Help! DMV anxiety here.

[Jamastiene]

I'm one of those people who does ok on most test, but trying to get my license 8 years ago was nerve racking and I had to try the written part 3 times before I passed it. It got to the point that I dreaded the DMV. Now, my license is due to be renewed by this Sunday. I'll spare you the details of my porcelain throne and how I've been hugging it for comfort today. I'm going in the morning. Any hints or tips or help to make myself appear to be less "guilty of something" would help. I'm NOT guilty of something, but I am one of those people who appears to be at all times, especially when nervous. What will I need to take besides my current license with my hideous picture on it? Btw, I've moved. So I have a cable bill ready showing just how much of a tightwad I am only suscribing to basic cable because the rest isn't worth paying for. I only need a few channels to see Bush's ugly mug too many times in this lifetime. Oh, I'm so nervous. And nauseated. Please tell me some of you have tips on how to get through this without internal substances on my chin for the new picture assuming I make it that far into getting my license renewed. Somebody save me. There must me an easier way. I'm too nervous.

[Kire]

1. Get some psychiatric medication?

And take comfort, it's not called the DMV in New Jersey anymore. It's the MVC, for Motor Vehicle Commission. Doesn't that make you fell so much better? Maybe you could lobby for the name change in your state and you get to testify to the state legislature about how the "DMV" causes this much distress. As long as you're not a shy public speaker, that is.

:evilgrin:

[Jamastiene]

2. I'm taking my meds.

Honest I am. I'm still so neurotic about the local DMV. I have nothing to compare them to but the women there are mean. I have the strong urge to just go in there and drop to my knees to begin with and beg for mercy. I'm that scared of them.

I am a sort of shy public speaker, only because I can't talk loud enough for people to hear me. I'm actually talkative, but just very quiet like...

[Kire]

3. so you have to take a test or what?

I haven't taken any more tests, save one eye exam when I moved out of state, since I got my license 13 years ago.

[Jamastiene]

7. I don't know what they will make me do.

That's a big part of it. This is actually the first time I've done a renewal of my license. I haven't a clue what they will do to me. I have a feeling though that if they say "Jump", I'll say "How high?" They are scary women. :scared:

[Kire]

11. self-fulfilling prophecy

I renew every four years, and I didn't have to take any tests or anything. Sounds like you've got a psychological problem. It's not going to be that bad. You can always ask for a supervisor if you need help.

[Jamastiene]

21. Well, yeah, I'm the nervous type.

My therapist said not to worry today, but sometimes my brain and my body go against everything I'm telling them to do. Thanks for telling me about the check thing.

[latebloomer]

4. Imagine yourself going thru the whole process

very calmly and serenely, with everyone being nice to you. Picture it vividly.

And remember-- you don't have to take any tests this time. Just stand in line, wait your turn and smile pretty for the camera.

As for what you need to take with you, check out their website.

[Jamastiene]

9. Thanks.

That's good advice. That way I won't go in unprepared and make them angry...They do have tempers. They first time I ever went. The one woman had this guy ask her something about what he missed on the test and she went off on him. I thought she was going to throw things at him. All he did was ask for clarification on the question he missed. He even said that word, "clarification" when he asked her. I heard her yelling at him all the way in the waiting area. I've never forgotten it. I have since decided to only speak to them when spoken to first by one of them and pray it's the fairly nice one and not the temper throwing one.

[The_Casual_Observer]

5. You're not alone.

This is a path traveled by the rest of humanity every day. By the end of the day tomorrow you will have your license.

[Jamastiene]

10. That puts things into perspective.

How'd everybody else do it though? I'm curious.

[Kire]

14. how?

you stand in line. you wait. you don't fall apart. and you answer when they call your number. then you're done. you go home. and log on to the lounge. and you tell us how you did it.

[Jamastiene]

19. I hope so.

I really hope it goes that easily. They make me nervous. I've never forgotten the yelling. I've always been nervous about the whole license thing. I'm a speed limit following driver because deep down I feel better safe than sorry. It annoys people but I can't help it.

[u4ic]

6. I'm clueless

what else needs to be done other than getting a picture taken? (which is pretty nerve wracking in itself)

I have to get mine renewed by the end of this month...I just go to the registry office, wait till my number is called (5, 10, 15 minutes), pay, then they take a pic and I've got my new license...

Good luck!

edit: just wondering, as I'm in Canada.

[Jamastiene]

13. I guess I'm just the nervous type.

If you saw my picture on my last license, you'd see just how true what you said about the picture taking part is. I may inadvertantly break the camera. I need a haircut this time too. Things have been so screwy lately that I haven't had time to cut it. Once again, I'll have a picture made with longer than normal scraggly bands in my eyes or parted with the zit in the middle of my forehead that only pops up when a camera will be in the picture in my very near future...

[u4ic]

18. Is the DMV unusually busy, with rude staffing?

I've heard other people with concerns about it, but as I said earlier, it's always been a breeze up here.

I'm sure you'll be fine...and do remember...nobody ever looks good in a license photo! ;-)

[LeftyMom]

8. Can you check thier website to see what papers you need?

Do you have to retest or just go in to give them some cash and get a new picture?

Don't worry about seeming guilty- the lady behind the counter at the DMV can't do anything more than grump at you and take her time if you have all your paperwork. If the staff at your local office are unpleasant can you go to a different office or get somebody to go with you?

[Kire]

15. bring as much id as possible

birth certificates. passports. social security cards. utility bills to prove you're a resident. and a checkbook (they won't take cash or credit).

[Jamastiene]

20. I didn't know they wouldn't take cash.

That should help a lot. I would have waltzed in there with cash and no checkbook if you haven't told me. Thanks.

[Kire]

22. I didn't either once.

And I lived 45 minutes away from the DMV.

[Jamastiene]

16. I'm hoping my stepfather will have time, but I might

have to go it alone. My mother doesn't understand why I'm nervous either. She wasn't there the very first time I ever went. I don't think there is another one for this area. It's a smaller town, kinda. I don't know if I'll have to retest, but my imagination is just full of torturous things they could possibly do to me...

[FuzzySlippers]

12. Do you have to retake the test?

You usually don't, assuming your current license hasn't expired. Where I live, you need take only your old license. If there are changes such as change-of-address, they take your word for it. I don't know how it is in N.C., so taking proof of your current address might not be a bad idea.

Not sure why you're worried about looking guilty. They're not going to be suspecting you of anything nefarious. Really, license renewal is no big deal, and I'm a person with major anxiety issues.

Try to get a good night's rest.
:hug:

[Jamastiene]

17. Thanks.

I hope I can manage to sleep some tonight. Maybe the anxiety I have is really just my worry wart tendencies. I have these nightmares when it comes to something as precious as a driving license. I'd starve to death without one...

[RebelOne]

23. Well, in my state, Georgia, you do not have to take a test

when you renew your license. All you do is take an eye test, give them your old license and money. They take your photo and issue you a new license. Couldn't be easier.

[Jamastiene]

28. Turned out to be similar with the exception to the

road signs test. I got most of them right, but the ones that were just shapes messed with my head. I ended up screwing up on the last one (no passing) I said "yield" again. The lady let me try again and told me that most people do get that one wrong.

[Kire]

24. so how did it go?

[Jamastiene]

27. I posted a new thread about it. Hope

you enjoy it. Thanks for the calming effect. It really helped. I didn't have to write a check though. That part is good. It was helpful to feel prepared though. Your advice on taking the check book might have had a mojo/good luck charm effect on the whole thing. I want to express sincere gratitude to you and the others who tried to calm my silly butt down. Thanks. :pals:Here's a link to the thread about my experience at the DMV today...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x3805613

[One_Life_To_Give]

25. Wife renewed hers online

The wife just renewed her licence ONLINE. They don't require a new picture every four years for a ordinary drivers licence in Mass.


I am supposed to take a written test every two years. But that is for my licence to haul Methyl Ethyl Bad Stuff, Hazardous Materials. And an eye exam every 5 years. But again that is a Commercial Drivers Licence.

[landdaddy]

26. Just renewed mine

online also in VA.

[Jamastiene]

29. Wow

That would be soooo much easier. Wish I lived in a no nonsense blue state with practical laws. NC requires the signs test and vision test every time a license is renewed (every 5 years for some of us). We also have a very screwy due date for renewal scheme based on age that I totally don't understand. Here's a link if you want to see just how screwy it is... Btw, I'm not 100% sure why an "official" web site of the NCDMV would have popups ads, but they do, so I just wanted to warn you to ignore it. I made the mistake and clicked because it looked like a movie trailer ad, but let to some sweepstakes crap...Anyhow, here's the link so you can see just how crazy it is. I don't understand it.

http://www.ncdot.org/DMV/driver_services/drivershandbook/chapter1/renewalLicense.html#RDRenewal