DMV might need to clarify its staff on requirements

Ask Nevadans which government agency in the state typifies their impression of the classic dysfunctional bureaucracy, and hands down, the Department of Motor Vehicles stands either at the top of the list or close to it. Either way, the DMV has a questionable reputation.

We all know about the long lines when renewing a driver’s license or registration. And the rude behavior that sometimes is demonstrated may be excusable as a byproduct of those long lines, all of which can be attributed to an insufficient number of DMV facilities and an overburdened, understaffed agency.

But now comes a new twist on dysfunction. Recently, a Palo Verde High School student living in Summerlin was given a date and time by the DMV for a driving test so she could receive a permanent license. The young lady met all of the qualifications, but she was denied the opportunity to take the test for a reason that does not exist in accordance with the law.

And if the denial was not a precedent, then others are similarly being shortchanged by at least one DMV staffer, who has taken it upon herself to invent an amendment to the law.

The student met the age requirement. Her appointment for the test was made two weeks in advance, and she took the necessary time off from school that morning to be at the DMV station on time. Accompanied by her father, she drove the car that her parents purchased for her to the DMV station on West Flamingo Road.

As required, “I had proof of registration for the car and proof of insurance,” she told me. Her driving log showed 60 hours, which was 10 hours more than the minimum requirement. And she had the driver’s education certificate that proved she had taken the class online. Parenthetically, that’s the way it’s done these days, replacing the program that was once taught in the schools.

“I had my required attendance sheet. Under the law, if you have 10 or more unexcused absences, you can’t take the test,” she explained. “I also had my driving permit, which I had for six months, since my 16th birthday.”

When she and her father approached the woman at the DMV whose job was to clear her for the driving test, she was asked to show proof of car registration, proof of insurance and “proof of ownership of the car.”

Proof of ownership of the car? She didn’t bring her proof of ownership because the “DMV never said I had to bring my receipt of ownership.”

The bottom line was that the young lady was told by the DMV staffer at the desk that her test was being canceled for not providing “proof of ownership.” No, she couldn’t go home and bring back the receipt of ownership.

“She told me that I had to make a new appointment,” the young lady said. “So, I had to take off another morning from school for the new appointment, which was eight days later.”

The young lady applying for her license was correct, and the DMV staffer was incorrect — or at least, that’s what the law says.

DMV requirements under the heading “Nevada teen driving,” subhead “driving skill test,” say the applicant must bring the following:

• “Instruction permit.

• “Proof of identity.

• “Drivers education certificate of completion, or high school report card/school transcript.

• “Completed — Beginning Drivers Experience Log.

• “Certification of attendance (school attendance, as required effective Jan. 1, 2015).

• “Vehicle with registration and insurance.”

That’s it!

The law goes on to say, “You can take the skills test in any passenger car or truck which is properly registered and insured, except a rental car. The examiner will perform a vehicle safety inspection and check the certificate of registration and evidence of insurance card.

“The examiner will give you instructions on where to drive for the test…”

There is nothing in the requirements that mandates proof of car ownership. It would seem to make sense that if the applicant has a registration and proof of insurance, that should satisfy proof of ownership.

The original appointment had been for 8 a.m. on a Monday.

Maybe the woman at the DMV desk was having a bad morning.

Herb Jaffe was an op-ed columnist and investigative reporter for most of his 39 years at the Star-Ledger of Newark, N.J. His most recent novel, “Double Play,” is now available. Contact him at hjaffe@cox.net.