A few weeks ago, I got a letter from the Texas Department of Public Safety, explaining to me that I was not eligible to renew my Texas Driver License online. Apparently, twelve years is the limit, and after that, folks have to show up in person to update their photo, signature, and fingerprints. The letter also explained that, to “enhance security, reduce the risk of identity theft or fraud, and protect the integrity of the issuance process,” I would need to verify my “social security number, identity, citizenship, and residency,” by bringing the appropriate documents with me.
The letter said: “In addition to a DL or ID, you may be required to provide other documents to verify your identiy, SSN, citizenship, and residency.
The following are some example documents you could bring as proof.
- For identity, your unexpired passport or birth certificate is recommended.
- For SSN, your social security card is preferred but a DD-214 or college/university transcript is acceptable.
- For residency, your Texas vehicle registration or vehicle title are examples of acceptable documents.
So, I started gathering documents. First, I knew exactly where my Passport was. I went to the drawer and, Ta-Dah! There it was. All safe and secure…and expired. I dug out my birth certificate. My social security card wasn’t in the first place that I looked, but it was in the second. And, I couldn’t find the vehicle registration or title, but I took my vehicle insurance card, which has my name, address, and the VIN numbers of the cars. And, I also took my voter registration card.
I clipped everything together (well, not the expired Passport), with my old Driver License (DL) on the top. I put them in a big envelope, to be sure I didn’t lose one of them on the way. I put them in my purse, along with a book to read while I waited. And went off to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
I got there pretty early, 8:30 or so, and the place was already filled. There were maybe 30 people, sitting in rows of chairs, waiting for their turn. It turns out that lots of stuff happens at the DPS. There was a check-in computer at the door with a list of possible reasons I might be there. Look for a Criminal Record, Schedule a Road Test (for getting a DL), Getting Forms, Reporting a Crime, and Renewing a DL. I punched my choice, and a slip of paper came out with a number (3027). And the computer said to go to the “Form Area.”
I had to ask a polite young man where the “Form Area” was, and and he pointed to a circular organizer with forms in it (that was right next to us). There was a very small sign on top that actually did say “Forms.” So, I got my DL form and began to fill it out. While I was working, a voice over the loudspeaker said, “Number 3026,” and gave a counter number. And I thought, “Hmmmm. Possibly I’m taking too long.” And, indeed, a couple of minutes later, they called my number and the space where I should go.
“I’m not quite done,” I said to the young woman there. “Oh, that’s OK,” she said. I pulled my nicely clipped together documents from the envelope, and she took my old DL, and began to punch keys on her computer while I finished up the form. Then, she looked at the form, verified a couple of things, then asked me to look into the eye test box and read line 5. Then I had to put my thumbs on a box which was supposed to capture my thumbprints. I had to try several times, but finally, we got me all printed. Then, she said, “Stand in front of the blue screen.” And she took my photo.
She printed out my temporary DL and handed it to me. And that was that. She didn’t ask for anything else I had brought. I’m sorry I didn’t time it. I don’t think it was ten minutes from the time I walked in the door until I walked out.
I’m assuming that, when she put my information into the computer, it showed that I was a resident of Texas/McLennan County/Waco, that my driving record was clean, and that I did not have a Criminal Record or any Outstanding Warrants against me. So, I guess I’m good for another twelve years. As long as I stay out of trouble.
Pay attention to advice and accept correction, so you can live sensibly.
Proverbs 19:20 (Contemporary English Version)
When the boys were growing up, I often said to them, as they were leaving the house, “Make good decisions.” I don’t know if my words, echoing in their ears, made a difference, but they have grown up to be very nice men. So I’m going to take at least part of the credit. And, actually, I sometimes say it to them even now, just in case they were thinking of making a bad decision. If you ask them, they might say that I said it to them every single time they left the house. And, sometimes, when they were walking around inside the house. (You just never know when a really bad idea might come creeping into one’s brain.)
And, a habit of making good decisions might just smooth one’s way through some transactions, like getting a new Driver License, without any hassle.
Let’s not forget the other favorite phrase often coupled with that first one: “I’ll be sad if you die.”