topic Re: LICENSE RENEWAL QUESTION in Community Chat

LICENSE RENEWAL QUESTION

mousiegirl — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 20:26:11 GMT

I received a notice to go online to give information for license renewal. does this mean I should study the handbook?

Re: LICENSE RENEWAL QUESTION

Lisa Y — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 20:32:55 GMT

@mousiegirl wrote:
I received a notice to go online to give information for license renewal. does this mean I should study the handbook?

@mousiegirl The license renewal is to get the new driver’s license which has a yellow star in the upper right hand corner. You will need this if you travel on domestic flights starting next year (I think). Or you will have to use your passport for domestic flights. It’s a new requirement to prove you’re a US citizen. I don’t believe there’s written test if you already possess a valid driver’s license.

Re: LICENSE RENEWAL QUESTION

itsmagic — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 20:37:59 GMT

I don’t know what state you are in but in my state we can renew our drivers licenses either in person or online. There is no test. However to renew a license in our state that is travel compliant we have to go to a local office and bring extra documentation (like a passport) to prove we are who we say we are.

Re: LICENSE RENEWAL QUESTION

CANDLEQUEEN — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 20:43:48 GMT

In my state we have to renew our license in person, because there is an eye exam involved. We only have to renew every 8 years though..

Re: LICENSE RENEWAL QUESTION

Bri369 — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 20:43:51 GMT

When the Sect. of State sends the renewal letter, it should specifiy if you need to take a test or not.

We are allowed to renew online or by mail if no testing is needed.

Re: LICENSE RENEWAL QUESTION

goldensrbest — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 20:51:11 GMT

I have to do this also,got to find out what i need to bring.

Re: LICENSE RENEWAL QUESTION

proudlyfromNJ — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 20:51:18 GMT

@CANDLEQUEEN wrote:
In my state we have to renew our license in person, because there is an eye exam involved. We only have to renew every 8 years though..

@CANDLEQUEEN Same with my state except we are sent a card in the mail with renewal info. It can be taken to the eye doctor to fill out and then mail in. New license is then mailed to you.

However if you want the new type license you must go in person.

Re: LICENSE RENEWAL QUESTION

mimomof4 — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 20:56:35 GMT

In Michigan if you are able to renew online or through the mail you do not need to take a test. They just re-use your last photo and send a new license.

Re: LICENSE RENEWAL QUESTION

Cakers3 — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 21:01:53 GMT

@mousiegirl wrote:
I received a notice to go online to give information for license renewal. does this mean I should study the handbook?

@mousiegirl Nobody can accurately answer this question because we all live in different states.

So all these answers may not even apply to you.

The best you can do is go to the website of your state's transportation department or department of public safety; look on the letter for the website and/or phone number.

I've never heard of the written test or the driving test being required except for over certain ages but again that is state specific.

I do know that the licenses with the "gold star" are going to be required in 2020 to enter certain buildings and flying.

Re: LICENSE RENEWAL QUESTION

suzyQ3 — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 21:11:02 GMT

Yes, @Cakers3 is correct. You need to check your state's website.

Re: LICENSE RENEWAL QUESTION

BirkiLady — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 21:14:20 GMT

@mousiegirl Your Dept. of Motor Vehicles should have an on-line site with all of the information you need. Each state is a little different. Good luck!

Re: LICENSE RENEWAL QUESTION

mousiegirl — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 21:18:20 GMT

Thank you, I found the letter, and see now that I do have to go to the DMV to renew, but make an appointment online.

Re: LICENSE RENEWAL QUESTION

suzyQ3 — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 22:26:29 GMT

@mousiegirl wrote:
Thank you, I found the letter, and see now that I do have to go to the DMV to renew, but make an appointment online.

@mousiegirl, did you find out whether you have to take the written test? I just had to in order to renew here in California -- actually I'm switching to the Real ID once I get a certified copy of my marriage license. It's weird, but if you have ever had a name change, you need that. I hope my city has licenses going back that far. :-)

Re: LICENSE RENEWAL QUESTION

candys mine — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 22:53:44 GMT

They'd like you to START your renewal paperwork online. The site also gave you a list of things to bring as proof of citizenship. Fill it out, print it out, gather your identifying papers from the ample list provided and bring it with you to register in person. When I went, having my paperwork in hand, I didn't have to wait in line. they glanced at my paperwork and just gave me a number and had me sit right down to await my turn. It was less stressful then I imagined it would be. Brought my stuff for paroozal and documentation, eye exam, glamour shot and done. The New "REAL" license, that's what they're calling it, will be required for travel without a passport. The woman at the RMV said the next renewal can be done online.

Re: LICENSE RENEWAL QUESTION

mousiegirl — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 22:54:21 GMT

@suzyQ3 wrote:
@mousiegirl wrote:
Thank you, I found the letter, and see now that I do have to go to the DMV to renew, but make an appointment online.
@mousiegirl, did you find out whether you have to take the written test? I just had to in order to renew here in California -- actually I'm switching to the Real ID once I get a certified copy of my marriage license. It's weird, but if you have ever had a name change, you need that. I hope my city has licenses going back that far. :-)

@suzyQ3 Yes, the letter says I should study the handbook. I am more worried about the distance reading eye exam. I don't drive at night, and in the day if I go anywhere I am not familiar with, rarely anymore, the signs are large enough to see, so find this test annoying. DH failed his written test a few years ago, lol, so had to take it again. The questions are tricky, most are common sense.

Too bad an excellent driving record doesn't preclude having to be tested. I may be given the option of a Real ID when I go, not that I will probably ever need it now, but one never knows.

Re: LICENSE RENEWAL QUESTION

mousiegirl — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 22:58:55 GMT

@candys mine wrote:
They'd like you to START your renewal paperwork online. The site also gave you a list of things to bring as proof of citizenship. Fill it out, print it out, gather your identifying papers from the ample list provided and bring it with you to register in person. When I went, having my paperwork in hand, I didn't have to wait in line. they glanced at my paperwork and just gave me a number and had me sit right down to await my turn. It was less stressful then I imagined it would be. Brought my stuff for paroozal and documentation, eye exam, glamour shot and done. The New "REAL" license, that's what they're calling it, will be required for travel without a passport. The woman at the RMV said the next renewal can be done online.

@candys mine Born and raised here in Cailfornia I would think I wouldn't need proof of citizenship, but the world is a strange place now.

Re: LICENSE RENEWAL QUESTION

NickNack — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 23:10:51 GMT

@mousiegirl wrote:
@suzyQ3 wrote:
@mousiegirl wrote:
Thank you, I found the letter, and see now that I do have to go to the DMV to renew, but make an appointment online.
@mousiegirl, did you find out whether you have to take the written test? I just had to in order to renew here in California -- actually I'm switching to the Real ID once I get a certified copy of my marriage license. It's weird, but if you have ever had a name change, you need that. I hope my city has licenses going back that far. :-)

@suzyQ3 Yes, the letter says I should study the handbook. I am more worried about the distance reading eye exam. I don't drive at night, and in the day if I go anywhere I am not familiar with, rarely anymore, the signs are large enough to see, so find this test annoying. DH failed his written test a few years ago, lol, so had to take it again. The questions are tricky, most are common sense.

Too bad an excellent driving record doesn't preclude having to be tested. I may be given the option of a Real ID when I go, not that I will probably ever need it now, but one never knows.

@mousiegirl If you think you might want a Real ID you need to bring the documentation with you. Look up online what that documentation is. There are four separate things you need to bring and options for each. I'm planning on getting one so have just gotten my documentation together.

Re: LICENSE RENEWAL QUESTION

suzyQ3 — Fri, 20 Sep 2019 23:36:30 GMT

@mousiegirl wrote:
@suzyQ3 wrote:
@mousiegirl wrote:
Thank you, I found the letter, and see now that I do have to go to the DMV to renew, but make an appointment online.
@mousiegirl, did you find out whether you have to take the written test? I just had to in order to renew here in California -- actually I'm switching to the Real ID once I get a certified copy of my marriage license. It's weird, but if you have ever had a name change, you need that. I hope my city has licenses going back that far. :-)

@suzyQ3 Yes, the letter says I should study the handbook. I am more worried about the distance reading eye exam. I don't drive at night, and in the day if I go anywhere I am not familiar with, rarely anymore, the signs are large enough to see, so find this test annoying. DH failed his written test a few years ago, lol, so had to take it again. The questions are tricky, most are common sense.

Too bad an excellent driving record doesn't preclude having to be tested. I may be given the option of a Real ID when I go, not that I will probably ever need it now, but one never knows.

@mousiegirl, do you have prescription glasses for your problem? If so, you should be fine. Otherwise, if you fail the eye test, then you should get your eyes checked.

Decide beforehand whether you want the Real ID and read up about it online so that you are prepared.

A piece of advice about the written test: While it's always a good idea to go through the handbook online, I found that taking the DMV's samples tests really helped.

Also, there is drivingtests.org. It's for-profit site, but they do have about four tests that they offer for free. I took those tests several times -- very helpful. Don't fall for the spiel about paying them money for any other tests.

Once you go through their tests, you may find that you aren't able to repeat them. I wanted to take them several times, so I found that deleting the cookies from that site allowed me to repeat the tests again and again by just continuing to delete the cookies after finishing the set of tests.

Re: LICENSE RENEWAL QUESTION

mousiegirl — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 00:06:38 GMT

@suzyQ3 wrote:
@mousiegirl wrote:
@suzyQ3 wrote:
@mousiegirl wrote:
Thank you, I found the letter, and see now that I do have to go to the DMV to renew, but make an appointment online.
@mousiegirl, did you find out whether you have to take the written test? I just had to in order to renew here in California -- actually I'm switching to the Real ID once I get a certified copy of my marriage license. It's weird, but if you have ever had a name change, you need that. I hope my city has licenses going back that far. :-)

@suzyQ3 Yes, the letter says I should study the handbook. I am more worried about the distance reading eye exam. I don't drive at night, and in the day if I go anywhere I am not familiar with, rarely anymore, the signs are large enough to see, so find this test annoying. DH failed his written test a few years ago, lol, so had to take it again. The questions are tricky, most are common sense.

Too bad an excellent driving record doesn't preclude having to be tested. I may be given the option of a Real ID when I go, not that I will probably ever need it now, but one never knows.
@mousiegirl, do you have prescription glasses for your problem? If so, you should be fine. Otherwise, if you fail the eye test, then you should get your eyes checked.

Decide beforehand whether you want the Real ID and read up about it online so that you are prepared.

A piece of advice about the written test: While it's always a good idea to go through the handbook online, I found that taking the DMV's samples tests really helped.

Also, there is drivingtests.org. It's for-profit site, but they do have about four tests that they offer for free. I took those tests several times -- very helpful. Don't fall for the spiel about paying them money for any other tests.

Once you go through their tests, you may find that you aren't able to repeat them. I wanted to take them several times, so I found that deleting the cookies from that site allowed me to repeat the tests again and again by just continuing to delete the cookies after finishing the set of tests.

@suzyQ3 My eyes are fine except for very fine print, and the eye test is far enough away that when I am to read the fine print, I can't unless I put on my readers.

I have been taking the online tests this afternoon, and will continue for a while off and on, have many months before I have to go in, but won't wait until the last minute.

I have also read about the Real ID so know what is expected, what a pain.

I will look at the site you mentioned, worn out already, lol, hate tests.

Re: LICENSE RENEWAL QUESTION

patbz — Sat, 21 Sep 2019 00:14:24 GMT

@mousiegirl : I don't know your age but just from your description, you need to get examined for possible cataracts. The good news is that it you are at least 65 Medicare pays for exam, surgery and $150 towards a new pair of glasses.