My husband has been asking me for the last three years of our marriage if I’ve gotten my Texas drivers License yet. Each time, I’d point out that I still had time before my original Goergia license expired- and that I would indeed get around to it. I was procrastinating. Clearly there are a lot of reasons to want to avoid the Department of Motor Vehicles – but I had an extra one.
The license I have now was my very FIRST drivers license!! It’s the picture of me, after I happily aced my drivers test . And now that situations have conspired to force me to get my Texas license immediately, I will have to hand over that special piece of memorabilia! I know they wont let me keep it- it says so on their website. And not only will I be handing them that first piece of my driving freedom, but I’ll also be surrendering the last official document that had my maiden name on it. Boo!!!! I didn’t want to keep it forever!! Just for one last year!
So this week… I’d like you all to play the tiniest finger violin for me. And picture me in a gigantic never ending line, with a screeching toddler, and a million forms I have probably filled out incorrectly. And pity me. I will be officially saying goodbye to my last vestige of youth….
Goodbye youth!!! I’ll miss you!!! You were wonderful, and I really enjoyed our special times together!!!
*and now I pout*
About Shannon SchmidShannon traded in her sensible NYC TV producer shoes (they were best for taking the subway), for a pair of Texas Cowboy boots when she married her best friend! He's at fault for making this Yankee a Texan! Shannon writes about all things that make a house a home. Her chief blogging inspiration is being the proud & slightly neurotic mom of a preschool age daughter.
You can find Shannon on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and her new favorite place to hang out, Google+.
I’m playing my violin over here. I had my original one for 20 years. We were in the military and never had to renew until… recently. I had waited 6 months past the expiration date and I had to take my first written test in 20 flippin years. I was sweatin bullets, but made it out ok. Whew!
@alicia, Thanks for the violin playing Alicia! I would have been sweating bullets too! So glad you passed!
ugh. My previous DMV photo was GREAT. It was like a professional headshot…people were AMAZED at how good it looked. BUT every 10 years (I think) you have to get a new one. I had it taken last January when I had very dark colored hair and a big sweater and scarf. It is HORRID and to make matters worse it doesn’t look like me at all (thankfully) except that whenever I have to show someone my ID they look at me two or three times and say something because it really looks like I have a fake ID…except NO one would fake something that hideous looking.
@Texasholly, Determined not to make the same mistake you did…I did not wear a sweater or scarf to my picture this morning. I’m sad to say that didn’t help. The picture snapped in the two seconds I was apparently scowling for no reason. Awesome. lol.
Yuck! My first one was great too, I loved it. My license got stolen and I had to change my name so, I had to get a new one that I HATE. My hair is awful and my cheeks are red because it was so hot. Good luck with your DMV experience!
If you go really early in the day, like when they first open it shouldn’t be too bad of a line.
.-= Christine´s last blog ..Friendly Friday! =-.
@Christine, oooh, I have only seen the black and white version of my new picture- but I bet my cheeks will be bright red too! It was HOT! Darn it! Didn’t think of that!
BUT at least Texas doesn’t put your weight on it like Louisiana does – hence my still driving with a TX license after having lived here almost 2 years. Sure I’m going to lie about my weight on my license but I’d like to still loose a few more tens of pounds so it will at least be a more believable lie.
And FYI: if you get a really good picture in TX at least you can always renew online before it expires and they’ll send you a new license with the same picture. Seriously. I should know I did it like 3 times.
@Leiah, Thank you texas for THAT!! That is CRAZY!!!
My South Carolina picture is horrible. Thankfull I went to the DMV on a slow day.
@JDaniel4’s Mom, Yeah, a slow day is like gold at the DMV:)
My suggestion is to go to the DMV early early when no one else will be there, be the first on line and bring your paperwork with you (here you can print it off the internet first)
@Danielle, I was totally there within 20 minutes of them opening- before 8am. There was a line out the door and around the building. For realz.
hey! it’s time to do this. make a copy of the GA DRIVERS LIC.for you to keep and laminate it.rosie
.-= rosie´s last blog ..extra yard views =-.
@rosie, I did it!!! It’s over, and I am a Texas Driver!
I feel your pain. I have to go to the DMV next week. We just moved out of state, and the company I lease my car from is giving me 4 weeks (two of which I have let slip by) to get my car registration and therefore my license changed.
I will have my 12 month old accompanying me. Gah.
.-= Beth´s last blog ..The Huntsman =-.
@Beth, I just got back. It’s super fun. Your 12 month old is going to have a blast. You’ll wish you could hang out there all day…lol. Believing any of that? 🙂
@Milk & Cuddles,
Just tell me that they had an indoor playground of epic proportions, with plenty of wine and cheese while I wait. 😉
.-= Beth´s last blog ..The Huntsman =-.
@Beth, Oh they did! And I can’t guarantee your DMV will do it, but mine was offering neck massages while you waited. Childcare provided as well obviously… 😉
…a time when I love living in my small town. DMV visits are under 5 minutes. Good luck!
.-= Jill´s last blog ..Colorado: The Wedding =-.
@Jill, Dear Jill- I’m moving to your town.
I’ve lived in three states, so I’ve changed my license twice from my original. The DMV wasn’t that bad, since a LOT of stuff is done online and by mail these days, which cuts back on the “traffic” at the office.
But I hear you about giving up the old license. My issue was that my NY picture was actually REALLY good! I looked fabulous in that shot. I would put it on Facebook as my main picture, it looked that good. The GA picture was OK. The FL one looks like a mug shot. 🙁
.-= Renee´s last blog ..Restraint =-.
@Renee, That sucks- maybe your next picture will start the cycle over again and you will go back to REALLY good again! lol.
I do feel badly for you! I used to keep my old driver’s id too but they don’t let you do that anymore. Boo.
Maybe you could just tell a tiny white lie and say you lost it! 😉
.-= kat´s last blog ..The Dancey Pants Family =-.
awww Shan! Sorry you had to wait at that darn place. I wonder if they would let you keep the photo though or something? its a nice memory totally! A few months ago I finally took off work and went to the NY one with Martin and I got a NY license, it was kinda sad!!! 🙂
.-= Nikki´s last blog ..back from Vacation & wedding pics! =-.
I feel you on this! Licenses are pieces of our history! I was really scared that mine would get confiscated too, but thankfully in PA they just punch a hole through it and give it back to you.
What if you pretend like you left it at home? (I’m always looking for ways around stuff like this, lol.)
Good luck to you!
.-= Erin Honestly´s last blog ..County Fair Preparations =-.
I would be “loosing” my license so I could keep it ;).
I got mine when I was 25, therefore I couldn’t wait to get a new one with a new picture!
I actually lost my newest one and have been dreading the task of heading to the DMV to get a new one.
.-= Allison´s last blog ..Aloha Friday #2 Guilty Pleasure =-.
For sure I am playing the violin for you. I hate DMV. In jersey we have 6 points of ID. Even tho I was renewing a Jersey liscence that I had for 21 years that was not expired, All of a sudden in 2008 they needed my marriage and divorce decree from my first husband which had been divorced from in 1979 to proove my 6 points of ID. Because my maiden name was diff from my first married name , diff from my second married name.. so many links in the chain, I had to DIG up .
Violin is still playing here!!! I hope you don”t have to go thru too much happy horseshit.
I really wish they let you keep it. And I joke that TN should have just kept my old one on file. I have yet to get it again, and we’ve been back in the state for almost 2 years.