Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transsexual talk => Female to male transsexual talk (FTM) => Topic started by: TrojanMan on December 12, 2013, 08:00:17 PM

Title: Driver's license?
Post by: TrojanMan on December 12, 2013, 08:00:17 PM
I live in Texas and ill be getting my permit soon. Can I put male on it or just not have a gender marker on it at all? It's giving me anxiety and I feel like maybe it counts as protecting me from discrimination? What do you guys do about driver's lisense/ ID's?
Title: Re: Driver's license?
Post by: Jerri on December 12, 2013, 08:09:36 PM
after going to court and having a hearing for legal name change in washington I had to have form filled out by my doctor and therapist for the dept of mtr vehicles to have my Id changed to the correct gender and name. and of course pay a fee lol. not sure any more but seems for the first id it required a birth cert, not sure about Texas though. good luck if you can it right the first time it will save you so time and money later
Jerri
Title: Re: Driver's license?
Post by: Devlyn on December 12, 2013, 08:12:31 PM
Here's a complete guide to all documentation changes, the Wiki Staff makes things easy for us! https://www.susans.org/wiki/Category:Documentation_changes

Hugs, Devlyn
Title: Re: Driver's license?
Post by: aleon515 on December 12, 2013, 10:57:24 PM
This is an excellent reference with a cool little graphic:
http://transequality.org/Resources/DL/DL_policies.html

--Jay
Title: Re: Driver's license?
Post by: Brandon on December 13, 2013, 06:03:00 AM
That is the same thing Ive been wondering because I'm getting ready to get my permit and license , But I'm from Michigan
Title: Re: Driver's license?
Post by: Simon on December 13, 2013, 12:04:04 PM
As others have said, it depends on your State. I knew a guy in Texas who had his gender changed on his ID years ago and even then he had to be on T, have top surgery, and a doctor's letter. Then he had to get it court ordered to be done and take the letter from the court to the DMV. For many of us it tends to be an arduous task.

If it helps ease your fears a little do know that having the infamous F on your license isn't really a big deal. I mean, I pass without a shadow of a doubt and still haven't changed my gender on it. I've never had anyone say anything when they copy my stuff for a job or anything. In fact just the other day I was at the liquor store picking up a little Holiday spirit and was asked for my ID. The guy looked at it closely (birth date is right beside gender), handed it back, and said "You don't look 32, have a great Christmas sir". Just know that if you pass at least half of the time more than likely people aren't going to study your identification. There aren't even many instances that you really have to show it, so don't stress too much about it if you're not able to get it done for awhile.
Title: Re: Driver's license?
Post by: aleon515 on December 13, 2013, 02:22:14 PM
A lot of times the "medical treatments" phrase is ambiguous enough that something like T or top surgery can get you the license. But the letter, when one is required needs to be written well. You can probably look around and find someone who has written one.

--Jay
Title: Re: Driver's license?
Post by: Alexthecat on December 13, 2013, 07:15:53 PM
Hey the F isn't that bad. Your insurance will be cheaper.
Title: Re: Driver's license?
Post by: ataraxiamachine on December 17, 2013, 03:58:05 AM
I've heard anecdotes about "slip-ups" occurring at the time the ID is conferred, due to a sympathetic or distracted employee.  Seems like something I might try if I were about 15 years younger.

But, I'll echo the fact that most people don't pay attention to it.  I don't plan to legally change any of my info for a few years yet, because of worries over a potential custody battle, but I had to open a new bank account today and got sirred by the banker the entire time, despite the fact that she had my birth certificate, driver's licence, and social all in front of her.
Title: Re: Driver's license?
Post by: Mx Pippa on December 17, 2013, 04:25:02 AM
Can't help much with US, but if any curious UK girls have clicked on the thread, all I can add is that once I had changed my name by dead poll I had no problems with our UK DVLA, I even have my new MX title on the license, which is useful tool in giving that official stamp to my transgender lifestyle, or when some ignorant B decides that there's no such thing as a Transgender and decides I'm just some kind of freak. I must add, that it doesn't happen much.
Title: Re: Driver's license?
Post by: aleon515 on December 17, 2013, 11:46:33 AM
It's easier to change your name in the UK, at least cheaper (wasn't actually that hard but I had to go to court and pay some court costs). In the US a LOT depends on which state you are in. I often say it's a bit like being in different countries. In my state you went in the Motor Vehicle office with a form signed by some medical professional saying what your gender is. That constitutes asking for the change of gender. I'd say that's really easy. But some states you have to have SRS.

--Jay