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Your CA Driver's License Expires in March? Apply for it Now!
Image of new driver's license by California DMV
Image of new driver's license by California DMV
DMV lines used to be hellacious. Then things got sorted out for awhile and if you made an appointment, you could count on getting in and out fast. All that has changed and tedious lines are the new black. Wait times for license renewals have reached new highs since the DMV rolled out a new $63 million computer system on October 6th, according to the Orange County Register.
The fancy-pants new computer system is designed to change the way California drivers' licenses are made and will contain three photographs instead of two, a bar code with all your personal info attached to it and a laser outline of a California brown bear. The cost of that cool bar code and cute bear? $63 million and months of waiting for getting your license renewed. Months.
Orange County residents experienced the sting of the new system when tasked with renewing their licenses, a process that typically takes 30 days. Months after their licenses expired and months after contacting the DMV in timely manner about renewal, many drivers are being asked to wait another 60 days before the new computer system can give them their new, current licenses.
It's unclear what could happen to these drivers as they drive to and from work with expired licenses through no fault of their own. The DMV is urging drivers to visit their local DMV and get a temporary license. That, of course, means more lines.
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
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