I cannot believe how pleasant my last experience here was. I had totally forgotten how awful my last visit was, and simply went to the DMV closest to my office after work at 4pm on a random overcast Thursday.
I walked past the ridiculous amount of empty "not for DMV customer" signs again. I walked in, a man checked my documents and gave me a number. I sat down and hadn't even finished two paragraphs in the book I brought before I was called up.
The DMV worker I was assigned was friendly and efficient and probably would have let me take a second picture if I asked.
In and out in about 15 minutes with the promise of my new "REAL" ID to be sent in two weeks.
Not as painful as I anticipated. However, the amount of paperwork needed to get the new license is ridiculous. Current and valid passport, NC driver's license and original SS card along with an additional official document with current NC address. That additional document could be a vehicle registration or property tax bill. Seriously? Y'all are the ones who tell the government where to send this stuff, don't you know where I live?