For many automobile owners you already know about the mind numbing trips to your local DMV office. These trips are usually full of long waits and unanswered questions followed by the payment of large sums of money. In fact, the DMV is continually recognized as one of the least favorable places to do business. So with so much negativity and bad publicity why in the world would anyone want to go to the DMV? Perhaps a better question would be; what purpose does the CA DMV have? California is a state that is full of automobiles. Because of this there are many regulations that pertain to California that do not apply in other states. Because of the huge number of cars and trucks on the road in California, there really is a good reason for the existence of the DMV. The following list will highlight some of the ways that the CA DMV actually helps and serves the general public.
One of the most annoying things that drivers must do is maintain their vehicle registration. This is usually done through the mail or even online but for many people this is handled at their local DMV office. The driver registration is a way that the state government keeps a record of the number of vehicles that are on the road as well as knowing who is driving. While this is not a foolproof way of keeping adequate records, it does give a baseline as to the number of drivers and cars. Additionally, the driver registration fee is a way that the state of California collects funds for road projects. While it is not enjoyable, when you pay your registration fees to the local CA DMV, you are doing your part to pay for the roads and bridges that you enjoy everyday.
The CA DMV is also important for voter registration. Many people are not aware that you can register to vote at any DMV. This is a great way to knock out two birds with one stone. It is the right of every American adult to cast a vote. However, many people fail to register and that is because they do not know where to go. Many years ago the federal government decided that you should be able to register to vote at the same place you register your vehicle. This saves time and money for both you and the state. And while you may not enjoy paying the fees that are associated with your vehicle, you should be thankful that you could have a one-stop shop so to speak when it comes to registering to vote. While this is not the primary reason for the CA DMV, it is one of the better reasons.