Oh yes. The Department of Motor Vehicles. The least favorite government agency. I’ve been cursing the Pennsylvania DMV for the past 4 hours and I don’t see my language toning down any time soon. Here’s the backstory.
I am a resident of Florida. When I changed my residency from Pennsylvania to Florida one of the conditions was that I had to surrender my Pennsylvania driver’s license. Ok. Done. It’s a driver’s license, no big deal, it shouldn’t matter what state I have a license in, as long as I’m licensed to drive, right?
So today, I go to buy a new car to replace my Hummer H2. I complete all the paperwork, financing is approved, I schedule delivery, head home from the dealership and the phone rings. The salesperson, who I have bought at least 10 cars from over the years, says “Scott, I can’t sell you the car unless you have a Pennsylvania driver’s license.”
After dropping the f-bomb a half dozen times, I went on to tell him the story of how I’m not a Pennsylvania resident, but I own a home here, and that my official residence is in Florida. No go. According to the state, you must have a Pennsylvania driver’s license in order to register a car in the Keystone State (which is really not a state but a Commonwealth). What nonsense is this? I can name at least 2 dozen people who live between here and Florida and have cars in Pennsylvania but have Florida drivers licenses. How did they do it? I have to find out.
So for now, the plans for the new Benz are on hold and my pressure is rising. Looks like when I’m in Palm Beach this weekend I’ll be car shopping. And driving it to Pennsylvania Monday. And Tuesday. And Wednesday.