My New Driver's License - more to the story

In June I wrote about my history with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Department. Here is more to the story.

July - time for me to renew my driver's license. When I renewed four years ago it took hours. So, I was dragging my feet about going to the MVA Office and as a result came right up against the last day before my current license expired. This was the DAY.

I parked my car in the lot about 9:20 am. When I walked into the large room I was startled. It was empty. And changed. It had been rennovated since my last visit four years ago. Now the room was more open and brighter. I by-passed the rope line since there was no one standing there and went directly to one of the "stations". Before I could say a word the man motioned me to sit down and look into a small black box - the new approach to the old eye chart on the wall. While I was answering those questions he checked my form and pulled my record up on a computer screen, that I could read as well. I read the information and approved it, "yes its all the same."

"Stand up and look into the camera". That's when I noticed th blue fabric drape on the wall; across from it was the bold eye of a camera. "Smile." Click. Then I signed a small computer screen. As I wrote out the check for the new license the picture was processed, the signature captured and all of it embedded onto a laminated card. Voila - my new license to drive.

I was amazed. From start to finish - 15 minutes.

When I turned to leave I counted eight people standing in line waiting their turn.

Where did they come from? I must have stepped through the front door just before the beginning of a rush.

I left smiling and marveling at progress.