My DMV experience

[Hazumu]

I sent the below off to someone who works at California DMV, after updating my drivers' license and car title today;

Does DMV have a customer comment website/place/department where I can say how GOOD my experience was?

Here's what I want to say;

--
As a transgendered person going through her transition, getting legal identification showing the new name and target gender is a big step -- yet one fraught with anxiety.  What if the experience turns out to be a hassle on many levels.  They are rare, but the 'trans' community does have a few horror stories, so I was apprehensive when I went to the Sacramento DMV office on Broadway near Stockton Blvd.

I chose to go without an appointment.  I received a number and settled in in front of one of the TV monitors that display the current numbers and serving windows.  The wait was about a half hour, and then I was called to a Window.

"Uh, hi, I'm here to change my name on my license and car title", I said.

"No problem!  We can do both right here!" said the clerk.

She complemented me on the fact I had all the paperwork filled out properly (I've worked in administration before,) and she set about examining the documents I'd brought, checking Social Security to see if I'd updated the name on my account there, and making the necessary changes in my DMV record.

As I was also changing the gender marker on my license, she needed a supervisor to provide a password.  One of the horror stories is that this change can take a long time to accomplish in some field offices, as customer service representative and supervisor confer and study the regulations.  But today it took less than a minute for Rachelle to call over the supervisor, show her the documentation, and for the supervisor to enter the password.

All my transactions were handled in less than ten minutes, and my new photo only took another five.  I have memories of much less pleasant experiences when visiting DMV field offices in the past.  But todays' experience was the best I remember. 

Complaints are legion -- but there are many who do their jobs well and efficiently yet receive little or no praise for the fine work that they do.  That customer service representative made my day that much better, and her performance, as they say in the military, reflects great credit upon her field office and the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

Thank you!

Karen J. Savage

One addendum -- I noticed that particular CSR was a fan of the Sacramento Monarchs.

Karen

[Sheila]

Karen, when I changed my name and gender on my license and title on both my cars, it took just about as long. I had no problem and the people I talked to about this, said I was going to have problems and this and that. I went in and it was done. I had to wait until my registration was sent back to me as it went to Salem, Or. My drivers license was a done deal right there, just like yours. I didn't cause any problems and I had all the necessary paperwork filled out and all my letters and my court document that said I had changed my name. It was really easy and I thought I was going to have problems. My whole transition was that way, people would say negative things about this and that, but I got it done with ease, everything. So, I just kind of blow off all those naysayers and I know that it can be done. Just don't look for trouble and you won't find it.
Sheila

[Hazumu]

Update -- the person who I sent that off to works in Cal DMV.  She sent back that the DMV employee who wrote the DMV rules for dealing with transgender issues is herself a trans-woman and, get this, her name is Karen!

I'm still giggling at this revalation

Karen

[Melissa]

So you got your name legally changed?  Awesome.  I thought you were going to wait until you were ready for surgery, but that's great to hear.  Comgratulations.

Melissa

[Suzy]

Karen,
Great to hear a nice experience for a change.  Congrats!

Kristi

[cindianna_jones]

For what it is worth, I've never had a problem with the California DMV either. My changes were quick and prompt. The people treated me with candor and dignity. It was a very positive experience.

Cindi

[Steph]

That is a great experience Karen.  It's nice to hear the success/good news stories instead of the attention grabbing horror stories that are often reported.

Personally speaking I feel that generally folks are good at their job, and do good things.  They have guidelines/policy/rules and regulations that they must follow, and most do it in a professional curtious manner, even though it may be their first experience with TS customers.

My experience anyway.

Steph

[tinkerbell]

I have memories of much less pleasant experiences when visiting DMV field offices in the past.

Tell me about it!   They used to be very rude before, but I guess people complained or something, for now they are extremely nice.  I did not have any major problems when I changed my name and gender either, but prior to that, they just seemed that they did not want to work since they were always in a terrible mood.  And yes, they have new monitors now, and you don't have to make endless lines; it is much quicker and everything seems to run smoothly.

I am glad that everything went fine Karen; it makes a big difference when people treat you nicely at the window and don't ruin your day with BS attitude.
Congrats Karen!

tink

[Ms.Behavin]

Well that's very timely information.  I'm planing on a trip to the CA DMV this coming Saterday, just to get a CA license.  Need that to change my name, but I'm a Bennie on the old license, so that still works for now, though that dreaded M will be a pain, but I'm hoping that goes away sometime next year,  .  Once I've got my Ca drivers license, next step is the name change.  Got to change the middle name, yuck.  Oh well, at least life is not boring anymore, though a bit of bordom now and then would be fine.

Be good

Beni