DH's license expires in September of this year. He decided to renew it last week. The DMV gave him a temporary b&w paper license with photo and barcode, saying that the real license will arrive in 3 weeks. They punched a couple holes in the old license and gave it back to him. We're leaving for the UK in a couple weeks and I'm worried that he won't be able to rent a car with the strange-looking paper license. Does anyone have experience with this? I still have my normal license, but then again, I don't want to drive in the UK!
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
Take both if you don't get your new license before you leave. The one with holes will have a picture and the paper one will show it's been renewed. I'm betting you will get your license before you leave. Normally they tell you three weeks in case the mail is slow during certain times of year.
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
You could try and get an International Drivers Permit. If you have one (even though not required in UK), it will verify that he has a valid license. I had a problem once renting - my license has a renewal sticker on the back but the expiration date on the front makes it seem expired. It confused the rental agent and she nearly refused to rent the car to me. An IDP would have resolved it immediately. I would think a rental agent in the UK would be very hesitant with a paper copy.
Posted by
OP
Laramie, Wy, USa
25 posts
These are both excellent suggestions. The situation is even more confusing because the licenses are from two different states. The original was issued in WA and the new paper one is from WY. I will try to relax and hope that the new one comes before we depart on the the 27th. If not, we will pick up an IDP on the 26th and then hope that the three documents work. I really wish we had waited upon our return to renew the license!
Posted by
OP
Laramie, Wy, USa
25 posts
Good news. My husband called the WY DMV to discuss the problem. After emailing proof of our flights, the DMV said that they would expedite the printing of his license tomorrow and mail it out immediately. I had no idea that they could do such a thing. I'm just letting others know in case a similar problem arises.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9369 posts
That is good news! I guess we are lucky here in Illinois - we get our licenses while we wait.
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
That's true Nancy, but Sally gets to wait in the comfort of her own home while we wait at the Secretary of State's office. And I'd guess the waiting time is about the same... Good news Sally, enjoy your trip!
Posted by
Land of La
9124 posts
What I love about this post ( 1.) DMV is going to expedite the delivery and (2.) you actually got thorough to DMV and talk to someone. I'd still be on hold here in Los Angeles. Then again it is a megalopoilis. Also love hearing that in Illinois you wait for and get your license on the same day. Wow! Reminds me how different things are from state to state. Have a wonderful trip!
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9369 posts
My daughter renewed hers last week and it took no more than 15 minutes start to finish, including getting a new picture taken. Didn't realize we were spoiled!
Posted by
Washington, DC, USA
571 posts
It's always interesting to see how fast a bureaucracy "can" get something done in an emergency vs. how long they say the processes "should" take! (NB: Although I work in Washington, I do NOT work for the government. I am not suggesting I provide any inside information here.) For my very first visit abroad (a school sponsored trip), our professor required us to apply for passports at least 6 months in advance, but he had each of us put a date three weeks out from submission as our "planned date of travel." Without paying any expedited processing fee, you'd be amazed how many of us got our passports in just a couple weeks. (I wouldn't rely on it, but sometimes bureaucrats can come through for you!)
Cheers