Driver’s License Advice

Stuff I Didn't Do

Thanks for your well-wishes. I’m feeling much better this week!

Now I need advice.

The current picture on my driver’s license is a really good one… of my 19-year-old self. It looks so little like me that, on occasion, I’ve been asked to provide a second form of ID. My license is set to expire in January, and I can’t decide whether to renew in person or by mail.

If I go to the DMV to get a new picture, I have to deal with (a) Finding time to go, (b) DMV hassles, and (c) The risk of getting a really BAD picture. If I renew by mail, I’m stuck with the old picture for another 10 years (unless I decide to get a new picture before the next renewal).

Any ideas?

posted by Melanie on 11.14.06 @ 5:25 pm |

9 Comments so far
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Eventually, the DMV will make you get a new picture. I had the same one, from when I was 16-years-old (!) for what seemed like forever. Then one year they said I had to come in for a new one. So don’t worry, you won’t have it for 10 more years.

Also…the DMV isn’t such a hassle anymore…you can make appointments online too. And if you have AAA, you can take care of it there!

By Hilary on 11.14.06 7:47 pm

yea, it’s not as bad as it used to be!! when i lost my license awhile back, i made an appt online for around 5pm, and i was out of the dmv by 5:30. it was so quick that i was quite surprised. gluck!!

By suki on 11.14.06 8:24 pm

Thanks for the advice! I’m mostly worried about getting a really bad picture. (The old one was pretty good). I’ve decided to just go ahead and get a new picture, so I scheduled an appointment for a few weeks from now.

By Melanie on 11.14.06 10:10 pm

Generally I just try not to go during lunch as the couple times I have there’s always been a crowd and others have told me of similar experiences. As far as picture quality goes, I’ve seen links to webpages that tell you how to look your best for the camera. Someday I should probably take a look at that :-D

By James Cooper on 11.15.06 9:53 am

I think the DMV has special equipment that can sense when you’re looking your worst and snaps the photo then. Are there any links on avoiding that?

By Melanie on 11.15.06 10:57 am

My mother’s ID features her with brown hair. Obviously you can go for quite some time…

By Cousin Mace on 11.16.06 12:40 pm

Things have improved at the DMV since they implemented better queues and appointment options. I walked into the DMV on Monday w/o an appointment to get my registration renewed. I was walking out with my tags within 20 minutes. Even if you show up late/early the day of your appointment, you can still get priority treatment.

By Kolby on 11.17.06 10:44 am

I somehow always have good driver’s license photos (I’m 3 for 3!). Some tips from a pro: wear makeup, do your hair, and wear something that looks good on camera and doesn’t clash with the dmv’s bright blue screen. (Now I sound really obnoxious, huh?) And the DMV services at AAA are definitely better.

By Amy on 12.01.06 6:14 pm

The DMV appointment is tomorrow. Those are some great tips I’ll keep in mind.

By Melanie on 12.04.06 11:10 am

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