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Updating address on driver’s license can be done online

Q. Your info about renewing a driver’s license was really great. But what if I need to update the address? I tried doing it online after I renewed, and it seemed to work. However, there doesn’t seem to be a way to get a new one that reflects the change by mail, such as with a renewal. It seems to be hard even to see the change online. Any thoughts? I do think the Department of Motor Vehicles has come a long way with its online services, but in this case more explanation of how the process works and what to expect would be appreciated.

– Mike Knudsen, Coto de Caza

A. Honk is here for you, Mike.

You asked the DMV to update your address on your driver’s license, and, indeed, there is not a way online to ensure that the address was changed, confirmed Nicholas Filipas, a DMV spokesman in Sacramento.

You can wait for the updated address to show up on your license when you renew the license next time.

Or:

“Customers can change their address online, wait at least 10 days, then order a duplicate online to get a new card with the new address without visiting a field office,” Filipas said. “A duplicate license costs $30.”

For those who move, state law requires updating a new address within 10 days.

Q. Hi Honk! Caltrans is working on Alicia Parkway’s northbound on-ramp to the I-5 Freeway.  The original ramp had two lanes with traffic-meter lights allowing two cars per green. The ramp is now down to one lane with a light. However, there is no sign indicating how many vehicles per green, though it appears to be timed for two vehicles. Why would Caltrans reduce the number of vehicles allowed to go and create a painful bottleneck? Isn’t this the kind of thing that Caltrans considers when implementing a project, or does it rely on motorists like you and me to give them some common sense?

Mad in Mission Viejo (AKA  Matthew Jones)

A. Dear Mad in Mission Viejo:

Turns out that is an Orange County Transportation Authority project, in partnership with Caltrans, so Honk turned to OCTA spokesman Eric Carpenter.

“A temporary one-lane on-ramp was constructed … to allow construction crews to work on a new retaining wall and two-lane on-ramp to the freeway, which is being widened through the area,” he said. “Temporarily reducing the northbound Alicia on-ramp to one lane is necessary to create a safe work area for crews.”

The OCTA’s traffic-flow experts came to the same conclusion as you, Mad in Mission Viejo, and turned off that meter. They will keep an eye on any congestion out there, Carpenter said, to alleviate any problems.

“Once the new ramp is completed, it will include two lanes and will have an auxiliary lane that connects directly to El Toro Road, which will mean more options for drivers and improved traffic flow,” Carpenter said.

Work began on that ramp in January and is scheduled to conclude in late 2024.

Honkin’ fact: There were 474 motorcycle deaths in 2019, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety. While motorcycles are only 3% of the registered vehicles in the state, the California Highway Patrol says, motorcyclist deaths are roughly 15% of road fatalities. (Source: Automobile Club of Southern California).

To ask Honk questions, reach him at honk@ocregister.com. He only answers those that are published. To see Honk online: ocregister.com/tag/honk. Twitter: @OCRegisterHonk


Source: Orange County Register

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