AAAAAAAUUUUGH
I don’t like NJ. I’ve never been a fan of NJ, even when I lived there. Or maybe ESPECIALLY when I lived there. By far, the WORST things about New Jersey are all related to driving – the DMV, the interstates, the traffic, the auto insurance rates, etc. But OH MY GOD, this has to beat all.
Tuesday, I went to the Indiana BMV to get my drivers license and to register to vote. Well, primarily, to register to vote, since Indiana is a decision state and I’m excited about casting my vote here where it will really matter. So, anyway… after waiting in line, I had to take a written test since I’m coming from another state. 50 questions. Pretty quick but then I had to wait for the same person who was helping me before (instead of getting back in line). SIX people were helped while I waited for her to help some jerk with 18 forms to fill out. Finally, she’s free. 49 answers right. Everything looks good. Oh. Wait. The State of NJ says I can’t have my license. NEW JERSEY? I haven’t lived there for almost two decades! They tell me to wait. They’ll call. Oh, too bad, NJ is closed now. They gave me the number for the DMV (now renamed the MVC?) in Trenton.
Wednesday, I called Trenton. They wouldn’t tell me anything unless I could tell them the address that was on my license when I left NJ. Hmmm… ten minutes later after searching my paper files, Google Desktop saved me. I gave the lady my old address. She told me I have an unpaid parking ticket in Hoboken from 1989. OK, no problem. I’ll pay it. Nope! All this fabulous technology, but can I give her a credit card number and take care of it? Ohhh nooooo, of course not! I have to call the Hoboken Court for the details, mail Hoboken a check, get the receipt (by mail), MAIL the receipt BACK to Trenton with a $100 reinstatement fee, and then they will MAIL something to me that I can take to the BMV in Indiana to get my license. This whole process will take weeks. Meanwhile, I never had any idea this ticket existed AND I’ve had licenses in three other states since 1989 without it ever coming up.
Oh, and when I called Hoboken… she said the parking ticket would cost $14.
Here’s hoping I can register to vote.
{ 4 comments }
EW – remind me to never move to NJ
kats last blog post..I’m gonna have to get back to ya!
I had a similar experience when I finally went to get my WA state license. The state of TN (which I had not lived in for over 6 years) held me up over not having proof of insurance when I got a speeding ticket. I paid the ticket but apparently never mailed in the proof of insurance (which I had). To make a long story short, I had to dig up the original insurance policy and then I called the DMV in TN directly. After much bitching, I was able to FAX everything to get it straightened out so I was not without a license as long. Surely they have a freaking fax machine!
Bayous last blog post..Construction Zone
Stumbled across your site, started reading your blog and found this post…
Ouch, but I must tell you the Indiana BMV is no better – I had my license there back in ’92 while visiting family. Process wasn’t too bad. Even transferring it to California later that year. But I did get a ticket near Goshen in ’94 – somehow it went against my Indiana license, which should have terminated when I got my CA license.
Bad thing is, this JUST reared it’s ugly head this past September when trying to renew my CA license – there was a hold from the Indiana BMV – from the ticket 14 years ago… The process to fix it included mailing a certified check back and forth three times with the BMV because they kept changing what paperwork they needed from me – finally got it resolved, all in time to pay late fees and re-instating my CA license because it now was expired due to this.
Thank you Indiana BMV! I do love Indiana though, many friends and family there, just won’t be visiting the BMV or speeding across the 70 for that matter…
yikes Jeremy! You’ve given me additional incentive to not get any tickets while I’m living in Indiana.
Thanks for stopping by!