Nevada DMV

Posted Sun May 27, 2007 in Automotive

Yesterday was a day. There isn’t much more to say than that, but I will.

I intended to take care of our driver’s licenses and automobile registration on Friday. But, that didn’t work out because the new insurance policy was effective until midnight Saturday morning. So, I went to work, but as life sometimes goes, I was not productive. So it goes…

I knew the Las Vegas Nevada DMV offices held Saturday hours, but I didn’t think any of the local offices did. However, the Reno office is open from 0800-1600 on Saturdays, so Wife and I decided to head north and take care of this bit of business. A VIN check is required, so we took Wife’s Z4 down to Gardnerville for the report, then returned home, removed the plates (Nevada collects out-of-state plates), and headed north.

We arrived at the facility and had the 330i inspected. A smog check is not required for our county, but the VIN check is required. The technician was pleasant and we enjoyed the interaction with him. We parked the car and walked into the building.

They can handle a lot of traffic. They have an information center where they review the packet before assigning a clerk to handle the transaction. Of course, we didn’t have part of our paperwork, so we could do the vehicles but not the driver’s licenses. Wife was not happy because she reviewed the requirements several times and believed she had everything.

The vehicle transactions went easily. When we finished, Wife called DiL and asked her to bring our other paperwork with her when she came to work. DiL found our papers and said she’d bring them.

In the meantime, we drove over to the BMW shop. I wanted to replace the center molding on the 330i. Unfortunately, they didn’t have the part in-stock, but they gave me the part number so I can ask the Alderson parts technician to order me one. Wife and I decided to walk the line while we were waiting for DiL. We think the new 335i would be a neat car.

The shop had several 335xi’s on the lot. The 335xi vehicles are all-wheel drive and would be perfect for this place in the winter. A sales consultant came to visit (good plan) and we talked for a few minutes.

“You really need to drive one of these vehicles.”

“I’m afraid to.”

He laughed. Wife laughed. I laughed, but I was serious. I know how I am about vehicles and driving one is a bad thing for me to do, especially when I’m already interested.

“We have one we took back. A man bought it for his wife but she was afraid of the vehicle, so they returned it.”

Wife looked a little shocked, “Why would she be afraid of the car?”

We walked over the a sleek gray vehicle — a coupe — and Alex retrieved the key. It’s a push-button start, so he inserted the key and pressed the button. The sound of the vehicle is a little different. The twin-turbochargers make a different sound. It was pretty impressive.

He climbed into the back seat and we headed out. He uses a regular route, so we took U.S. 395 south. As we entered the freeway, he said “Let the other cars get a little ahead so you can punch it.”

So, I did. When I hit the accelerator, the car took off. It was impressive. The 3-liter straight six engine produces a lot of torque. There is no boost lag — power is readily available on demand. The car accelerates like my motorcycle. My K1200RS will accelerate from 0—60 in about 2.8 seconds (if I do my job).

He took us through a twisty section of street. The street wasn’t a mountain road, but still there were plenty of corners. The car is stable and more capable than I am. I had a blast.

We returned to the dealership. As we were on the way back, DiL called and she was at the B&N with our stuff. So, we thanked Alex for the test drive and headed for the bookstore. Wife and DiL shared a strawberry-lemonade and we headed back for the DMV office.

We walked in and a clerk met us at the information desk. She took Wife’s materials and began checking them. “This marriage license is not certified. We need a recorded copy of your marriage license.”

“What?!” Wife asked.

“We have to have a copy of the official marriage license. You’ll have to write to the county recorder’s office and obtain an official copy of the license.”

“I’ve been married for 34 years and never had to have anything else.” Wife started to get pretty excited. I thought I might have to take her aside and help her calm down. The clerk was just doing her job.[1] But Wife maintained her composure and we went to the desk clerk where I could get my license. Mine was critical because my Texas license expired the end of May.

The desk clerk began processing my application. It was pretty straightforward because I had my required paperwork. When she asked about Wife’s paperwork, Wife said “I guess I’m not really married. My marriage license is not official.”

The clerk at the next station, who remembered us from earlier when he processed our vehicle registration, responded “Run away while you can!” This broke the tension and Wife relaxed.

He came over and asked to see her paperwork. She showed him everything. “Do you have any other form of identification?”

“I can help you. Come over to my station.” Wife picked up her things and moved to his station.

I could hear them chatting in the background while my clerk finished my application. I was able to maintain my motorcycle endorsement, which is a good thing. I do need new spectacles, though. After I finished, she provided instructions to proceed to the last station, where they make a digital image, print and laminate the new license, and issue it.

I sat next to Wife, who was finishing up. The clerk found what he needed and took pity on Wife.

We finished up and headed south for home. We were supposed to meet friends for supper at their ranch just over the California border. It was 1600 and we were supposed to be there, but still needed to buy ice and retrieve the boys. (And I needed fuel for the Bimmer.)

We made it to the ranch by 1730 — only an hour and a half late. I sat with them for awhile and enjoyed the quiet cool of the evening air. The wind was a little chilly, but it was a pleasant time. I retrieved my guitar. We ate and I played and we chatted, finally ending up around a campfire in their backyard. I could write a lot about the talk, but I’m tired of writing so I need to get another cup and some food.

The day ended about 2230. I was exhausted after all the stress of the day. I’m still exhausted.

¹ I realize that people often have latitude in their application of the requirements. Some individuals are very picky about “the rules” while others understand what the rules mean and what the rules are for. The latter al always preferable to deal with; the former will rarely budge from their position. The clerk who met us was clearly in the former group.