In typical times, trips to the DMV are not exactly high on my list of fun things to do with my time. However, in these strange times, you will find that not only is a trip to the DMV not fun, it’s impossible without an appointment.
Take for instance my own license renewal which is due at the end of October. I was in a world of denial thinking I could walk in and get it renewed on my own schedule. Then I had a chat with someone in the know and found out you have to have an appointment.
I was surprised to learn that was the case but I’m fine setting an appointment so went online to do just that. Then I got my next surprise. Appointments are booked for the next 10 weeks out. Let me do the math. Okay, start with August carry the one add those two sums together and I’ll barely get an appointment before my license expires.
Luckily the appointment process is easy. Go to Oregon.gov to get started, follow the prompts and you’ll be emailed a confirmed time and date with your official appointment at the DMV.
You might wonder what happens if your license expires before you can get an appointment? Luckily for all of us Governor Kate Brown signed into law Senate Bill 1601 preventing traffic citations for licenses expiring between March 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020. However, you can’t rent a car with an expired license (I know someone who tried…) and I’m sure there are other possible repercussions. The good news is most of us aren’t going anywhere anyway but it still makes good sense to take a look at your license expiration date and grab an appointment way before you need it.
Who knows, maybe this time the DMV will even be fun?