A Taste of NJ Bureaucracy

On Wednesday, my hair looked good--and it wasn't humid so I could count on it remaining just how I wanted it. I decided it was the day to renew my driver's license because there was a better than average chance that the new photo on my driver's license would not resemble a mug shot. Yes, I want to look like a glamorous romance writer even on my driver's license. I had all my identification in order, so I went to Motor Vehicles.

However, I did not get past the first step. Unfortunately, I was born in Jersey City and the DVM no longer accepts birth certificates from Jersey City. This is evidently because a Hudson County clerk was issuing fraudulent birth certificates.

I had to get a new birth certificate. I decided the fastest way to do that would be to go to Trenton the next day.

I spent $20 on gasoline, $3 for parking, and $25 for the new birth certificate.

Somehow this does not seem fair. (The state has to be making a lot of money on this deal.)

I guess I'll try again next week to renew my driver's license.