Category: Life

Surprises from the Minnesota DMV

1. If you have a license from another state, you must pass the written exam to get a Minnesota license.  Either because someone is an idiot, or because the laws in Minnesota are different from everywhere else, in which case someone is an idiot.
2. No one will tell you this until you are actually there, so after a two  hour wait, you find you have to go somewhere else, where they administer the test.
3. They give you a piece of paper with the addresses and phone numbers of the places that administer the tests.  If you call the one nearest you so you can get directions, you will be routed to a central number where you will be put on hold until it is past the time when they administer the tests.
3. You can’t pay for your license with a credit or debit card.  You can pay with cash, or (get this) a check.  That means that either checks are more reliable than debit cards, in which case everyone else is being an idiot, or debit cards are more reliable, in which case, yeah.
4. No one will tell you this until you are actually there, so after waiting for two hours,  you have to go running around to find cash.
5. The drivers license from the other state is not acceptable as proof of identity.  You must present a birth certificate or a U.S. Passport.
6  No one tell you this until you are actually there, so you have to go home for your passport, after which you return for another two-hour wait.
1. If you have a license from another state, you must pass the written exam to get a Minnesota license.  Either because someone is an idiot, or because the laws in Minnesota are different from everywhere else, in which case someone is an idiot.
2. No one will tell you this until you are actually there, so after a two  hour wait, you find you have to go somewhere else, where they administer the test.
3. They give you a piece of paper with the addresses and phone numbers of the places that administer the tests.  If you call the one nearest you so you can get directions, you will be routed to a central number where you will be put on hold until it is past the time when they administer the tests.
4. You can’t pay for your license with a credit or debit card.  You can pay with cash, or (get this) a check.  That means that either checks are more reliable than debit cards, in which case everyone else is being an idiot, or debit cards are more reliable, in which case, yeah.
5. No one will tell you this until you are actually there, so after waiting for two hours,  you have to go running around to find cash.*
6. The drivers license from the other state is not acceptable as proof of identity.  You must present a birth certificate or a U.S. Passport, as well as your social security card.
7.  No one tell you this until you are actually there, so you have to go home for your passport, after which you return for another two-hour wait.
I’ll have my Minnesota license in 5-7 weeks.  If I decide I still want it.
*Actually, that isn’t true–they do say that on the web site; but I was on a roll, okay?

Bringin' it all back home

My daughter Toni and Joel Rosenburg conspired to kidnap me in Texas and take me back to Minnesota. Joel’s wife Felicia and daughter Judy, as well as Toni, did amazing amounts of work loading the truck. Judy organized things as well. Toni drove the truck (towing my car). She drove every mile; I never touched the wheel. Felicia drove the van. Twice I tried to take shifts driving the van, and both times, after maybe an hour, I just fell apart, and Felicia took over again.

I’m here now, missing all the wonderful Texas people (not to mention the weather), but with my family. I plan to fall apart completely, but not until the truck is unloaded.

Thank you Toni, Judy, Felicia, and Joel.