A DMV Horror Story

Going to the Department of Motor Vehicles is never a fun thing to do. It was one of my least favorite trips back in New York. Outside of the kids who just passed their driver's license tests, everyone at the DMV is very angry from the employees to the customers waiting in line for hours at a time.

With that being said, I usually survived the experience with minimal damage. That was until I moved to California. Here's my story......

Admittedly, I didn't do my homework before arriving at the Salinas location on Thursday afternoon, but I thought I had a solid excuse - I've been driving for 17 years without any marks on my New York license. I figured that I could walk in, do a little paperwork, smile for the camera and be on my way. Ohhhhhhhhh Noooooooooo.

First my car needed a smog test. Apparently my 3-year-old energy efficient Honda Fit needs to be checked as does every car/truck in California. I'm all for improving the environment, so I wasn't that upset about doing it until I got the price tag - $52.

Next, I had to sign up for my California license. Again, this wasn't that big deal as my New York license was set to expire on my birthday in a few weeks anyway and my old picture makes me look like a cross between the Unabomber and Eddie Munster, so no problem. Price tag for this transaction - $28.

Now I have to register my car and the cost do this in New York is a $50 fee plus $15 for new plates for a grand total of $65. In California, how bout $225 - that's right I said $225. If you haven't guessed by now, I was steaming at the DMV today and it wasn't just because of the sticky weather outside. Total cost so far to get my car registered in Cali = $305.

After I get my picture taken, I find out there is a 35 question quiz. Again, I didn't do my homework, but I'm thinking it will be a cake walk, especially since you can miss 6 questions and pass. No - No, it wasn't and I missed 9 so I failed. By the way, I took this test standing after two hours of going from line to line and being handed various numbered tickets. From start to finish, my DMV experience totaled over two hours and guess what - I get to go back because I failed the damn test. I'm hoping I don't get charged another $28 to take it again, but I won't be surprised.

When I do go back, I will make sure not to go on the first, second and third Friday of the month because the Governator has decided to close the office on those days to save the state he's messed up beyond recognition some more cash.

In other news, there's a funny piece over at Starpulse.com about the "5 Most Stunning and Unbelievable Awesome Governor Arnold Schwarznegger Moments." It's a bit pro-Arnold, but it's still humorous nonetheless

http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2009/08/28/5_most_stunning_aamp_unbelievably_awesom

Now for tonight's tally from the road where it was too damn hot walking the precinct. Though many people weren't home, I was still able to get five new Democrats, including a member of something called the Peace and Freedom party. I'm also starting to learn more Spanish as I'm kicking myself every day for taking four years of French in high school. Bete - Bete.

CURRENT HIT TALLY

TOTAL OF 37 NEW DEMOCRATS

6 REPUBLICAN KILLS