Car...

A couple weeks ago, I finally got the car registered here in Texas...
Hal and I think the Idaho plates are cuter.

It took so long to get it done 'cause well, I'm a giant slacker in part, and they don't make it easy! The office isn't called the DMV, nor is it at the courthouse (well, it kind of is... it's in a building called simply "the anex" which happens to be at least 10 blocks from the courthouse itself), nor is it under the government section of the phone book. I found a listing with vehicle in the title and called them and they gave me the correct phone number.

Anyways, to get a car registered in Texas you have to: get a card from your insurance company stating you meet the "state minimum liability requirements."

Then take that to the car inspection place where your car gets a check-up, including: if it's driveable, the horn honks, the wipers work, your window tinting isn't too thick, your tire tread isn't too thin (or too thick), the lights all work, and the window rolls down.

If you pass the inspection, you have to show them your proof of liability, then you can pay the inspectors and get your "green slip" (which happens to be white) and your sticker (it's the bottom one) which the inspector sticks to your window.

Then you may go to the courthouse, again show your proof of liability, give them your green slip, pay almost $100, and then you get a license plate and another sticker (the top one). Whew!
After all that rambling, I just want to say I was very frustrated and annoyed by the whole experience!

Oh, and in case you noticed (or didn't): the license plate doesn't have any expiration stickers on it. Apparently people were going around town and stealing them (isn't that a good joke?). So they started doing the expiration date on a window sticker instead.

And just to share:
1. Apparently, 38% of drivers in Texas are uninsured.
2. You have to get an inspection every year to make sure your car is still up to par.
3. You have to re-register your car every year (of course).
Now: if to register a car you have to get it inspected, wouldn't you think you wouldn't have any stinky exhaust cars on the road, or broken down pieces of trash held together with duck tape? AND (this is the best one) if you have to have insurance to pass an inspection and register your car, how is it possible that 38% of drivers are uninsured? Can anyone answer that one?!