Margazine

Originally tweeted by garbanzo (@banzibean) on June 30, 2021.

The Wonder Blunder

I got a cryptic note from Arizona motor vehicles about a suspension reinstatement fee. I call customer service to confirm the date, which was 2018. Therefore, I didn’t inquire further despite thinking that there was more to it. Finally, after unsuccessfully trying to pay online, I go to an office. I was shocked when the clerk hands a revocation notice and substance abuse medical review form f  after paying the fee. The second notice was even more vague and contradictory than the first. There was a different effective date and no reason for issuance.

I know bureaucracy, but not like this.

This lack of communication and transparency was inexcusable even from a government agency dealing with COVID consequences. A quick notice of the post lockdown policy and procedural changes would have helped those who did not keep up with it. Ironically, if I did not pay in person, I would have known about these adverse actions.

The lack of urgency to take me off the road if I was in danger contrasted with the speed to collect a 3-year-old small past due fee confused me.   It would have been easier to write off the ten-dollar fee; failing to collect it immediately T I also did not understand why they ordered a drug test and/  or substance abuse evaluation after the fact.   The cops could have tested me on the spot. Then, if there was any doubt, they could order follow-up evaluations.  I was just glad I did not have to get a psych evaluation as  I had no doctor to go to anymore.

Designed to drive you crazy

This wouldn’t have bothered me so much if I didn’t experience a similar screw-up.  On the night of February 19, 2015, a cop stopped me a. He told me that my license was still suspended. I find out Motor vehicles never logged the restatement after completing the ALJ-ordered special driving class in 2013.  I was happy to find out, but not like that. So, of course, my car was impounded. Luckily, since this was my first impoundment, I could get my car back right away. Unfortunately, this oversight cost me unnecessary time and money to recover the vehicle.

Now I understand more than before

Looking back, I realized disorganization upsets my dad so much because it can affect someone else or myself negatively eventually. This also is first-hand confirmation of why the US motor vehicles system has such a bad reputation. There has got to be a better system we can model ours on.

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