Q. Hello Honk: I am more than 70 years old and understand there are different driver’s license guidelines for me compared to those under 70. I have a Real ID driver’s license that’s due for renewal in December. The Department of Motor Vehicles recommends that I begin the renewal process online. The DMV site instructions tell me to submit a birth certificate or a passport. I had to do that to get the Real ID originally. Is it now necessary to submit such proof of identity every time my license is renewed?
– Candia Milliken, Orange
A. No.
Once you have a Real ID on your driver’s license or ID card, Candia, you don’t need to go through all of that again.
“Correct,” Chris Orrock, a DMV spokesman, told Honk when the roads scholar was ensuring his memory remains as sharp as his wit. “The renewal process does not require the customer to submit anything but a renewal application. The documents are saved.
“However,” Orrock added, “if the customer changes address they will need to provide proof-of-residence documents.”
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Q. Honk: There seems to be a lot of trash on the sides of our freeways and on the on- and off-ramps. I occasionally see signs on the side of the freeways stating it is a $1,000 fine for littering. It doesn’t seem to be much of a deterrent. Has anyone ever been fined for littering, or is this merely another empty threat?
– Jeff Hart, Solana Beach
A. Some have been penalized, Jeff, but not enough – the trash on freeway ramps and shoulders is proof of that, right?
In the five years ending this past Dec. 31, the California Highway Patrol has issued a citation or arrested 980 accused offenders for littering, according to the agency’s stats. Another 4,086 suspected offenders were cited or arrested for discarding a lit or unlit cigarette.
Those numbers are only for the CHP, which mainly patrols freeways and state highways, and do not include other police agencies. Also, there are other codes that can be cited for somewhat similar offenses.
It isn’t easy for officers to catch the violators.
“The hard thing is, they have to witness them doing it,” said Jaime Coffee, a CHP spokeswoman in Sacramento.
Circumstantial evidence, under the law, doesn’t apply to these Vehicle Codes.
Coffee suggests motorists carry a litter bag in the car or truck, so Iron Eyes Cody doesn’t tear up.
HONKIN’ FACT: The LA Metro bus that burned down to its frame, not far from Dodger Stadium during an unruly fan celebration of the team’s World Series win last week, was a 2020 model built by New Flyer. Patrick Chandler, a spokesman for LA Metro, told Honk it cost $972,289 new. Because the agency self-insures up to $12.5 million, a strategy some public governments do to save money overall, taxpayers are on the hook for the entire loss.
To ask Honk questions, reach him at honk@ocregister.com. He only answers those that are published. To see Honk online: ocregister.com/tag/honk. To see him on the social media platform X: @OCRegisterHonk