From the Chicago Dispatcher, July 16, 2008

Commissioner's Corner
Avoid the headache: Why change of address is so important; and public chauffeur license renewal made easy.

By: Norma Reyes

I'd like to use this month's Commissioner's Corner article to discuss two topics that can cause headaches for public chauffeurs who are not in compliance and otherwise not in the know. The first is the importance of keeping your most current home mailing address on file with the Department of Consumer Services. Per Rule 7.01 of the Public Chauffeur Rules and Regulations, a change of address form must be completed in person at the Public Vehicle Division offices within seventy-two hours of a change. All notices sent from the Department of Consumer Services go to the address we have on file.

Here is an unfortunately common scenario: A complaint that can result in a hefty fine is made against a driver. Through standard principles of due process, the driver has an opportunity to give his side of the story in front of an impartial judge, who will decide whether the complaint is warranted or not. To inform the driver of this opportunity, the Department, by law, must mail a notice of hearing to the driver. The Department sends the notice to the address on file. But let's say the driver has moved the previous year and has not complied with Rule 7.01 and completed a change of address form. Thus, the notice, though sent, does not get to the driver and on the date of the hearing, the driver does not show up. This may result in a default hearing against the driver, making him responsible for the hefty fine.

Two common mistakes that drivers make concerning change of address include:
– Submitting an incomplete change of address form, moust notably by omitting an apartment number. You must be sure to include your entire mailing address. Also, be sure to get a date-stamped copy of your change of address form from our staff. File this copy as proof of compliance of Rule 7.01.
– Submitting a change of address form to the Secretary of State's office, with the impression that this information will somehow get to the Department of Consumer Services. It won't. You must change your address with both the Secretary of State and the Department of Consumer Services.

License Renewal
Another easily avoidable headache for drivers comes during renewal time. All drivers must renew their public chauffeur license on an annual basis during their birth month. We have made many improvements at our licensing facility to help make this process smooth and straightforward. Most recently, we have upgraded our system to include digital cameras for photographing drivers, as well as software and printers that quickly and efficiently create more fraud-resistant licenses.

And as any experienced driver can attest, there are steps drivers can take to limit the chance of long waits and return trips. First, the busiest week of any month is the last week. Don't procrastinate and wait until the end of the month! If you instead come the second or third week, it will be a relative breeze. Also, once lunch time hits, the licensing facility gets much busier. Should you come first thing in the morning, you can get in and out quickly and enjoy the rest of your day.

To avoid unnecessary return trips, be sure to come with all the required documents. All drivers need to have their Illinois state driver's license, their public chauffeur's license, and a copy of their Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) from the Secretary of State's office. All taxi drivers leasing vehicles need to have a letter from their affiliation stating they have satisfied their one-call-a-day requirement. Drivers needing to satisfy a continuing education requirement should have proof of completing a class. Some drivers will have other, specific requirements as well. To save time for both yourself and other drivers at the licensing facility, make the effort to be aware of what you need to renew and come prepared with those required documents.

Again, in the interest of avoiding headaches, being informed on these two topics works much better than aspirinaspirin. With some cooperative effort, we can go far in making renewal of public chauffeur licenses a pleasant and speedy process. Coming prepared and at ideal times increases that likelihood. Also, complying with Rule 7.01 of the Public Chauffeur Rules and Regulations regarding change of address is an affirmative duty of all drivers, and in the end, it most benefits the driver himself.