If You Hated the DMV Before, Wait Until You Read This

Op-ed by TheWiseOldFart

Sadly, this is a true story, and there is no end. My beautiful and incredible bride of more than 30 years always does the right thing. She obeys all the rules, even when they make no sense.

On December 26, we will celebrate her birthday. This year she is required to renew her driver’s license. This has become a very important issue. I am disabled and cannot drive. She is the only person who can do our grocery shopping.

Because she is a “certain age,” the Nevada DMV requires an eye test and a physical exam. It is also necessary that she appear in person; it cannot be accomplished online.

Getting the appointments and completing the examinations took more than two weeks. When they were completed, she went online to make an appointment at the only DMV in the Reno/Sparks area. There were none available until January 29, 2026.

She called the office to ask about alternative procedures. They informed her that they do not allow “walk-ins.” She was shocked. Two more phone calls left her extremely upset. They offered no solution. I assume they believe she should drive without a license for more than one month. There are no traffic tickets or accidents on her driving record, at least not yet.

We, like most working-class Americans, despise bureaucracy. This situation is a perfect example for why we feel this way.

The DMV receives an “F” in customer service. The person or persons running this agency are morons.

A few years ago, the only DMV office in Reno/Sparks was moved from a central location to an area south of the city. This made it more difficult for the majority of the population. They promised that it would be more “user-friendly.” This was obviously another lie from a bureaucratic agency.

In Las Vegas, there are four or five DMV offices. Henderson has at least three. I assume that the Reno area is the “ugly stepchild” with only one.

As I stated earlier, my bride obeys the rules. If she is forced to drive without a license, driving will become even more stressful.

This is another story proving an old adage, “all governments are bad, some are just worse than others.”

I love Northern Nevada. However when I moved here in 1986, I quickly learned that our local government was totally incompetent. The casinos controlled every decision made by the governments of Reno and Sparks.

Nevada’s state government is currently run by a Trump wannabe. Joe Lombardo is a former sheriff with no experience in government.

Our past two Governors, Democrat Steve Sisolak, and before him, Republican Brian Sandoval, were excellent. Everything has changed, and not for the better. The inmates are indeed running the asylum.

Op-ed by James Turnage

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