I hate
Ok, it's not rocket science, I swear.
I've been to the damn DPS office three times trying to renew my stupid driver's license, which is now expired.
The first time I went, after I waited for 3 hours, they turned me away because I didn't have proof of my Social Security number. So I go back this morning with Social Security card (I don't carry it around with me because you're not actually supposed to, even though everybody else apparently does), wait another 3 hours, and get turned away because I didn't bring my proof of registration inside with me (it was in my car, outside in the parking lot). So I go outside, get it, come in again, only to be told I have to wait in line again. Around 2 hours into this second wait, they announce that the computers have gone down statewide and they cannot do any more driver licenses or ID cards until it comes back up. The room empties, since most people can't be bothered waiting. I keep waiting. I wait another 2 hours. It's still not up. The lady behind the counter is yelling out about every 5 minutes that the computer system is down, because people are still coming in. Somebody asked her how long is it usually down, when it goes down. She said sometimes as little as a few seconds, but sometimes 4 or 5 days. Somebody else asked her when is a good time to come, when are the shortest wait times. She said now is the best time, because everybody in line ahead already left; normal wait times are 3 to 5 hours.
So:
1. The State of Texas has no backup database server.
2. I'm going to have to have another day off work to do this, or camp outside the office one morning.
3. In a county with 800,000 people (estimated), there are only 2 drivers license offices, each with maybe 5 employees on staff.
4. In order just to renew a license I already have, I have to show them: my old license, proof of citizenship, proof of Social Security number, proof of vehicle registration, and proof of vehicle liability insurance (I don't know what they do if you don't own a car...). I think this is ridiculous.
I've been to the damn DPS office three times trying to renew my stupid driver's license, which is now expired.
The first time I went, after I waited for 3 hours, they turned me away because I didn't have proof of my Social Security number. So I go back this morning with Social Security card (I don't carry it around with me because you're not actually supposed to, even though everybody else apparently does), wait another 3 hours, and get turned away because I didn't bring my proof of registration inside with me (it was in my car, outside in the parking lot). So I go outside, get it, come in again, only to be told I have to wait in line again. Around 2 hours into this second wait, they announce that the computers have gone down statewide and they cannot do any more driver licenses or ID cards until it comes back up. The room empties, since most people can't be bothered waiting. I keep waiting. I wait another 2 hours. It's still not up. The lady behind the counter is yelling out about every 5 minutes that the computer system is down, because people are still coming in. Somebody asked her how long is it usually down, when it goes down. She said sometimes as little as a few seconds, but sometimes 4 or 5 days. Somebody else asked her when is a good time to come, when are the shortest wait times. She said now is the best time, because everybody in line ahead already left; normal wait times are 3 to 5 hours.
So:
1. The State of Texas has no backup database server.
2. I'm going to have to have another day off work to do this, or camp outside the office one morning.
3. In a county with 800,000 people (estimated), there are only 2 drivers license offices, each with maybe 5 employees on staff.
4. In order just to renew a license I already have, I have to show them: my old license, proof of citizenship, proof of Social Security number, proof of vehicle registration, and proof of vehicle liability insurance (I don't know what they do if you don't own a car...). I think this is ridiculous.