My time at the DMV

To say that I am totally annoyed with the DMV would be a definite under-statement! Approximately a year ago, when we moved to Spokane, we had to register my car in the state, which was fine, my tabs expired in August, so it really was no big deal. As we did some research though, we found that the process is more complicated than it is in Idaho. You're supposed to have a copy of the title, or info from the Lien holder to prove that the car is actually yours, you can't just bring them the previous state registration, and proof of insurance, because you might be "lying"????

So after being pulled over 4 times, and re-explaining to each officer that yes in fact I do know my tabs are expired, I am just waiting for the paperwork from my bank, because the lovely state of Washington won't give me new plates. I finally make a trip into the DMV. They tell me, yes in fact I do need proof that it is my car, and what I have is not good enough... GRRRR!

So I wait, and finally get the appropriate paperwork from the bank. I go back into the DMV, and this little annoying pip squeak was working at the desk, and doesn't ask what kind of car I have, or what year it is. Just sends me to get the emissions tested on my car... My patience is wearing thin by this point, but I say, ok... I go get the emissions checked on my car, after I stopped at home to save our poor dog, who had been there all day by herself. As I pull up, they kind emissons man, says, no animals in the car ma'am. So I leave, go take the dog to Garry's parents house, and return to emissions. And, I passed!! YEAH.

Now back to the DMV. I make it back to the counter again, and the nice lady takes all my paperwork, along with my emissions results, and says, "oh, sweetie, you didn't need to do emissions it is only for even number years this year." I think I am going to explode. I look at the afore-mentioned pip squeak, and say, well then, why did he just tell me to go get them tested? He looks over, shrugs his shoulders, and says oh, well. RAWR! So I finally get my new plates, and the lady tells me that if I save the emissions testing I can use it next year when I renew my tabs. I decide just to get the heck out of dodge, because I want nothing more than to hit something at this point.


FAST-FORWARD ONE YEAR +2 Days.

I return to the DMV because my tabs are once again expired. I get up to the line and present all of the necessary items to renew my tabs. The man at the counter says, I'm sorry ma'am, but your emissions are 2 days too late. (This is Tuesday, so even if I had come in on Monday, they wouldn't have done it.) I explained to him they had told me last year if I brought in the paper that they would accept it and I wouldn't have to retest. He says "Well ma'am if you would have come in two days ago, we could have worked something out." So the other gal at the counter made a call to some higher being, and reiterates no ma'am, you will have to go get emissions tested again. I attempt to explain to her my frustration because of what had happened the previous years, and she doesn't even look me. "Have a nice day ma'am."

As I leave, I am so angry. Not because I have to get emissions tested on my car again, that is pretty much my own fault. And I really do recognize that. My frustration comes at the lam-o people who work there, and could really give a crap that they totally make life harder than it needs to be. If someone would say, oh, I'm sorry, they made a mistake, and unfortunately it needs to be done this way.... I would totally say, ok, be annoyed, and get over it. The best part of the whole scenario was as I was leaving the parking lot, and saw their stupid sign that said "Hassle Free." It made me laugh, and now that I have successfully vented, I can be over it!