W2R
Moderator Emeritus
15 minutes is not bad!! I gotta tell you, though, here there is a way around even the 15 minute wait if you are in the mood to Blow that Dough. A few years back Louisiana finally decided to allow private companies to offer DMV type services, and they do, but charge more than the DMV (called OMV here). I think they charge an extra $16? Or something like that, for a driver's license renewal. But wow, it is sure worth the money.It was time to renew my driver license which I could have done by mail, but I wanted to get the new "real ID" version so's I would not have to carry my passport to fly domestic.
Made the appointment at DMV for today and took in my 3 needed types of ID, my appt slip and the renewal notice. All went well and I again passed the vision test w/o my glasses. I am good to go.
Regarding appointments, just do it. There was nobody in the appt line when I got there and the other line was out the door, around the building and into the parking lot. I heard the check in lady advise the guy she checked in that the wait from then would be 2 hours. You know in addition to the hour he spent in the check in line already. I was in and out in 45 minutes including the 15 minutes I had to wait after check in.
At the OMV, you wait for 5-6 hours standing in line (sometimes outside in the oppressive heat) with hundreds of miserable, angry, hot people who cannot afford the fee to get this done elsewhere. Been there, done that, never again. It's a nightmare that makes the unemployment office seem quite upscale, for example.
We have one of those private offices about three blocks from us with lots of easy, close up parking. Being a rich person who can afford the $16 fee, you then sashay inside where you are in a nicely air conditioned, peaceful space with no crowds at all. Sometimes you get seen right away, or else you get to sit in a nice, padded, comfortable chair for 5 minutes with a free cup of coffee and magazines to read. The employees call you "Sir" or "Ma'am" and use words like "Please" and "Thank you" liberally.
It's a great way to Blow that Dough!
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