Last week I took my older son to the Motor Vehicle office to get his learner's permit.

(This probably means that soon I will be buying myself some hair dye--or tranquilizers.) road-sign

I spent some time that morning on the DMV website, finding out exactly what documents my son needed to present in order to convince the State of New Jersey that he is a teenager, not a terrorist.  Then I helped him gather up his school ID, birth certificate, Social Security card, report card, Varsity letter and a note from the principal.

OK, I made a couple of those up.  But there certainly were a lot of hoops that he had to jump through before he could get that precious piece of paper that will allow him to get behind the wheel of (gulp) my car.

On the way there I prepared him for what he could expect at the DMV.  I let him know that he'd have to wait in several lines and present the same documents several times to different people.  I had a book and was prepared for the wait.  Then we were stopped in our tracks by the receptionist, who said, "We don't do permits here.  You have to take him to the office that gives eye tests."

Naturally it was too late in the workday for us to get to that office before it closes.  We'll be trying again today at the proper location.  But it sure would have been nice if the DMV website had some indication that permits are only available at certain places.

And then when we're all done with that, it'll be time for my son to get himself a job and learn the ins and outs of the dreaded...income tax system.

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