternoon with more than enough documentation. It doesn’t seem to matter when you go to that place it is always extremely busy. It was bad enough to have to be there again and fill out the papers and wait - again. But when my husband’s number was finally called he went to the desk he and the attendant didn’t hit it off well at all, which is very unusual. And it was a terrible experience from that point on. The eye exam was an unpleasant exchange. I have already been warned that the photo ID is going to look a bit rough. I was glad when the ordeal finally ended. Let’s hope we both end up with our licenses in the mail within the next ten days. I can’t believe I’m even thinking this - but this experience makes DC seem heavenly!