Appointment system a step backward

Re: Recent letters concerning travails trying to schedule a driving test at the DMV facility in Lake Zurich, I share the pain. Back in very early August when drop-in appointments were still permitted, I started my quest to get a driver's test. That day about midmorning I was greeted by a sign at the door stating in-car driving tests were no longer available. I asked the attendant at the door how one could gain a drop-by test and the answer was a shoulder shrug or possibly showing up at the door at 6:30 a.m. -a rather difficult proposal for this soon to be 85-year-old AND with no guarantee that a test would be available at that time anyway. So the search for an appointment proceeded.

After four and a half weeks, I miraculously secured a date at the Woodstock facility, more than 30 miles from home. Nearer facilities such as Waukegan, Schaumburg, Deerfield and yes, Lake Zurich, never showed up one time during the search. As the expiration date on my current license rapidly approached, my stress level accelerated exponentially.

I'm somewhat mystified how this newer appointment system will enhance our DMV experience, especially for seniors, when it seems like a giant step backward has been foisted upon us. This sort of problem never existed when Jesse White was the secretary.

Joseph Babiak

Grayslake