DMV

The day having started out so fine and me being in such a good mood I decided, after my cruising in the rain storm, to go and get a new Illinois Driver’s License. I prepared my paperwork and proofs of ID. I gathered my birth certificate, voter’s registration card, utility bill, passport, canceled check and blood sample and drove to the DMV.

Upon my arrival I was greeted by NO line and a very friendly young man named Mario. I told Mario I needed a replacement driver’s license because mine had been lost. (Yes, lost…that is what you call it when the French confiscate your license and refuse to give you one of theirs in trade for 2 or 4 months!) I began to hand over all of my identifying paperwork and after looking at the first two, he held up a hand to stop me and said “This is all I need.”

I mentioned to Mario that my license was due to expire in December and could I go ahead and extended it. I expected to hear that I would have to take a test, but Mario just said “Ok.”

A little keyboard clicking, a 2 second pretend eye exam and a quick photo and presto chango, I have an Illinois driver’s license that is good until 2008! It took me 10 minutes.

Words cannot express….I mean 10 minutes…damn French!