I've posted a couple of rants about poor quality DMV service; you know, the kind they are infamous for.
Today may change my perception of the DMV, at least in North Carolina. I got fantastic service today, from two seperate offices on the same day.
It so happens that my license expired yesterday. My tags were also up for renewal. I took off from work early to attend to it, figuring it'd take half the day. It did, but because of my mistakes. But I digress.
North Carolina does something rather stupid: you go to the DMV to get your license, take your drivers test, etc. You go to the Plate Agency to get your title and tags. North Carolina contracts that service to private vendors (2 of whom in my local area were recently shut down for shady dealings. But I digress).
The gal at the DMV was great. I had to wait about 45 minutes in line (it was busy). The gal sat me down at her station, did the eye test and made me sign the form swearing I would notify the DMV if I were ever convicted of a child sexual offense (I'm not kidding btw--they make you sign such a form now). Process took all of about 5 minutes. Time to pay. I brought a check, knowing they don't take debit/credit cards.
Gal looks at it, "Does this bank have a branch in North Carolina?" Oops. " One of my banks is Washington Mutual (now Chase).
Me: I don't think so. They got bought out by Chase. I don't know if they have a branch here.
Gal: Where do you make your deposits
Me: I have an account at the credit union, but I couldn't find my checkbook (true).
Gal: Well, I can't accept this if they don't have a branch here.
Me:
Well, the gal told me where I could find an ATM so I could pay cash.
Me: will I have to wait in line again?
Gal: No, just come on over to my desk when you get back.
Me:
So I truck on out and get the cash to pay up. Get back, she's just finished with another customer, takes me right away and gets me squared away. Total time, 5 minutes.
So, then I head on down to the plate office to get my plates. Got lucky, no one in line (it's usually pretty busy). Guy is in a joking mood. I tell him why I'm there, and that I've misplaced the renewal notice the DMV sent me.
Guy: can't help you.
Me: I've got my registration cards, can you use those?
Guy: I'm just kidding you. We can do it if you just give us the tag number.
Me: *whew!*
Guy: Uh, oh, do see a problem. You need an inspection.
Me: (Oh, crap. Forgot all about the inspection). OK, I'll get it an come back. By the way, I really need to use a restroom. Do you have a public one?
Guy: Sure *points it out*
It was locked. When I went back out, he saw me, "Hold on, I'll get the key" and let me in to use it.
So I go on out to get the inspection done. That took the most time since I decided to get an oil change while I was at it. Oops! I look at my watch and realize it is 20 minutes before the plate office closes. I get in the car and head on back, and slip in 5 minutes before closing. Thanks the gods, no line! Same guy takes me back, and 5 minutes later I've got my new registration sticker and card in hand. Yippee!
The whole process would have been a lot easier if I'd had my own act together
Anyway, thanks Ms. Bishop, and plate agency guy whose name I didn't get!
Today may change my perception of the DMV, at least in North Carolina. I got fantastic service today, from two seperate offices on the same day.
It so happens that my license expired yesterday. My tags were also up for renewal. I took off from work early to attend to it, figuring it'd take half the day. It did, but because of my mistakes. But I digress.
North Carolina does something rather stupid: you go to the DMV to get your license, take your drivers test, etc. You go to the Plate Agency to get your title and tags. North Carolina contracts that service to private vendors (2 of whom in my local area were recently shut down for shady dealings. But I digress).
The gal at the DMV was great. I had to wait about 45 minutes in line (it was busy). The gal sat me down at her station, did the eye test and made me sign the form swearing I would notify the DMV if I were ever convicted of a child sexual offense (I'm not kidding btw--they make you sign such a form now). Process took all of about 5 minutes. Time to pay. I brought a check, knowing they don't take debit/credit cards.
Gal looks at it, "Does this bank have a branch in North Carolina?" Oops. " One of my banks is Washington Mutual (now Chase).
Me: I don't think so. They got bought out by Chase. I don't know if they have a branch here.
Gal: Where do you make your deposits
Me: I have an account at the credit union, but I couldn't find my checkbook (true).
Gal: Well, I can't accept this if they don't have a branch here.
Me:
Well, the gal told me where I could find an ATM so I could pay cash.
Me: will I have to wait in line again?
Gal: No, just come on over to my desk when you get back.
Me:
So I truck on out and get the cash to pay up. Get back, she's just finished with another customer, takes me right away and gets me squared away. Total time, 5 minutes.
So, then I head on down to the plate office to get my plates. Got lucky, no one in line (it's usually pretty busy). Guy is in a joking mood. I tell him why I'm there, and that I've misplaced the renewal notice the DMV sent me.
Guy: can't help you.
Me: I've got my registration cards, can you use those?
Guy: I'm just kidding you. We can do it if you just give us the tag number.
Me: *whew!*
Guy: Uh, oh, do see a problem. You need an inspection.
Me: (Oh, crap. Forgot all about the inspection). OK, I'll get it an come back. By the way, I really need to use a restroom. Do you have a public one?
Guy: Sure *points it out*
It was locked. When I went back out, he saw me, "Hold on, I'll get the key" and let me in to use it.
So I go on out to get the inspection done. That took the most time since I decided to get an oil change while I was at it. Oops! I look at my watch and realize it is 20 minutes before the plate office closes. I get in the car and head on back, and slip in 5 minutes before closing. Thanks the gods, no line! Same guy takes me back, and 5 minutes later I've got my new registration sticker and card in hand. Yippee!
The whole process would have been a lot easier if I'd had my own act together
Anyway, thanks Ms. Bishop, and plate agency guy whose name I didn't get!
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