Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Sick of long lines at the DMV? Hawaii might have a solution]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/04/sick-of-long-lines-at-the-dmv-hawaii-might-have-a-solution-w-v/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/04/sick-of-long-lines-at-the-dmv-hawaii-might-have-a-solution-w-v/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/04/sick-of-long-lines-at-the-dmv-hawaii-might-have-a-solution-w-v/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Hawaii DMV Line

Hawaii is taking a novel approach to reducing the average wait time in the state's DMV offices. All five O'ahu locations now feature live webcams showing exactly how many patrons are in line at any given time. Visitors can simply check the office's web site ahead of time to see if its clear to stop in. The system uses cheap cameras sourced from eBay, and the change has helped shorten overall waits to as little as 10 minutes. Officials now offer pre-screening to help visitors make sure they have all the right documents before they get to the counter.

Officials are also working on a new system that will allow patrons to take a number and monitor the line's progress remotely. The hope is that change will let visitors run errands and otherwise make better use of their time. You can check out a local news report on the changes in the video below.

Continue reading Sick of long lines at the DMV? Hawaii might have a solution

Sick of long lines at the DMV? Hawaii might have a solution originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Mar 2013 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dmvdmv webcamhawaiihawaii dmvtechnologyvideoweb camMon, 04 Mar 2013 10:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20484953/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/04/sick-of-long-lines-at-the-dmv-hawaii-might-have-a-solution-w-v/20484953/article-detail.xml 20484953 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/dmv-line-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/dmv-line-628.jpg <![CDATA[Virginia's Gov. McDonnell proposes elimination of gasoline tax]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/16/virginias-gov-mcdonnell-proposes-elimination-of-gasoline-tax/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/16/virginias-gov-mcdonnell-proposes-elimination-of-gasoline-tax/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/16/virginias-gov-mcdonnell-proposes-elimination-of-gasoline-tax/#commentsFiled under: , ,

VA governor Bob McDonnell at podium

The assessment of a gas tax and the role it plays in a state's transportation and overall budgets has been a topic of discussion for a while, and Virginia state governor Bob McDonnell is the latest to offer up another way to secure more revenue from the state's residents to pay for their roads and public transportation. McDonnell's proposal would eliminate Virginia's 17.5-percent gas tax entirely, with funds for infrastructure projects coming from an increase in the sales tax from five percent to 5.8 percent and an annual $100 fee assessed on drivers of alternative-fuel and hybrid vehicles. He would leave in place the tax on diesel fuel, and naturally, the federal gas tax would remain untouched.

Much of the response to the proposal has been, "Um... what?" - as well as "bad policy," "a no-brainer for dumb idea of the week" and "'bold' and 'unprecendented." McDonnell is right to suggest that a possible response to "any innovative and comprehensive transportation plan" is dislike. Still, we think there are holes in parts of his plan. Virginia's gas tax is already one of the lowest in the nation, doesn't rise with inflation and hasn't been increased since 1986. According to McDonnell, the revenue from it has 45 percent less purchasing power now than it did 27 years ago, so "It's a tax that's losing its value every year."

Raising it, or getting it adjusted to inflation, is for some reason not on the menu. The 0.8-percent bump in the sales tax would bring in $600 million more per year than the current gas tax does, yet to eliminate the gas tax entirely seems a bit much; it might not pay as much as it used to, but its still a pretty fair and direct usage fee, so why not take advantage of whatever it can provide?

On top of that, to jettison the gas tax but then tax owners of alternative-fuel and hybrid vehicles because "these vehicles generate little federal gas tax revenue and therefore need to contribute their share to fund the roads they use" seems disingenuous. That means the SUV buyer pays for roads at the cash register, while the Honda Insight buyer has to chip in at the register and the Department of Motor Vehicles.

And on top of all that, the move to a sales-tax funded transportation infrastructure unlinks the "fair share" argument from "the roads they use." People who buy more goods will pay more for their roads, not necessarily people who use the roads more. It's only a proposal at the moment so it has a way to go before becoming law, our guess is that it will have a long fight as well.

Virginia's Gov. McDonnell proposes elimination of gasoline tax originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Jan 2013 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternative fuelbob mcdonnelldepartment of motor vehiclesdmvgas taxsales taxtaxtaxesvirginiaWed, 16 Jan 2013 09:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20427076/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/16/virginias-gov-mcdonnell-proposes-elimination-of-gasoline-tax/20427076/article-detail.xml 20427076 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/virginia-gov.-bob-mcdonnell-speaks_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/virginia-gov.-bob-mcdonnell-speaks.jpg <![CDATA[California DMV opens door to reissuing classic license plates]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/02/california-dmv-opens-door-to-reissuing-classic-license-plates/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/02/california-dmv-opens-door-to-reissuing-classic-license-plates/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/02/california-dmv-opens-door-to-reissuing-classic-license-plates/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Like in the UK, California's license plates follow the vehicles they originate on, not the owner, so residents can easily pick out cars that have been in continuous California circulation since way back in the last millennium. A car with yellow tags with black lettering was registered between 1956 and 1962, one with yellow tags with black lettering is from circa 1963 to 1969, and one with blue tags with yellow lettering got them sometime from 1970 to 1982.

State Governor Jerry Brown has signed a bill allowing for the return of those plate styles. If the Department of Motor Vehicles receives 7,500 pre-orders between January 1, 2013 and January 1, 2015 for the vintage replica plates, it will begin issuing them for any vehicle for a personalized plate fee of $50. If fewer than 7,500 pre-orders are received in that two-year span, those who submitted $50 payments will have their money refunded. According to the Los Angeles Times, if the program goes through, buyers of the plates will also have to spend a further $40 every time they renew their registrations.

Hemmings has a little history on why the color of one's plate is such a big deal in The Golden State. For those who don't need the lesson, you can check out the press release below for more information on the program and how to order.

Despite some classic car enthusiasts who apparently only want original vintage plates and not these new, so-called "legacy license plates," we have a feeling this one is a done deal.

Continue reading California DMV opens door to reissuing classic license plates

California DMV opens door to reissuing classic license plates originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Jan 2013 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>californiaclassicsdepartment of motor vehiclesdmvlegacy license plateslicenselicense platevintagevintage license platesWed, 02 Jan 2013 10:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20412914/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/02/california-dmv-opens-door-to-reissuing-classic-license-plates/20412914/article-detail.xml 20412914 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/california-license-plate-628-1356965629_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/12/california-license-plate-628-1356965629.jpg <![CDATA[Yes, Virginia, there is a DMV board who decides what you can't put on a license plate]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/25/yes-virginia-there-is-a-dmv-board-who-decides-what-you-cant-p/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/25/yes-virginia-there-is-a-dmv-board-who-decides-what-you-cant-p/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/25/yes-virginia-there-is-a-dmv-board-who-decides-what-you-cant-p/#commentsFiled under: , ,



From the current issue of Car and Driver comes an interesting piece on personalized license plates, and how they are reviewed for suitability. In particular, it focuses on the process exemplified by the Word Committee, which is a board created by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles tasked with approving custom plates.

Many other states have similar boards or processes, but VA's is said to be one of the most thorough. C/D spoke with Word Committee member Melanie Stokes to get a better understanding how their system works. The WC is made up of 20 DMV employees with a mix of diverse ethnic backgrounds and ages. The group meets once a month to review plate applications that have been deemed questionable or offensive. Apparently, the board does not use resources like Google or Urban Dictionary, claiming that their decisions are made "based on what a reasonable person would think when seeing the plate."

It should be noted that, in light of their efforts, the plate "EATTHE" was initially deemed acceptable on a special charity plate which featured "Kids First" at the bottom. The plate gained national attention, only to later be recalled. The clever plate proves that no matter how thorough the efforts, some creatively questionable plates will slip through.

Yes, Virginia, there is a DMV board who decides what you can't put on a license plate originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Sep 2012 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>custom platesdepartment of motor vehiclesdmveat the kids firstlicense platespersonalized platesvanity platesvirginia dmvTue, 25 Sep 2012 18:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20331322/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/25/yes-virginia-there-is-a-dmv-board-who-decides-what-you-cant-p/20331322/article-detail.xml 20331322 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/eat-the-kids-first-virginia_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/eat-the-kids-first-virginia.jpg <![CDATA[Tennessee DMV offices using iPads to speed transactions]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/01/tennessee-dmv-offices-using-ipads-to-speed-transactions/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/01/tennessee-dmv-offices-using-ipads-to-speed-transactions/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/01/tennessee-dmv-offices-using-ipads-to-speed-transactions/#commentsFiled under:



Long lines, short tempers, small staffs and big demand make for a hellish experience at the DMV. The great, wide state of Tennessee is looking to technology for relief. Around the state, at 26 DMV offices, the state's Department of Homeland Security has deployed 76 Apple iPads for drivers renewing their licenses.

Being the creation of a government agency, the program gets its own acronym: ASSETS (automatic self service electronic terminals). Each iPad has proprietary apps installed that let drivers get their renewed licenses within minutes. They can also change their addresses and, in the near future, will be able to schedule road-test appointments.

ASSETTS cost $79,200 and replaced old equipment already being replaced. While Tennessee residents won't be able to put the app on their own iPads, the same services are available online.

Read the full press release below.

Continue reading Tennessee DMV offices using iPads to speed transactions

Tennessee DMV offices using iPads to speed transactions originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Jul 2012 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Apple iPadASSETSdepartment of motor vehiclesdmvdrivers licenseHomeland securityipadSci/Techtennesee+dmvtenneseedmvtennesseetennessee+dmvtennesseedmvSun, 01 Jul 2012 16:03:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20267428/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/07/01/tennessee-dmv-offices-using-ipads-to-speed-transactions/20267428/article-detail.xml 20267428 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/ipadassets628-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/ipadassets628-opt.jpg <![CDATA[California 9/11 license plate funds used to shore up deficit]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/30/california-9-11-license-plate-funds-used-to-shore-up-deficit/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/30/california-9-11-license-plate-funds-used-to-shore-up-deficit/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/30/california-9-11-license-plate-funds-used-to-shore-up-deficit/#commentsFiled under: ,

California 9/11 Memorial License Plate

We've never really understood the logic behind purchasing a specialized license plate to fund some sort of cause. Wouldn't it make more sense to just send your money directly to whatever organization is championing the issue and slap a bumper sticker on your car next to the standard plate?

Indeed, California drivers who paid for a special 9/11 memorial plate might consider this option the next time they get out their checkbook at the DMV. Because according to an Associated Press report, the state has not been making good on its promises to use the money collected through sales of the special plates to fund scholarships for children of 9/11 victims and underwrite anti-terrorism initiatives.

Of the $15 million collected through sales of the plates, $3 million has been used to fill holes in the state budget, paying for programs that have little or nothing to do with terrorism. Further, the state stopped funding the scholarship program seven years ago, while continuing to advertise the plates as a benefit to children of 9/11 victims, according to the report. It has since updated its website to remove references to the scholarship program.

The memorial license plates cost $50 and then $40 to renew each year, and were introduced in 2002. Over 200,000 plates have been purchased or renewed since then, according to the report.

While each of the plates reads "We will never forget," apparently state agencies who have spent the money on routine operations have. "They are not following the spirit and intent of the legislation," Herb Wesson, the former speaker of the California Assembly and author of the license plate bill told the AP.

California 9/11 license plate funds used to shore up deficit originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 May 2012 17:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>911911 memorial license platecaliforniadmvlicense platememorial license plateWed, 30 May 2012 17:13:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20247661/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/30/california-9-11-license-plate-funds-used-to-shore-up-deficit/20247661/article-detail.xml 20247661 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/california-never-forget-plate_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/california-never-forget-plate.jpg <![CDATA[Chrysler said to be mulling sale of company-owned dealership]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/06/chrysler-said-to-be-mulling-sale-of-company-owned-dealership/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/06/chrysler-said-to-be-mulling-sale-of-company-owned-dealership/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/06/06/chrysler-said-to-be-mulling-sale-of-company-owned-dealership/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Chrysler Motor Village

Chrysler is reportedly looking into selling Motor Village, its prized company-owned downtown LA dealership, to settle a dispute with franchise Chrysler dealers. According to California state law, a company-owned dealership cannot reside anywhere within a 10-mile radius of a franchise dealer. Chrysler's prized Motor Village is within 10 miles of three franchise dealers.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles is investigating the situation at the urging of the California New Car Dealers Association, which has prompted Chrysler to look for a buyer. If the DMV decides Chrysler is in the wrong, the company stands to lose its license to operate the facility. Selling the location to a franchise dealer would settle the dispute once and for all. Whatever shakes out, the potential loss of its business license and flagship dealership must be a bitter pill for Chrysler to swallow.

Chrysler said to be mulling sale of company-owned dealership originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>california department of motor vehicleschryslerchrysler dealershipchrysler motor villagedmvlalos angelesmotor villageMon, 06 Jun 2011 08:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19958568/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/06/06/chrysler-said-to-be-mulling-sale-of-company-owned-dealership/19958568/article-detail.xml 19958568 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/chrysler-motor-village630opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/chrysler-motor-village630opt.jpg <![CDATA[Florida cancels online learner's permit test after finding over 50% can't pass test in real life [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/07/florida-cancels-online-learners-permit-test-after-finding-over/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/07/florida-cancels-online-learners-permit-test-after-finding-over/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/07/florida-cancels-online-learners-permit-test-after-finding-over/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Person waiting in line at the DMV
No more online Learner's Permit option for Florida drivers - Click above to watch video after the jump

If you live in Florida and are getting ready to take the test to get you're learner's permit, you better head to Google Maps and find the location of the nearest DMV. For the past decade, potential new drivers had the option of taking their permit test online. This practice just came to a screeching halt when they found that a large percentage of drivers passing the online test failed the in-person version. How large? Over 50 percent.

Emotions are predictably mixed, but we're all for fine-tuning a program that gives people the privilege of piloting two-ton murder mobiles. Having smarter drivers on the road leads to a better motoring experience for all of us. It's even plausible that a more knowledgeable pool of drivers could lead to fewer accidents and reduced insurance premiums.

Hop the jump to view My Fox Orlando's segment on the matter.

[Source: My Fox Orlando]

Continue reading Florida cancels online learner's permit test after finding over 50% can't pass test in real life [w/video]

Florida cancels online learner's permit test after finding over 50% can't pass test in real life [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>department of motor vehiclesdmvdrivers licensefloridaflorida dmvlearners permitlearners permit testonline driving testonline learners permitvideoFri, 07 Jan 2011 14:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19791909/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/01/07/florida-cancels-online-learners-permit-test-after-finding-over/19791909/article-detail.xml 19791909 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/fl-learners-permit_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/fl-learners-permit.jpg <![CDATA[Report: Kansas to cease allowing motorists to have 'duplicate' personalized plates. Wait, wha?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/31/report-kansas-to-cease-allowing-motorists-to-have-duplicate-p/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/31/report-kansas-to-cease-allowing-motorists-to-have-duplicate-p/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/31/report-kansas-to-cease-allowing-motorists-to-have-duplicate-p/#commentsFiled under: ,



Kansas is revamping the way it issues vanity plates, and it means a lot of residents are going to lose their 'duplicate' personalized plates. They're not really duplicates, though: Unlike most states, Kansas allows people in different counties to have the same alphanumeric combination, so while the tags might appear to be copies, they are registered in different counties and that technically makes them different plates.

According to Kansas.com, the problem with that strategy is that law enforcement officials in hot pursuit have a hard time reading which county a car's "JAYHAWK" plate is registered to, so they have been behind the push to change the policy. The Kansas DMV is in the process of figuring out who registered each of these 'duplicate' plates first, and then it plans to send letters to anyone else with that same alphanumeric combo to let them know they can't renew it.

Just as novel as finding out Kansas allowed multiple copies of a tag in the same state was the list of the top ten vanity plates chosen. It's arguably embarrassing that the number one plate is "HUSKERS," which amounts to cheerleading for a team in another state, like "SOONERS" in the seven spot. The home team, "JAYHAWK" comes in second, followed by Larry the Cable Guy's slogan, "GITRDUN," which is more popular than the Kansas City "CHIEFS" in number four. Ah, Kansas, what are we going to do with you? Hat tip to Dude!

[Source: Kansas.com | Image: Robinrkc - C.C. License 2.0]


Report: Kansas to cease allowing motorists to have 'duplicate' personalized plates. Wait, wha? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dmvkansaslicenselicense plateslicense platsLicensePlatesLicensePlatspersonalized platesPersonalizedPlatestagsvanity platesVanityPlatesThu, 31 Dec 2009 18:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19299177/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/12/31/report-kansas-to-cease-allowing-motorists-to-have-duplicate-p/19299177/article-detail.xml 19299177 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/kansas_vanity_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/kansas_vanity.jpg <![CDATA[Can you name that road sign? Take this quiz and find out]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/06/can-you-name-that-road-sign-take-this-quiz-and-find-out/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/06/can-you-name-that-road-sign-take-this-quiz-and-find-out/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/06/can-you-name-that-road-sign-take-this-quiz-and-find-out/#commentsFiled under: , ,



A couple of weeks ago, we challenged you to take a shot at a written driving test. The test wasn't designed for rocket scientists, but a few of you justifiably complained about the confusing verbiage in some of the questions, and the fact that some laws vary from state to state. Yeah, some of you flunked.

Moving forward, the folks over at AutoInsurance.org have offered us a new exam -- based simply on road signs. This should be easy. After all, road signs are designed to be comprehended at a glace, day or night, in rain or shine, even if English is your fourth language.

Toss your apprehensions aside. This 19-question quiz won't bewilder or baffle you with a superfluity of words, and the pictographs generally mean the same thing in all municipalities. So no excuses this time... Go ahead, take the quiz.

[Source: Autoinsurance.org]

Can you name that road sign? Take this quiz and find out originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Sep 2009 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Auto Insurance.orgAutoinsuranceAutoInsurance.orgDMVExaminationQuizRoad SignRoad Sign Testroad signsRoadSignRoadSignsRoadSignTestSign testSignTestTestSun, 06 Sep 2009 17:03:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19152488/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/09/06/can-you-name-that-road-sign-take-this-quiz-and-find-out/19152488/article-detail.xml 19152488 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/road_sign_2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/road_sign_2.jpg <![CDATA[Could you still pass a driving test? Take this quiz and find out]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/20/could-you-still-pass-a-driving-test-take-this-quiz-and-find-out/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/20/could-you-still-pass-a-driving-test-take-this-quiz-and-find-out/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/20/could-you-still-pass-a-driving-test-take-this-quiz-and-find-out/#commentsFiled under: , ,



If you are like most of us, you look back at your first DMV-issued driving test - that one you took with a dull nub of a pencil while standing in a crowded room - and remember racking your brain over questions that not only made no sense, but some that were downright confusing. Whether we approve of the age-old process or not, everyone eventually passes their first driving test (and it seems many forget everything the moment they hit the highways).

Now that you are well-seasoned driver with years (or decades) of experience under your seatbelt, and you know all the rules of the road, the folks over at AutoInsurance.org are offering you a chance to take a quick driving test all over again. Don't worry, this isn't a government-issued quiz (we can't recall our local DMV ever giving us a multiple-choice test with "flip him the bird" as a potential answer), and it won't count on your driving record. However, it will make you ponder about a few rules of the road that many of us have tossed into the cobweb-laden parts of our brains. Go ahead, take the test, and brag about your results in our comments section!

[Source: AutoInsurance.org]

Could you still pass a driving test? Take this quiz and find out originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Auto Insurance.orgAutoInsurance.orgBMVbureau of motor vehiclesBureauOfMotorVehiclesDMVdrivers testDriversTestDriving SchoolDriving TestDrivingSchoolDrivingTestQuizTestThu, 20 Aug 2009 15:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19134758/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/08/20/could-you-still-pass-a-driving-test-take-this-quiz-and-find-out/19134758/article-detail.xml 19134758 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/driving_test_2_580_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/driving_test_2_580.jpg <![CDATA[Colorado pulling popular cancer awareness license plate over funding controversy?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/28/colorado-pulling-popular-cancer-awareness-license-plate-over-fun/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/28/colorado-pulling-popular-cancer-awareness-license-plate-over-fun/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/28/colorado-pulling-popular-cancer-awareness-license-plate-over-fun/#commentsFiled under: ,



Colorado's specialty "Committed to a Cure" license plate was rolled out in 2005. According to the women behind it, the goal was to "create broad awareness about the breast cancer crusade," and Coloradans have paid $50 to put the plates on their cars. A recently passed bill in the Colorado Legislature will add another $25 to that fee, and that extra surcharge has compelled the current plate's designers to ask for it to be retired.

The $25 will be applied to a fund that pays for treatment for uninsured women who have breast or cervical cancer. Carol Hickman, who had the original idea to create such a plate for Colorado is behind the movement to retire the current plate, says that since "there's no research component... it's not going to the overall purpose of committed to a cure." If the disease itself isn't being addressed with the surcharge, Hickman feels it's better not to allow the current plate to be used.

The uninsured women who have breast cancer and would benefit from treatment assistance would probably call that an overly strict definition of the word "cure." There is also the fact that no portion of the $50 vanity plate fee -- paid for 28,602 plates -- has gone to breast cancer research or treatment: half of that money goes to the DMV to pay for the plate and license services, the other half goes to highway maintenance.

A new plate breast-cancer-themed will be unveiled by November 1. Current plate holders have the option of trading plates when the new design arrives, or keeping theirs until 2012. The $25 surcharge will be optional until then.


[Source: 9 News | Image: Colorado House Democrats]

Continue reading Colorado pulling popular cancer awareness license plate over funding controversy?

Colorado pulling popular cancer awareness license plate over funding controversy? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breast cancerBreastCancercoloradodmvgovernmentlicense plateLicensePlatevanity platesVanityPlatesTue, 28 Jul 2009 18:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19105250/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/07/28/colorado-pulling-popular-cancer-awareness-license-plate-over-fun/19105250/article-detail.xml 19105250 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/colorado-breast-cancer-plate-630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/colorado-breast-cancer-plate-630.jpg <![CDATA[VA driver's licenses going black-and-white to thwart counterfeiters]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/26/va-drivers-licenses-going-black-and-white-to-thwart-counterfeit/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/26/va-drivers-licenses-going-black-and-white-to-thwart-counterfeit/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/26/va-drivers-licenses-going-black-and-white-to-thwart-counterfeit/#commentsFiled under: , ,

To aid in the fight against counterfeiting, Virginia is combining new tech with old: lasers and black & white photography. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles has ceased issuing licenses made from layers of plastic, replacing them with cards that use neither layers nor photographs.

The new licenses have a color background, but the photographs are laser etched in black-and-white since lasers can't yet etch in color. The new IDs also sport a bit of microprinting and a transparent second picture, behind which is the person's name in some squiggly print. It's not the prettiest driver's license in the world, but if it helps you hold onto your identity, that's got to count for something. It also gives someone in the DMV purchasing department a chance to say "I've been looking for a good reason to buy a laser..."

[Source: The Associated Press via NBCWashington.com]

VA driver's licenses going black-and-white to thwart counterfeiters originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dmvetcgovernmentidid carIdCaridentificationidentification cardIdentificationCardlicensevirginiaThu, 26 Feb 2009 18:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1472031/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/02/26/va-drivers-licenses-going-black-and-white-to-thwart-counterfeit/1472031/article-detail.xml 1472031 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/02/va_bw_id5_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/02/va_bw_id5.jpg <![CDATA[A peek into the garages of the world's billionaires reveals... a 13-year-old Volvo?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/10/a-peek-into-the-garages-of-the-worlds-billionaires-reveals-a/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/10/a-peek-into-the-garages-of-the-worlds-billionaires-reveals-a/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/10/a-peek-into-the-garages-of-the-worlds-billionaires-reveals-a/#commentsFiled under:

Nate Chapnick over at ForbesAuto.com is either terribly resourceful or amazingly persistent, as he's gone to the trouble of ringing up DMVs around the U.S. in order to find out what car keys America's billionaires secret in their suit pockets.

Judging by a list that includes far more prosaic iron than one might think, perhaps being a plain-ol' millionaire is somehow a more liberating existence. Okay, so perhaps the aformentioned Volvo, a 1993 240 GL owned by Ikea founder Ingvar Kamprad makes some sense. But c'mon: Paul Allen of Microsoft's got nothing better to trundle about in than a 1988 Mazda B-Series? Somehow we doubt he'd even let his maid roll curbside to snag the day's Wall Street Journal, let alone use the aging pickup as his daily driver.

Mind you, even though we're all for being thrifty and not throwing our billions on chrome-plated Lamborghinis (you'd never suspect that Autoblog editors command ten-figure salaries from a peek into our garages), we still can't wrap our heads around fellow Microsoftian Steven Ballmer's 1998 Lincoln Continental.

A peek into the garages of the world's billionaires reveals... a 13-year-old Volvo? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Mar 2006 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ballmerBill GatesBillGatesBillionaireDMVMicrosoftPaul AllenPaulAllenFri, 10 Mar 2006 11:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/598248/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/03/10/a-peek-into-the-garages-of-the-worlds-billionaires-reveals-a/598248/article-detail.xml 598248 http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/03/Volvo-240-GL-Wagon-resized_thumbnail.jpg http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/03/Volvo-240-GL-Wagon-resized.jpg -1 2