I'll post here what I put on Facebook earlier tonight, with this simple forwarding observation: When I think about what I went through, and how my good fortune spared me more hardship, and how lucky I am to have an employer and a position flexible enough to allow remote working, I count my blessings. The DMV and the system in place would prevent me from driving to work and earning a living, and would impound my car and fine me 100's of dollars for driving, even though I've been medically cleared to do so. The total lack of humanity in bureaucracy is terrifying, and something every willing participant in should be ashamed of.On Jan 21, when I got admitted to Physical Therapy, a part of their process was to report me to the DMV as being unable to drive. 2 weeks later I was discharged and capable of driving. It took another 2 weeks to get medically cleared by the doctors, and their clearance was sent to the DMV. 2 weeks after that was sent to the DMV, I called to make sure everything was done and that I was cleared to drive. They said no, I still had to meet with a case reviewer at the DMV and had been scheduled for an appointment on 3/13…. a full MONTH after the medical clearance was faxed to them.
I questioned the necessity of a face-face meeting, given that they had the report from the same Dr that reported me, clearing me. They said it’s just “their process”. My frustration peaked but with some pushback I got them to find a closer appointment. That appointment was this afternoon.
The formality of the interview was like giving a court deposition, including taking an oath and being recorded. I kid you not. And once all was said and done and I politely answered their questions I was told that the final step would be an actual driving exam! They are making me take a driving test in order to get my license back.
And get this… as she looked for appointments, the earliest was APRIL 2! Another full MONTH AWAY!
I think the veins in my forehead were visible because after going through all of the Bay Area DMV sites appointment openings online, as I explained that I had a job to be at and a 60 mile round trip commute to make and had zero options then to drive on a suspended license (which could result in my car being impounded for 30 days) she made a phone call and scored me an appointment in Los Gatos for this coming Thursday.
My resolution and good fortune aside, this is a massively broken process.