Waiting at the DMV
Friday, November 28th, 2003I was at the DMV office the other day to renew my license. I could’ve mailed in my payment but I missed the deadline.
The DMV has a new system of servicing customers. Instead of having people form lines, people are asked to pick a numbered stub upon entry. They are then asked to go to the waiting area which now consists of rows of chairs for them to sit on. The rope and stanchions have been removed. A person approaches a window when his or her number is called out by an automated voice through the speaker system. The number of the window is also given. Several TV monitors also list the numbers and designated windows that have been called out. I think this is a much improved method of waiting at the DMV. Although the wait is still long, people are more comfortable and less stressed. One need only be attentive to his or her number being called.
I remember this one time I waited in line at the DMV sometime last year. When I came in, I was greeted by a line that snaked around the lobby and went through a hallway leading to the outside. So there I was at the end of the line. Less than a minute later, a middle-aged lady came and lined up behind me and let out a loud sigh. She then proceeded to let out a sigh every minute or so for the next forty-five minutes as we inched to the front of the line. I was thinking, “Lady, what do you expect? This is the DMV!”
I always come prepared when I anticipate long waits like this. I bring a book. Waiting in line is a great time to catch up on my reading. Unproductive time becomes productive time. Of course, with the new waiting system at the DMV I can’t be too engrossed with my book or else I’d miss my number being called!