"I Love the DMV...NOT!

It is amazing how quickly you get taken care of at any city office when you have to pay them. However, when you need something from them, you can put your hand on your ass and wait, and for very lengthy periods of time at that.

I arrived at the NYS DMV office on 34th Street at about 9:30am yesterday morning. I was going to take my written driver's permit test. The office was rather empty so I thought I would not be there that long. Well, I was so wrong.

I proceeded to the Written Tests line where I waited, along with over 20 other people, to just submit our applications, sign forms and take a photo. I stood there for what felt like 20-30 minutes before reaching the front of the line. It is amazing but at first there was only one person working the line, then, out of nowhere came 3 other people to work the line. Oh but that quick movement of customers/clients, was only wishful thinking because it only lasted for the time it took for the DMV employees to take care of about 10 people. Then I think they called an early break or maybe an emergency bell went off somewhere, but those people disappeared and were nowhere to be found.

Ok, so now I am on the second line, waiting to take my photograph and submit my identification. That had to have taken another 30-40 minutes even with only 8 people in front of me. Finally, it is my turn. I submitted all the proper ID, took my photo, and signed in the proper places. Now..."go sit down and wait...good luck on your exam." So I proceed to the 2 1/2 rows of very uncomfortable wooden benches they have for you to sit on where you wait to be called to take your test. However, the 15 people who were just tested had been finished for the past 20 minutes and were just waiting in their testing seats for their results. Oh, wait a minute, I think I hear a little voice calling someone's name. Finally, after another 10-15 minutes they were ready to give those people their results and move on to the next batch of test takers, my group.

Yeah, we are called to line up, take a pen and a pencil. The security guard politely asks, "Are you taking your test in English or Spanish?" So we respond, to only be asked again by the diligent young clerk behind the desk giving out the exams. "Use the pen to print and sign your name. Use the pencil for the test." Great, I finally get to take the test.

If the test took me a whole 10 minutes to complete, that was a lot. But I was CONFIDENT I passed with flying colors. Six wrong out of twenty questions? I don't understand how anyone who simply takes the practice test online can fail this test? But, who am I to judge? Maybe those people don't even know the practice test exists online. Maybe those people don't have access to a computer? Maybe those people...?

Anyway, so now I am the first one done with the exam and ready to wait patiently to get my results...which will probably take another 30 minutes. Of course there is absolutely no systematic approach to anything at the DMV except when they are ready to take your money. I was the first one to finish the exam and the last one to get the results. Unlike any normal critical thinking individual, the "terribly bright" young lady behind the desk worked from the top of the pile instead of the bottom. Obviously she has nowhere else to go for the moment...hey she is at work already. So, the 30 minutes go by and finally a co-worker comes by to help out. Well, it doesn't necessarily mean anything will move any faster you know.

Needless to say I passed the test with 100%. Got my number and went to the larger section where you see all those A, B, C & D red numbers light up on the wall and go to one of the 25 windows to be served or serviced. Of course there were only 5 people in the A group ahead of me. I was called in within the next 10 minutes, gave the City of New York my $73.00 and walked out of the Department of Motor Vehicles with my new NYS Driver's Permit. Mind you the $73 I just paid covered the following charges:

$9.00 for an MCTD fee (don't know what that is)

$25.00 for a Photo Document Fee

$29.25 for a License Fee

and

$10.00 for an Application Fee

I wonder what the City of New York would do without all those fees? Mind you, the DMV had photo on record for me already that was only 2 yrs old from my non-driver's ID. Did they really have to charge me another $25.00 fee to take my photo again? Oh, wait, that might be the fee so they can make the photo document. But then what is the license fee for? And MCTD??? What's that all about.

So, to wrap this all up...I got there at 9:30 am and left around 12:30pm. Three hours to take a test that literally took me no longer than 10 minutes to finish. And another 10 minutes to pay for the test. That means I spent 2 hours and 10 minutes of waiting time. Trust me...I will make it my business to make sure I stay away from things that will cause me to visit the DMV, with the exception of taking my road test and getting my driver's license, and then the every 8-10 year renewal.

I love visiting the DMV....NOT!!!