License snafus

Becoming a legal driver in Missouri isn't as easy as it used to be.

First there is the issue of obtaining a driver's license. To get one, you'll need a birth certificate or other proof of lawful presence in the U.S., a proof of identity (Social Security card) and a proof of residency (a utility bill).

A spokesman for the Missouri Department of Revenue has suggested one more step: a telephone call in advance of going to the license office.

Because of computer delays of up to two hours, you may want to call ahead before you try to get your license, said David Griffith, the MDR spokesman. The National Driver Register, which tracks problem drivers, has been slowing down driver's license applications. National usage of the register has doubled in the past three years, causing delays sometimes as little as five or 10 minutes.

Then there's the issue of getting your license plates renewed. You'll need proof of a safety inspection, a property tax receipt and an insurance ID card. You could take care of all of this online, however, if you lived in a county with updated technology. This is not the case in Cape Girardeau County, where technology is still a couple of years away from being able to produce information in the proper format for the DOR. Do not be fooled by the PIN on your renewal application. Even though the PIN indicates you can renew online, if you're a Cape Girardeau County resident, you can't.

It appears when it comes to serving the public's drivers, government technology is behind the times. What's unclear is this: Is it worse to not have the technology at all, or to have it and it not work?