Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with driverslicense

My speeding citation has turned into a shit snowball.

desjardins — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:19:22 -0800

Please help me navigate a mess involving an expired car registration, a speeding ticket, a lost insurance card, a license held as bond and a omg I can't even think. This involves Illinois and Wisconsin. 1. My car is registered in Illinois and I have an Illinois driver's license. The registration expires today; the license is good for awhile.

2. However, I'm (technically?) a Wisconsin resident, in that I have a lease on an apartment there, but I work in Illinois and sleep half the week in Illinois and the other half in WI. This is meant to be as temporary as humanly possible until I can stay permanently in WI.

3. I did not renew the registration yet because I was planning to get my Wisconsin license & registration this coming Friday, and hopefully avoid getting caught for the next 3 days while it's expired. Before I can register it in IL I have to get an emissions test. Of course, there will now be a late fee.

4. I got stopped for speeding today in a suburb of Chicago, I could not find my insurance card, and so I received another citation for that & my license was taken as bond. My court date is at the end of December. My driving record is otherwise clean.

5. So, I can't register my car in WI or get my WI license until I have my IL license back, correct? It's my understanding that if you have a valid license in another state, you have to forfeit it to get a WI license. I don't know about registering the car.

6. What's the ABSOLUTE CHEAPEST yet legal way to handle this? I am broke, like really broke, and the thought of having to pay to register my car in Illinois and then re-register it in WI when I get my license back is really disheartening.

7. I am freaking out and not thinking clearly, see above about being broke.

Where is this powder coming from?

JakeWalker — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:48:56 -0800

What is the name of the technology that produces powder (that verifies authenticity, I suppose) when you bend a drivers license or other ID card? My friend has a New York Drivers License (maybe not the newest one, but still pretty new). If you bend the license, it releases a kind of powder, presumably to verify its authenticity. I'm really curious about the technology (and not because I'm trying to make a fake ID, it is just an interesting technique), and I'm having a hard time googling for more info. Does anyone know what this security technique is called? What other states use it? Where I can find out more?

Why does the SA driver's license have Portuguese text?

louigi — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 06:05:23 -0800

Why does the South African driver's license have Portuguese writing on it? As you can almost read in this picture, just below the words "Driver's license" are the words "Carta de conduçao". What is the history of this? The only thing I could think of was that this had something to do with the border war/occupation of Namibia and Angola, but I was unable to find any information about it.

Is it easier to get a driver's license in MD or DC?

cowbellemoo — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:47:26 -0800

Is it easier to get a driver's license in Maryland or D.C.? Which tests are easier? Which has less-fussy paperwork or bureaucracy? Will there be a probationary period for either? Asking for an adult friend who is likely able to prove residency in both MD and DC and wants to take the path of least resistance to getting a driver's license (all else being equal).

License Limbo

Falconetti — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 07:40:21 -0800

Help me figure out how to get a new driver's license. I had a DC driver's license and then moved to New York about two years ago. I became registered to vote in New York for the Presidential election. Shortly thereafter, my DC driver's license and social security card were stolen. I don't drive, so I've just been using my passport for an ID when needed, but in about two months I will need to rent a car and drive and I need to get this figured out. Both the NY and DC DMV have been giving me the run around and I am having a hard time figuring out what I need to do. Not having my social security card is making things a lot harder. I can go in person to either the DC or NY DMV.

I can drive here, yes?

xiaolongbao — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:36:22 -0800

Driving with an out-of-state license, valid for a state in which I no longer reside. I've been moving around a bunch lately. Got my PA driver's license renewed in CA just shy of a year ago. Now I'm living in NYC (~6 months) and haven't had the time to register/renew here yet. I'm going home to PA to visit my parents and want to drive a few places while I'm there. Is this technically legal? Am I likely to run into any trouble? I'm a good, responsible driver with no record to speak of. I don't have auto insurance, but my parents do, and I'd be driving their car. Am I way over-thinking this (probably yes)? Help me give my parents some piece of mind. On a side note, would I run into any trouble renting a car with my CA license?

Hopefully this was pretty clear and comprehensive - I'll be monitoring the thread closely to make any clarifications, as necessary.

Thanks Mefites!

How Can I Change Driver's License Address without Proof of Address?

Nedroid — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 10:53:59 -0800

How can I change my address on my driver's license if I don't have the proof of address that the BMV requires? I have roommates, and none of the utilities are in my name so I don't have a bill. I am self-employed, so I do not have a pay stub. Is there an easy way to officially prove that I live where I live?

(I am in Indiana, if that matters.)

____ is a privilege, not a right!

sixcolors — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 10:13:59 -0800

What are some LESS obvious things that can disqualify someone from obtaning a job, car, or an apartment? I think it's well known that if someone has a criminal record, they'll have a lot of trouble finding employment. Or, if you get a DUI, your driver's license may be suspended or even revoked. But, I'm sure there's less obvious things that can cut off your access to housing, transportation, and employment.

It almost happened to me a few years ago. My father is one of those people who do not like to put his vehicle documents in his glove department or anywhere else in his car. He fears that if someone steals his car, they may steal his identity also, or the thieves may locate his address and stalk him. When I was younger, I let him talk me into doing same thing. Well, I got into a little fender-bender, and the cop asked me for my vehicle documents. I didn't have them, and the cop told me that was a somewhat serious offense. I asked what could happen. He said, depending on my record, I could lose my driving privileges for a year and have to pay a $1000 fine. We did NOT learn about this in drivers ed!

Fortunately, nothing happened, but it was a wake up call that the possiblity of me losing my driving privileges was a lot easier than I previously thought. As I am transitioning into "adult" life, the fear of me not being able access (or losing access to) transportation, housing, and employment is increasing.

So, what are some less obvious things:

1. That could prevent me from getting a job...or get me fired?
2. That could prevent me from buying a new car, having my license revoked/suspended, or having my car repossesed?
3. That could prevent me from renting out a house or apartment?

NC is the weirdest state I've ever lived in.

All.star — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 13:59:57 -0800

Just moved to North Carolina. My husband is *trying* to get his NC driver's license, but they are insisting he have his social security card in order to do so. Why is this? He has a passport; why isn't this enough?

Renewing a lost expired drivers license?

AceRock — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 09:05:36 -0800

Renewing an old, lost, and expired driver's license out of state? I got a driver's license in Texas about 6 years ago and I lost in college about 2 years ago. I think it has since expired, and I now live in Chicago. Is there any way to renew it without having to go to Texas? How can I find out my old driver's license number? Anyone have experience with this kind of situation?

Replacing (quickly) lost California ID?

Pontius Pilate — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 14:10:18 -0800

Replacing (quickly) lost California ID? Resolving-friend's-freakout-filter: a friend of mine is currently in New York and will be there for another 2-3 weeks before going back to California. He just lost his California ID, which is the only form of identification he has. He does not have his passport (long story), so that's not an option. I am in California now, so I can send him whatever documents he may need (birth certificate?).

Google says that he needs to fill out Form DL 44 to replace his ID, but the catch is that he cannot do it online. The web site also doesn't say whether it is something that he'll need to appear in person for, or if it can be completed and mailed from another state.

What can he do to get a new replacement ID in time to return back to California? Bonus points if there is a way to get an actual photo ID rather than a temporary one.

Traveling tommorow and have lost my photo id. What to do?

jeremias — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:45:43 -0800

I have likely lost my drivers license and am traveling tomorrow morning. I'm with the family and am planning on contacting the airline and arriving early. But need some advice on what else to do to make sure I make it home. I have all my other id (credit cards, etc., although the only photo id I have is for a Costco card. Unfortunately, no other "govt. issued" id.). It's likely that my license was put into another bag and is thousands of miles away, so I'm not filing a police report which some online articles have suggested.

I'm flying on American from California to Boston and there's a transfer in Dallas (it's possible I will have to go through security here again, as we did this on the beginning trip).

Besides showing up early and being real nice, any advice on how to manage this?

Any reason to renew my driver's license if I plan to move abroad?

beautiful — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:30:12 -0800

Any reason to renew my driver's license if I plan to move abroad? I've lived in NYC for the past two years and have a Texas driver's license, expiring August 2008. By Aug, I plan to be living in Germany, for at least one year, if not indefinitely. I don't plan on driving in Germany, but it could happen for a road trip here or there.

1. Is there any reason I should renew my license? I hear that insurance rates might rise if I let my license lapse, but I'm not sure if I'll be driving once/if I move back to the US.

2. If I renew, should I renew in Texas or NY? And why? I don't plan to ever live in Texas, but my parents live there and take care of admin paperwork for me (mail collections, etc).

If I have two drivers licenses, are they both valid?

stilly — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 14:52:28 -0800

I lost my driver's license, got a replacement, and then found the original. I now have two drivers licenses. Are they both valid? Is there anything wrong with carrying the old one sometimes? A month ago I lost my driver's license, got a replacement, and then a few days ago I found the original. I now have two drivers licenses. Are they both valid? Is there anything wrong with carrying the old one sometimes? I use two different wallets, so it would be convenient to keep one license in each wallet.

Is this illegal? The old license is not expired... it is still good for three more years. Can I still use it sometimes? Would a bar turn it away if it scanned it? Both licenses have the same drivers license number.

If it matters, I live in Washington state.

Idiot, slow down

brevator — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 13:43:26 -0800

What can I do to improve my driving record? I was recently denied a job due to a less than ideal driving record. I've been given the opportunity to explain my side. I've already taken a Defensive Driving program, and by New Years Day, I should have 0 (zero) points on my license. I'm in New York State. What else can I do to improve, or at least show that I'm trying to improve, my driving record?

Should I wait to change my name?

catfood — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 08:30:45 -0800

Is my passport enough ID for travel? Is having my name changed on my drivers license & credit/debit cards before a trip a bad idea? I'm going on vacation to the at the end of August, and I want to make sure I have no problems getting to where I am going with my ID. I will be flying to Florida from Massachusetts and then taking a cruise to various islands in the Caribbean.

I got married in October of last year and have been very lazy about changing my name on my personal documents. The only thing that has my new name so far is my social security card. My drivers' license, debit card, credit card, passport, etc all have my maiden name.

Because of this, I booked both the cruise & flight with my maiden name because I know that you need to provide ID.

However, I have just moved to a new state and would like to get my new drivers' license and update all my bank info once and for all. I suppose I could wait until I get back in September but (1) I am supposed to have my license changed within 60 days of moving to this state, so I've got about 2 weeks left (2) I'm sick of all of the confusion my old name on my ID & financial stuff has been causing.

Do you think there will be any problems if I travel with my passport being the only document that matches the name on my tickets? I could bring my marriage license as backup proof of my name change.

Bendable driver's license? WTF?

delmoi — Sun, 27 May 2007 09:49:31 -0800

Why are New York driver's licenses made from a flexible material? And what is it? I'm looking at my sister's NY driver's license. It's made from this flexible, soft plastic-y material. It looks like vinyl maybe. My sister said it looked "cheap" and it kind of does, but it doesn't seem like a cost saving measure to me. What's the deal?

What can I expect at the Georgetown (DC) DMV?

juliplease — Thu, 17 May 2007 10:23:24 -0800

When is the best time of day/day of the week to visit the Georgetown (DC) DMV to convert my CA license to a DC license? I need to convert my CA driver's license to a DC license. I don't own a car so no need for vehicle registration, etc. I live in the NW so Georgetown's DMV seems to be the most convenient for me. (Right?)

Have you been there? Was it crazy and crowded? Does it take a long time? Any time-of-day, day-of-week recommendations? I'm working M-F 830-5 and need to minimize how much time I take off.

They're open M-F from 8:15-4, naturally.

Who has the time to renew their license the few days they move?

Anonymous — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 23:21:40 -0800

I moved to California 18 days ago, and just noticed that the DMV website says I need to get a California license within 10 days. I haven't... will I be subject to fines or penalties when I go to get my CA license? How can they tell how long I've been here? The DMV website says "You will need to register your vehicle within 20 days of becoming a resident to avoid penalties. You'll need to act even more quickly on your driver's license―you have only 10 days to swap your out-of-state license for a California one when you move here."

Has anyone taken longer than 10 days to renew their license in California? It's been a heck of a move and I just got furniture and Internet to search for the location of the DMV. That's my lame excuse. I can't imagine everyone is so diligent after a cross-country move that they immediately hop into the DMV to get a new license.

A side question: Are they going to take my good 'ol Ohio license when I get a California one?

Note of curiousity: How did people ever find the nearest DMV before the Internet?

Corrective Lens Restriction?

fogster — Thu, 07 Dec 2006 13:46:26 -0800

Lengthy question about corrective lens restrictions on a NH drivers license. There's I almost always wear contacts when driving, but sometimes forget. (I can see well enough to get by without them.) When renewing my license today, I didn't want to lie about wearing contacts, and really didn't want to remove, and then try to put back in, my contacts in the middle of the DMV, so I told her to just go ahead and put a corrective lens restriction on my license. Which leads to two related questions:

- If I get pulled over, am I now going to have to prove that I'm wearing contacts? How is this done? Do I have to remove them, or can they just look into my eye? Do officers check for this?

- If I ever forget and drive without them, what are the penalties?

(State is New Hampshire, if it matters.)

NYC Driving School recommendations?

mkultra — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 12:24:25 -0800

NYC Driving School recommendations? My fiancee has a valid out-of-state license (Illinois), and can drive, but isn't comfortable doing it, especially here in NYC, because she hasn't driven in around 15 years. We don't own a car, but are thinking about getting one, and this is a condition for doing so.

Any recommendations for a program? Bonus points if they offer some sort of short "refresher" course in lieu of a from-scratch course.

"Papers please!"

Smarson — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 07:59:03 -0800

Identi-Filter: How bad is it that I'm walking around with an expired driver's license? So my Oregon driver's license expired recently and now I'm wondering how a big a deal this is. I have a friend who carries her passport around with her because her license is expired (apparently some bar bouncers won't let her in with an expired ID). I think this is a pretty big risk since getting your passport stolen is pretty much the worst thing ever. However, what kinds of risks am I running by having this, my primary piece of identification, exist in an expired state?

The facts:
*I'm not driving, so no worries there.
*I'm moving to WA in about 2 months where I will change my residency to that state
*The driver's license picture is from when I was 15 (currently 24) and was renewed once with a sticker (that is now fading, as is the signature).

-Should I look into getting a NY State ID card?
-When I apply for WA residency, how much of a head ache is it going to be to have an expired OR license?

Need to get a driver's license...

Manhasset — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 12:21:43 -0800

Where is the closest or cheapest place I can fly to from Toronto, Ontario to take a driving test that, when I come back, the acquired license can be swapped or recognized for a full Ontario driver's license (ie, so I don't have to go thru that graduated crap)?

Reporting a (probably) one time medical event to Driver's License Medical Board?

Anonymous — Sun, 21 May 2006 11:57:55 -0800

Should I report a (probably) one time medical event to the driver's license medical board? A few weeks ago I passed out and experienced several minutes of convulsions, most likely because I missed breakfast and my blood sugar level dropped. A bit of glucose solution perked me right up and I've been fine every since. I've since been cleared of any problems by a neurologist and my family MD. The attending in the ER told me not to drive until I reported the event to the local (Texas) department of public safety and was cleared by their medical board. Both doctors I consulted repeated told me they could not tell me not to report this event, in fact they told me so many times they were almost certainly implying otherwise. I wouldn't have been surprised if they had winked at me. Also, an attorney friend I consulted was surprised I was considering actually reporting it, but again he repeatedly told me that he could not advise me not to.

Has anyone else run into a similar situation? Anybody receive a straight answer? The Medical Board website is under construction still and isn't very helpful.

Can I get a driver's license without a car?

IshmaelGraves — Tue, 09 May 2006 19:38:22 -0800

Is it possible to get a driver's license without a car? I've never had a driver's license. I had a limited permit many years ago in another state when I was 14, which has long since expired. I don't anticipate owning a car in the forseeable future, but it would make my life easier if I had a license and were able to rent moving vans, join the local car-sharing service, etc.

Is anyone aware of a feasible way to rent or otherwise obtain the use of a car for the purpose of taking a driving test? I live in Chicago.