With celebrating a birthday in the month of July, and being 6 years since the last time it had to be done...I had to make the dreaded pilgrimage to the Maine DMV to renew my licence! Now...I've been driving since I was 16, so that makes 32 on he road, and I consider myself a very good driver...with the exception on one traffic violation...one in 32 years, and yesterday, It came back at me!

Jill Waterman/Getty Images
Jill Waterman/Getty Images
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The year was 1997, I was working in Presque Isle at one of our sister stations, Big Country 97, and covering the New Hampshire 300 in Loudon New Hampshire....ah yes, I remember it well.

Now if any of you have ever driven around New Hampshire Motor Speedway, once you get past the main gate...there are no more entrances, and well...I drove right past the main gate. Now not being familiar with the area past the racetrack, I looked for an are to turn around, and obviously the line of traffic ahead of me did the same thing, and found what appeared to be and area to make a U-Turn and head back...but the New Hampshire State Police officer sitting right there, hit the jackpot...stepping out of his car, pointing to all 7 vehicles to pull over, and promptly writing up seven $72 tickets for an illegal U-Turn!

I accepted my ticket, went about my weekend, and when I returned to Presque Isle, I begrudgingly paid it, case closed...or so I thought!

Yesterday, at the Maine DMV, ticket #182 was dispensed, and #163 was just being called to the window, so I had some time to kill~! About an hour later my number was called, I went about my business, renewed my licence when the clerk, who was very polite I must add, asked if I had a New Hampshire licence, I replied 'No'! She then informed me, well your licence is suspended in New Hampshire, but it's OK, here's the info to get it straightened out, and cheerily told me to have a good day!

When I get back to my car, I call the number to NH DMV...and was informed of above mentioned violation, to which I also informed them it was promptly paid! Well not according to the state of New Hampshire, and that my licence for driving in NH is under suspension! I was told if I could get them my bank records from 18 years ago...it would be cleared up...ARE YOU KIDDING ME? 18 years, hell, I tried to get a bank statement from 8 years ago and was laughed out of the bank, let alone 18 years ago, I was living in Aroostook County, with a different bank, and I am not a hoarder, and don't have checks from 1997 just laying around!

I told them I'd just re-pay the fine and get my name off the suspension list and go on my way...so now she tells me that the fine of $72...plus the $100 reinstatement fee and the $50 late fee...my ticket in now $222!!!

So here's my question...first, why haven't I heard about this sometime over the last 18 years...second, should I be required to pay the late fee and reinstatement fee...plus here's a point of discussion...my name was mis-spelled on the ticket and in their files...hmmmm!

Let me know what you think!

 

 

 

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