Get your news from a source that’s not owned and controlled by oligarchs. Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily.

I have an appointment this morning to renew my driver’s license. If you never hear from me again, at least you know what happened.

10:30 UPDATE: The DMV has no record of my appointment. Also, if I had wanted a Real ID so that I can fly on airplanes, I should have brought my passport, Social Security card, and a current bill. I have none of that. Anyway, without an appointment I have to go off to a little room and fill out an application on one of the computers.

10:45 UPDATE: All done!

10:46 UPDATE: I’m at the first window. Do I have my confirmation number? No. You should have written it down. There’s a pen at every station. What was I supposed to write it on, my hand? Oh, they’re supposed to give you a piece of paper. They didn’t. Can you look it up by my last name? No, sorry, here’s a piece of paper. Do it again.

10:53 UPDATE: My second attempt was successful and I have been assigned # G249. We are currently serving # G193.

11:15 UPDATE: We are up to # G219.

11:40 UPDATE: For some reason, the G series has stalled at #G248.

11:49 UPDATE: # G249 has finally been called!

11:54 UPDATE: No credit cards are allowed. Only cash and debit cards.

11:55 UPDATE: Off to the camera line.

12:04 UPDATE: Done. That’s 94 minutes from start to finish. Is that good or bad these days?

Keep us relentless, independent, and free to read.

For 50 years, Mother Jones has offered honest, investigative reporting you can rely on:

    • Relentless in the pursuit of truth, unafraid to hold the powerful to account

    • Independent from influence or agenda from oligarchs and corporations

    • Freely accessible to every reader, never behind a paywall

But we can’t do any of this without you. Reader support powers our newsroom to stay nimble and fearless, ready for whatever story comes next. If you can, make a donation today.

Keep us relentless, independent, and free to read.

For 50 years, Mother Jones has offered honest, investigative reporting you can rely on:

    • Relentless in the pursuit of truth, unafraid to hold the powerful to account

    • Independent from influence or agenda from oligarchs and corporations

    • Freely accessible to every reader, never behind a paywall

But we can’t do any of this without you. Reader support powers our newsroom to stay nimble and fearless, ready for whatever story comes next. If you can, make a donation today.

We Recommend

Latest

Sign up for our free newsletter

Subscribe to the Mother Jones Daily to have our top stories delivered directly to your inbox.

Get our award-winning magazine

Save big on a full year of investigations, ideas, and insights.

Subscribe

INDEPENDENT. BECAUSE OF YOU.

Mother Jones has no billionaires calling the shots—just readers like you making fearless reporting possible

Donate