“I’m frustrated and don’t know if I’m the only one”

“Dear PoPville,

I moved in with my sister in February and she’s been having issues with the DMV ever since. We both have DC licenses – we were living in separate apartments prior to moving in together – so it’s only a matter of updating our address.

I submitted my 2 proof of residency documents the last week of February and was approved, and she submitted hers a week later only to be denied. In that time they updated their list of approved documents to remove bank and credit card statements, which is what we both used in addition to our lease. She initially had tried using her renters insurance, but that was denied also. I had existing utility accounts so they’re all in my name, and none of the other approved documents apply to her (she doesn’t own a home, we’re on our parents cell phone plan, her car is paid off so no loan, and she isn’t a university student). There’s nothing left for her to submit.

I thought I was crazy when I told her she could definitely submit a credit card statement as proof, but there’s just a blank line on the web page where that used to be. I had to go through internet archives to confirm that I wasn’t imagining it. Is that not the sort of change that the DMV should announce? And is it fair to limit the type of approved documents? I ran into almost the same issue a few years ago when I applied for my license because I rented a bedroom from a friend who owned a home and didn’t have me sign a lease, the utilities weren’t in my name, and I didn’t own a car. Without the credit card statement I never would have been able to get my license, which is the situation she’s found herself in. With so many young and transient people in this city I feel that she’s probably not the only one struggling with this.

In the meantime she can’t park her car on our street without getting a ticket because her registration isn’t up to date and DC Parking Enforcement is far more efficient than the DMV…”