It was a snowy, somewhat yucky day so I decided to get my driver’s license renewed. For years they gave us a two-month window — around different dates for different people — to renew it. And the length of time for the license varied. A few times it was good for four years, and once it was even good for eight. Last time they made it for only three because now I’m old to have my eyesight checked every year.
Anyway, I usually tried to go the first yucky day that I was allowed to renew — I figured the lines would be shorter and the renewal would be off my mind.
It seemed like a good strategy again, there were only three people ahead of me. I got down there about 9:45 and was out by 10:15. It would have felt like a success, except they changed their policy. Now my license expires on November 20, 2020 and if I renew it sooner it will expire on that new date. Sigh. It’s not a big deal, but it was nicer the old way.
How long are your licenses good for? Do you usually have to wait in a long line? Do you have to take an eye test?
November 20, 20120
Yes, we have to take an eye test…I think they are good for four years. If I check later and it is different I will come back and tell.
Andy’s and my problem is they want to check our eyes every year. That’s understandable, but a nuisance.
had to look it up…been a few decades since I had one – seems like 10 years unless you are 75 and over….
https://www.nzta.govt.nz/driver-licences/renewing-replacing-and-updating/renewing-for-seniors/
Thanks! 10 years makes sense except for us oldsters.
mine is good for 4 years. as I get older it might change. I don’t know!
but I only just drive to the PO and/or the grocery store and back!
Michael always picks me up to go eat now. it’s easier to deal with the parking!
glad you got it done though. at least for another year!
Thanks. Fingers crossed I pass the test again next year. 😀
Mom thinks license renewal is one of the worst experiences of all. Things here have gotten better because now you can use an app and sign in from home. They give you a time to arrive and then the wait isn’t too bad. She thinks they are good for four years or so, and vision tests are required.
That sounds a lot better than it was. It sounds as if they are trying.
Usually it’s every 3-4 years. The length of time it takes to get the license renewed in person takes on average at least 1 1/2 hours. But most of the time we can renew by mail and I heard they just started allowing people to book appointments to renew.
I love your logic on timing it with the first snow. I would not have thought of that.
Our MVD lets people renew by internet or mail, I think, unless we’re old enough to need to get our vision checked every year. It would be nice if we could just a note from our eye doctor and mail it in.
Vision tests after 80, and renewals are every two years after that, I believe. It’s quite strict here—lots of consciousness about driving safety. Wow, lots of snow there, and quite early, too!
You’re lucky it’s two years, not one like here. I understand why they do it, but it’ll be a nuisance.
Mine is good for 4 years and I never have to take an eye test. The place we go to get it renewed has strange hours but I try to get there very early so I can beat the lines. Usually I’m not there too long
You’re lucky!
A UK driving licence is valid for ten years until the age of seventy, when it has to be renewed every three years. I don’t wait in line, I just post the application to the driving licence centre in Coleraine, Co Londonderry (or it can be renewed online). No, I don’t have to take an eye test, I only have to declare that my eyesight is okay. But there’s talk of bringing in a compulsory eye test for the over-seventies, after a survey found that many elderly drivers have defective eyesight.
Lucky you!
Every four years. Yes, eye test. We go to a facility that has a *take a number and be seated until they call your number* system. I read while waiting so it never seems as long as it probably is.
At least it’s only every four years. 🙂