[Nfbf-l] Bureaucracy To the Max: My Experience with the Florida DMVhow it works in the sunshine state

Sat Aug 4 19:24:59 UTC 2012

Hello Allen, Pat and all,

Good for you, Pat, getting your informative and good humored article into
the Matilda Ziegler Magazine. And to think we on the NFBF list heard it
first some months ago. I'm sure your tale of woe, plus what Mark has
written, will help all of us who will sooner or later have to go through the
dreaded ID renewal process!

Sherrill

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org]On
Behalf Of Alan Dicey
Sent: Saturday, August 04, 2012 1:26 PM
To: nfbf-l at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Nfbf-l] Bureaucracy To the Max: My Experience with the Florida
DMVhow it works in the sunshine state

Dear Friends,
This article appeared a few weeks ago in one of the most popular,
prestigious,  and widely distributed  electronic magazine sent out to Blind
or Visually Impaired people throughout  the United States.
Just what we needed another article portraying our State as less than the
optimum place to live.
I wanted to send this out sooner, but was very busy, with a move of
residences, and it slipped my mind, but I had a similar experience with the
Florida DMV, not as bad as this, but it was very uncomfortable so I wanted
to make others aware not to let their Florida State Identification Cards
expire or when they go to get a "State Identification Card" what to know and
what to expect.
My personal experience was that I  had such a hard time getting anyone to
understand that I was Blind, believe it or not, and that I needed
assistance.
Having a white cane in your hand means nothing at the DMV I went to, well,
you best know how to say you are Blind and need assistance in Spanish, and
hope for the best, let me leave it at that!

With Best Regards,
Alan Dicey
Miami, Florida
This is the Matilda Ziegler Magazine
Weekly Edition for July 2, 2012
Address: 20 Thorndal Circle
Darien, CT 06820
Local Phone: 203-604-8601
Toll Free: 877-424-5481
Website: www.matildaziegler.com
Email: editor at matildaziegler.com
Ross Hammond, Editor

Contributor Patricia Lipovsky - Bureaucracy To the Max: My Experience with
the DMV
I wanted to write and share my wonderful experience I had recently with the
Department of Motor Vehicles in the state of Florida.  Talk about
bureaucracy, this is bureaucracy to the max as far as I'm concerned.  I
don't know if it is the same in every state, but this is how it works in the
sunshine state.

It all started when my state ID expired.  Warning: If you do anything at
all, do not let your ID expire.  It will be one of the biggest mistakes you
make!

First trip to the DMV

I was told by a friend, even though my ID expired, just take it to the DMV,
and they will just issue me a new one.  Wrong!

Since there is a two hour turnaround time with my Para-transit, a very kind
lady from my church offered to take me to the DMV so I wouldn't have to wait
so long for my return trip.

I took my expired ID, as my friend suggested, which of course had my picture
on it, and after standing in line for about 30 minutes, was told it could
not be accepted because it was expired.  I then offered another ID with a
picture of my service animal and myself on it, but they still wouldn't
budge.  They told me I needed to come back with two utility bills, to show
proof of address, a social security card or birth certificate, and I would
be good to go.

 Second Trip to the DMV

About two or three weeks later, my very kind church lady and I went back to
the DMV, water and electric bills in hand, along with my two photo ID's, my
birth certificate, and got back in line to wait my turn.  I got up to the
reception desk with all my info, and after looking at it, was asked for my
social security card.  I explained I misplaced it, and the last time I was
there, was told my birth certificate along with the other pieces of
information I had would suffice.  She apologized, and stated my social
security card was required.  I could go to the social security office and
obtain a letter which they would accept, substantiating that I did have a
social security card.

Feeling very frustrated, since I truly thought this issue was going to be
resolved at this time, and had other things to do, I told my very kind
church lady friend that we would deal with this another day.  Once again,
she graciously offered to take me to the Social Security office one day the
next week, and then back to the DMV, which was exactly what we did.

Third Trip to the DMV

We went back to the DMV a week later, social security letter in hand, two
utility bills, two picture ID's, and my birth certificate.  I anxiously
awaited my turn, and after waiting approximately 30 to 45 minutes, got up to
the desk and handed the person my info.  After looking through it, she
stated my name on my birth certificate was not the same as on the other
pieces of information. My response was, "Yes, I know, I got married." Can
you guess what her next statement was? You got it.  She now needs a
certified copy of my marriage certificate.

Needless to say, at this point, I wanted to scream, but thanks to our Lord
and Savior, managed to compose myself.   I then proceeded to tell her that
this was my third trip to the DMV, and pointed out that she did have two
picture ID's right there in her hot little hand (well, I did leave the hot
little hand part out), with me standing right in front of her, verifying
those pictures, plus two utility bills which verified home address and name,
as well as my social security letter.  Noticing how frustrated I was, she
decided to check with her boss, and upon return, proceeded to apologize for
my inconvenience, but stated I would still have to come back with the
marriage certificate.

Frustrated, disappointed, and discouraged, out the door we went for the
third time, knowing I had yet another obstacle to overcome.

After numerous calls to New Jersey, I finally got to the correct office,
where I was told they would be happy to send me a copy of my marriage
certificate, provided I furnished them with a current driver's license or
ID.  Hmmm, another obstacle!  Long story short, I ended up contacting my ex,
who found it, and sent it to me.  Elated, I almost said "I love you," but
caught myself in the nick of time, as that wouldn't have been a very good
idea.

Fourth Trip to the DMV

So now my church lady friend and I are back at the DMV, with two photo ID's,
two utility bills, my social security letter, my birth certificate, and my
marriage certificate.  I once again, got up to the desk, feeling very
confident this would be the day I get my new ID, but there was yet another
glitch.  The marriage certificate that my ex thought was the original, was a
copy, and I was told she could not accept a copy.  Now, I could feel the
blood rush to my head, and tried very hard to maintain my composure.  She
obviously took note of my expression, knowing I had been there before, and
decided to ask her boss if she could accept it.  Luckily, for my sake, they
did, and I was finally able to go on my merry way with my new ID.

Now, let me say because of what happened with September 11th, and the
ever-present identity theft problem, I do understand the security issue, and
totally agree with it one hundred percent.  But what happened in my case,
though, I feel was overkill.  If I didn't have two photo ID's, which
obviously reiterated who I was, I could understand connecting all the dots,
but truly feel that wasn't necessary here.  Also, people who drive get
notified 2 months in advance that their license will be expiring.  People
with state ID's who do not drive, do not ever get notified.  What's up with
that?

Are people who don't drive less important? Do they not deserve equal
treatment?  Is this discrimination?  You tell me.
###

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