After waiting for 11 hours, I could finally hold it: a temporary license from the DMV. My license expired when I turned 18, due to me having a provisional level 1 driver’s license. Once it expired, I decided to try and get it renewed at the DMV. I first drove to the DMV in Fuquay Varina, which did not accept walk-ins for licenses. I was discouraged, but still eager to get my new license, so I carried on.
I stopped at the DMV in a neighboring town, Angier, where I was also disappointed to know that they were not accepting walk-ins for driver’s licenses. This further annoyed me, but I decided that my last chance was driving to Lillington. Once I arrived there, I saw a long line of about 20 people waiting outside of the DMV. Most of them had camping chairs and blankets, ready to wait for however long they needed. I waited in line for about an hour, with the line not moving before a lady finally came out.
“I am the only person working today. I am doing my best, but most likely I will not be able to get more than 15 more of you,” she announced.
Looking in front of me and counting how many people there were, I knew that I wasn’t going to be seen today. I drove away, annoyed at a day wasted without getting my license. Later, I decided to give it another try, with my mom accompanying me.
We went earlier this time, waking up at 4:00 a.m. and leaving at 5:00 a.m. We drove to the Lillington DMV, hoping to be the first people in line when we got there. Upon getting there, the line stretched from the door of the DMV all the way to the parking lot. We got in the back of the line, with at least 25 people ahead of us, all scattered with lawn chairs, umbrellas, and blankets. There was only one lady working again, and she came out and gave her same talk saying she is going to do her best. We waited in line for hours, binge watching shows, eating food, and working on school work. After 11 hours, we were finally inside the DMV, waiting with 10 other people for their ticket to be called.
Once my name was called, I felt a jolt of excitement still shadowed by a feeling of frustration. I took my picture and signed my name, then I was handed my license on a piece of paper. She said they will mail the real version to me in a few weeks. I drove away with a bittersweet feeling, knowing that I got what I needed.
But was it worth it?
