LOCAL HISTORY
First trip to take driver’s test in 1950 different than 2020’s BY BETTY OBENDORF Curator, Polo Historical Society Early in the spring I received a letter from Jessie White at Springfield telling me it was time to take my driver’s test which would expire in June. But with the virus things were not normal. We were all in quarantine and many businesses were closed. The time to do that would be extended to October and then to November first. Those of us with an expired license or needing a new one could go until July 31 with other business held up. It was a hot month so I gave up going the month of July. Instead I sat at home and reflected taking my first driver’s test in Oregon years ago. It was my father who taught us kids how to drive and we never knew when each lesson would pop up. One day I found myself on an icy morning in the heart of the business district in Dixon having a driving lesson. As the car would slide in one direction and then the other my dad would calmly show me which way to turn the wheel. Even though I was terrified I survived the lesson and the day came when I was ready to take my driving test in Oregon. I was dating Kenneth and he took me to Oregon for my first driving test. We drove Kenneth’s new 1950 Ford. Ralph Manning was the instructor and Kenneth knew him. They piled into the backseat and started visiting. I just remember at some point I rolled down
the window to signal and Ralph said, “Roll up the window. It is cold!!” I passed. August 5, 2020 I headed for Chadwick in cooler weather. There were quite a few people in line and by the time I got parked a ways away and got in line there were more. Someone called, “Did we have our car insurance with us?” I had to walk back to get mine. Soon I learned they would not be giving any driving tests that week or the next. I needed a driving test and a change of address. I went home and that took care of that day. Two weeks later on the 19th I headed back and stood in line first outside, and then inside. Finally it was my turn. For my change of address I had two pieces in information. They were the stimulus check information and a letter from the Retired Teachers Association. The stimulus check letter was no good!
Did I have my voting card? I did but it had my old address and was no good! I went home again. I almost decided I did not want to drive anymore but that was silly. This time around I was going to go for the “Real Driver’s License” or “Real ID” as they call it. I spent the rest of the day gathering information. My birth certificate, my original Social Security card, bank statement, cancelled check, and deed to the house. I could not use my Commonwealth Edison bill since that was in Kenneth’s name and I did not have a passport. Kenneth said to tell them I had lived with him for almost 70 years. I told him that would not count! That night Krista told me I would need a copy of my marriage certificate from Oregon since my birth certificate had my maiden name on it. Also she said to make sure my bank statement was within 90 days. It wasn’t and I had to look for a newer one. Friday morning I headed to Oregon to the courthouse, got my marriage certificate, ordered a new voting card, and then went to Chadwick. I arrived at 12:45 and I was third in line. Finally inside I pulled out a chair, sat down and watched as I saw a number of people leave since they did not have the right information. It is difficult for older people. Finally it was my turn and I had all my ducks in a row and she copied everything. I ended up with a Real ID and headed for my car to wait for my driving test. That was a snap although I was told to drive a little faster. I headed for home around three o’clock and I was one exhausted 88 year old, little old lady. The bonus of the whole thing was that my new driver’s license was free for being “old.”
STATE NEWS
Dates for driver licenses for 75+ are continued New expiration date will be one year from current expiration Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White has extended the expiration date for licenses held by Illinois drivers who are 75 years of age or older for a period of one year past the licenses’ current 2020 expiration date. As a result, drivers age 75 and older with a 2020 driver’s license expiration date do not need to visit a facility to renew their driver’s license until shortly before their birthday in 2021. “I am mindful of the heightened risks associated with seniors contracting COVID-19, and that is why
I have authorized this important change during this challenging and unique time,” said White. There are approximately 147,000 drivers age 75 and over with expired or expiring driver’s licenses in 2020. Letters are being sent to drivers that qualify for this extension. The letter should be kept with the qualifying driver as further proof of the oneyear extension. In addition, driving records on the Secretary of State’s computer system have been updated to show the new 2021 expiration dates for qualified drivers, and law enforcement agencies both state and nationwide have been notified of the extended expiration dates. In addition to being 75 of age or older, the driver must have a valid license; drivers who are suspended or revoked do not qualify for the one-year extension.
White is reminding all other drivers that expiration dates for driver’s licenses/ID cards and license plate stickers have been extended until Nov. 1, 2020. As a result, expired documents will remain valid until Nov. 1 so customers under age 75 do not need to rush into Driver Services facilities, especially during hot weather. For those customers who must visit a facility, face masks are required. In addition, these customers are asked to be patient due to heavy volume and to be prepared
to wait outside in various types of weather. This is due to social distancing, which limits the number of people inside a facility at one time. White continues to urge the public to consider using online services when possible instead of visiting a facility due to heavy customer volume. Customers who can conduct business online may go to www.cyberdriveillinois.com to take advantage of online services – such as renewing license plate stickers – from the comfort of their own home. People who conduct online transactions will avoid waiting in line at a facility. Illinois law gives the Illinois Secretary of State the authority to extend driver’s license expiration dates by up to one year.
OGLE COUNTY NEWS Ogle County Newspapers / oglecountynews.com • Friday, August 28, 2020
Driver’s license renewal took plenty of paperwork
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