Humboldtian

Agreed. As I've mentioned before, I think the DMV has really improved over the years. Much of what needs to be done there can now be done online. If you have to go to their office to take care of business, it usually doesn't take long. Much improved.

Thanks Fred. The DMV hasn't just improved, they've accomplished a 180 over the past decade. From the most-hated state bureaucracy to a model of how government should provide service to citizens.

Actually it took almost three decades. DMV began to re-invent itself way back in the mid 1970's. It was very difficult, and to some degree it required waiting for managers raised in the old "public be damned" culture to retire. But DMV was lucky, because over the years they have been blessed with a series of some of the best department heads in state government who have gradually led the department into the 21st century. As Fred said, you can do a lot on-line via the Internet these days, including renew your drivers license. And like you, the last time I had to visit in person things moved quickly. I guess my main point is that any state agency could accomplish this given good leadership, but this is sadly lacking in most cases because department-head positions are political appointments passed out for support during the election process.

I remember a while back I read where someone gave a lot of credit to the DMV improvements to some gal that the Governator hired. Don't recall just what exact things she was supposedly responsible for but remember agreeing at the time that she did well.

Only problem was I read that on some discussion about how government employees are paid too much or not enough and the crux of the comment was that she was worth her extravegant salary. She has since moved on to some higher paying job, if memory serves me correct.

Thing is, as Hayduke mentions, the improvements have been going on for some time. Long before that gal's tenure.

Seems to me I remember having to renew my driver's license in person when I first got it. Now, I don't have to go in to their office but every 12 years or so and that's just to get my photo updated.

Didn't we have to take the written test each time we renewed back then, too. That went by the wayside back in the late '70s or early 80s, I believe.

At its low point in the 1980s, the CA legislature passed a bill mandating the DMV to handle customer business within 30 minutes of entering the building. Those entrenched bureaucrats at the DMV at the time were insulted by this, but those who replaced them took the criticism seriously and embarked on a years long process of continuous improvement that includes many of the programs mention in the various comments above. The first program was allowing (and encouraging) appointments.

Yes, many things can now be done online. But you can/t expect the DMV to be very effecient, as sometimes there are too many people waiting in line.

Yes, many things can now be done online. But you can/t expect the DMV to be very effecient, as sometimes there are too many people waiting in line.

Check DMVSMART.Com , it has easy links you can follow to Register your car or get a new drivers license online