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My state-issued photo ID will expire next month (on my birthday). A few weeks ago, they kindly sent me a renewal form, with the information already filled in. (You can also download the form and fill it out yourself.) To renew, I needed the form, the old ID card, my social security card, and $9 (cash, check, or credit card), and I had to go to the DMV office. But not every office: round 1, I tried the one at Herald Square, and found a sign explaining that they don't do license renewals, go to the "License Express" office. OK, a mild nuisance, but it was on the way to work.
The License Express office is at 34th and Eighth, so also on my way to work. I got my boss's okay to be late to work, and went this morning. I showed the woman at the information/ticket desk my form, and told her that yes, I want a new photo. (The old one is something like a dozen years old, because they reused it last time, with a renewal by mail.) She sent me to the photo area, where I waited for one person before me to be photographed, and listened to someone else read a line from the eye chart (for an actual driver's license). The photographer looked at my paperwork, took my picture, and gave me a ticket (the same principle as taking a number at the deli counter). I walked over to where I could see the numbers displayed, and mine appeared about a minute later.
At that window, I paid cash, and asked about the organ donor option, which they had signs up about. She confirmed that I wanted it, and made a red X at the appropriate place on the form. I now have my old ID back, and a temporary card to, in theory, use while I wait for the new one, which I should have in the next two weeks. If the new card doesn't arrive by my birthday and I have any expectation of needing photo ID, I'll use my passport for a few days, rather than fuss with "here's the expired card, and here's the state's assurance that I'm getting a new one."
Elapsed time, about five minutes. Add a couple for walking the extra couple of blocks, and I was at work maybe five minutes late.
The License Express office is at 34th and Eighth, so also on my way to work. I got my boss's okay to be late to work, and went this morning. I showed the woman at the information/ticket desk my form, and told her that yes, I want a new photo. (The old one is something like a dozen years old, because they reused it last time, with a renewal by mail.) She sent me to the photo area, where I waited for one person before me to be photographed, and listened to someone else read a line from the eye chart (for an actual driver's license). The photographer looked at my paperwork, took my picture, and gave me a ticket (the same principle as taking a number at the deli counter). I walked over to where I could see the numbers displayed, and mine appeared about a minute later.
At that window, I paid cash, and asked about the organ donor option, which they had signs up about. She confirmed that I wanted it, and made a red X at the appropriate place on the form. I now have my old ID back, and a temporary card to, in theory, use while I wait for the new one, which I should have in the next two weeks. If the new card doesn't arrive by my birthday and I have any expectation of needing photo ID, I'll use my passport for a few days, rather than fuss with "here's the expired card, and here's the state's assurance that I'm getting a new one."
Elapsed time, about five minutes. Add a couple for walking the extra couple of blocks, and I was at work maybe five minutes late.
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