I was born in the USA

Really I was...

But ofcourse... one governmental department had other ideas...

So... this past Monday, I had some down time from printing, counting and binding... my main tasks currently at work (i needed some mental stimulation) So... since my birthday is next month, and my driver's license has come due, i thought... let me renew it...

In Georgia, you have the ability to renew your license online. So that's where i went. While looking over the online form it asked for an RIN number... (it's just a renewal number) But i didn't have it on me... and come to think of it... i don't remember getting one in the mail. But... it is possible i missed it. So I called up the Department of Driver Services...

"Hello... i'm looking to renew my license which expires next month... but i didn't get the RIN number... could you help me?"

I proceeded to give him the proper information identification. Then I asked "could you tell me when you sent the renewal, or can you give me an RIN number over the phone?"

He proceeded to say that an RIN number was not issued... I asked why... and he said...

"Because you're not a US citizen"

...

...


"excuse me?"

"We don't have you marked in the system as a US citizen, you cannot renew online"

"I'm sorry" I said "what do you mean? I was born in Pennsylvania, i mean... i know that can seem like a world away, but it is part of the united states"

"even if that is the case, i can't change it over the phone... you have to come in and get this sorted out. Bring your birth certificate, social security card, and current drivers license up to sandy springs" (about 30 minutes away)

I got the information and decided to go the next day, but not without telling a bunch of other people... I was flabberghasted!!!!! My mom, when i told her, was more frustrated than i was.

Now... i didn't start my blog till last year... but... one thing I DEFINATELY would have written about is my License transfer process. Now... in Pennsylvania, getting your driver's license renewed, transferred, etc... is almost instantaneous. You go into one of their stations, sit down, get your picture and move on. voila! If you are waiting in line, it's only behind one person, and normally, it's no longer than 5 minutes.

Down in georgia, however, when i went to get my license transferred, I was waiting in line for 5 hours... yes... 5 hours...

Yes... 5 hours!!!!!!!!

a far cry from 5 minutes... the DoDS just moves slow... and there is always a line... i was outside of the building for 2 hours in line. and like 3 hours inside...

So I was NOT looking forward to going to the DoDS again (even if it was a different station...) but there was no major line and the whole renewal took 2 hours... much different from 5 hours... but MUCH worse still than 5 minutes.

I did ask where they thought i was from... they didn't have it listed in their computer system... just... and i quote "Not from around these parts"

*blink* okay... that's obvious! I renewed my license for 10 years... so hopefully... i will never have to do this again in georgia...