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Back in December the Department of Motor Vehicles admitted that things were taking a little longer than usual on their end. Well, actually, it was taking a helluva lot longer, thanks to a new computer system, that has seen processing times for licenses and other paperwork go up and up and up. Factor in furlough days, when DMV locations state-wide are shut down each month due to the state budget, and getting your license renewed can be the ultimate time suck. Recently, the DMV extended the number of days a temporary license is valid.
Upped from 60 days to 90, the change went into effect February 28th, and, says the DMV is "being implemented to better serve DMV customers." Some drivers have already applied for and received multiple extensions.
"The DMV is aware of the inconveniences that California drivers are experiencing while they wait for their new licenses," said DMV Director George Valverde. "By extending the life of the temporary licenses, we hope to lessen any negative impact so that Californians can continue their daily lives without interruption."
The delay in getting those new licenses sent out has to do with "manufacturing difficulties associated with the new security features on the updated driver licenses." Among the new features on your snazzy new license will be a third photo (instead of just two), a bar code that holds all your personal info, and a laser outline of a California brown bear. The DMV says they're working on getting the slowdown sorted out and the licenses being made and sent out to drivers faster.
"The state estimates that the backlog [of people waiting for licenses] is now down to 5,000 but acknowledges that it may be April 1 before everyone has a permanent license," reports the Daily News. Some people say they have waited over six months to get their photo identification from the DMV.