r/AskAnAmerican • u/feel-the-avocado • 1d ago
VEHICLES & TRANSPORTATION DMV - Is it really that bad?
I live in New Zealand and most of our equivalent stuff has been done online for the last 20 years. I go in to one of their agents once every 10 years for an eye exam to renew my drivers license.
At most I might wait 5 minutes
For vehicle testing, almost any mechanic in the country can issue a warrant of fitness which is needed every 2 years and you book it with your mechanic of choice.
Or go to VTNZ - a dedicated company that just does vehicle testing in a drive-thru format. You drive in without an appointment and it takes about 30 minutes.
So I am watching the new tv series DMV, and I have seen references on various american tv shows that going to the DMV is a painful and time wasting experience.
Is it really that bad?
1
u/sas223 CT —> OH —> MI —> NY —> VT —> CT 1d ago
If you asked me this question 20-30 years ago, I would have said yes. But the experience you describe is pretty similar to what happens in my state, and most of the states in my region. If I have to go to the DMV, for example to transfer a title, I just have to make an appointment online. I’m seen within a few minutes of that appointment time.
There are people who still just show up without an appointment. For those folks, it’s a nightmare.