Anita and the Highway patrol

[Anita]

Hi All--
The other night I was out "girling," and approached a major intersection as the light was turning yellow. I decided to step it up just a little and take my van on through, but it was a wide four lanes--I cut it too close. I spied an Oakland police car on my right, and was prepared for the grilling. He went on through the intersection, though. My heart slowed down again.

But there was a night I wasn't so lucky. I was out clubbing enfemme, and it was still pretty new to me, so I was drinking more than I had in years. I was OK to drive, but it was borderline. I'm flying on the Bay bridge, and there's a closed off line to my right, for work trucks.

For some strange reason, I looked full right, and locked eyes with a California Highway patrolman that was sitting there. I wasn't doing excessive speed, but I saw him pull out. He soon got right in back of me, just hanging out back there. I tried to stay calm.

We did at least one very long mile, and then we were at the end of the bridge. He hit the lights, and I pulled over.

He checked everything out; I said I'd been out performing. He didn't show any attitude about it. He said a second car would be along to give me the field sobriety test.

Second car comes, and this guy does it all by the book. Don't think he called me "ma'm," but he was all business. I was glad to see that I was passing all the tests, because I had had a LOT to drink. I doubt I would have passed a breath test, but we didn't go there.

In the end, he handed back my license, and said, "Well, I don't know why he pulled you over " I had to stifle my smile--I know why he pulled me over! It was for DWD! Driving while dressed! A CHP can spot a wig and a male nose any night, I'm sure.

These guys did me a favor, though. Ever since, I have been very careful to shut down my drinking way before time to go. And I give myself one of the tests they put me through--it's been very useful to me.

We do NOT want to be hauled in the county jail as a T-girl! No, no! So be careful when out clubbing, gals. More caution is required than usual.
Anita

[S. Lisa Smith]

It's good that you got a wake up call before you had to go to jail. I'm in traffic court a fair amount and there are always a bunch of DUI's. For me, I never drink and drive! Far too risky, either in drab or dressed! If you're out partying, get a ride home from a nondrinker or take a cab. Cabs are a lot cheaper than a DUI!!

[Laura]

Hi Anita,

A friend of mine, who goes out dressed all the time advised me it was a good thing to get a drivers license or i.d. with your picture en femme on it. Police may think you are crossdressing to get away with a crime, and this may alleviate that suspicion. Also to get a letter from a therapist or some authority figure to attest to your crossdressing, and ask that if arrested, you not be incarcerated in the men's division (which may save you from serious assualt or worse).

Just something to think about,

Love,

Laura

[Anita]

Hi Lisa--
Amen to that! Jail aside, they make it really miserable for first-time offenders in this state. Loss of license for a period, thousand-dollar fine, work program on weekends...it goes on and on.
A

[Alexandra]

Be careful out there girls, especially if you're not in a area listed in the cities/counties/states with TG-civil rights protection (located elsewhere in this forum) -- even then, spending one night in jail until things get sorted out can be a nightmare.

[Beauty]

Hi Anita,

This was a great post to keep people on their toes and thinking about their actions.

Thank you!!! I'm glad you're ok and safe.

Beauty

[Anita]

Even though I wasn't drinking the other night, it did get me thinking about that jail cell issue. I know of one website where a CD did get a California DL for her femme self, long before she was fulltime. I seem to remember being told they couldn't issue another ID for the same social security number, though. Have to check on that some more.

A letter from a therapist might be good insurance, Laura. As much as I respect the police for normal matters, I don't trust them as much when it comes to TG issues.
A

[RikkiOfLA]

Here's how getting a license/ID works in California. Even if you're not from the Golden State, you may find the system amusing.

1. Anyone can get an ID from the DMV (whether they have a driver's license or not). Why would someone want both? The DMV doesn't know--and doesn't care. Fork over the $ and you can get an ID.

2. You can get whatever picture you want on your license or ID. If you apply in person (for either a renewal or a new one, for either a license or ID, they will take your picture. If you go in en femme, that is the way your picture will appear. That's how mine (license photo) is, and they were completely priofessional about it. No problem whatsoever. (If you renew by mail, they give you the most recent picture they have on file. After so many years (12?) you have to get a new picture and they tell you to come in for your renewal.

Here's where it gets funny, though...

3. They DON'T keep driver's license and ID pictures separate. If you have a male pic on your license and go in for an ID with a femme picture, everything is fine until your license is renewed by mail. Voilà it appears in the mail with a FEMME PICTURE! Happened to a friend of mine who tried it. Remember--they mix ID and license photos in your file. The femme one is the most recent, so you get that one.

4. If an officer asks you about your appearance, you can always tell him you're a crossdresser. It's the truth; it's not illegal to crossdress, and you have no obligation to continue to look like your picture. Your hair can fall out, you can put on weight, you can dye your hair, shave off your beard, etc.--nobody says you have to get a new license.

Hope this helps.

[Beauty]

Hi Rikki,

It does! It really does!

Thank you!
Beauty

[Anita]

Hi Rikki--
It does help, it really does! I was rolling on the floor laughing, from the description about the DMV's "whatever" attitude! That'll be great--to have my male DL come back with Anita's picture!

I got the impression I couldn't have separate femme ID. I'm going to be knocking on their door again, now.
Anita

[Alexandra]

Rikki, that is the most useful bit of information I've learned from this forum lately! Thanks. Its almost like a challenge now! LOL! We'll see!

[Lorna]

So be careful when out clubbing, gals. More caution is required than usual.
Anita

Absolutely! Take it from someone who was not so lucky with the cops.

[RikkiOfLA]

I forgot something verrrrry important!

You can indeed get an ID with a femme picture in California. But to change the NAME on the ID or license, you have to do a legal name change through the courts. And that is not trivial. Not entirely sure of the process, but I do know that it requires posting a legal notice in the newspaper (to inform creditors) and waiting a certain time, and appearing before a judge, and filling out forms, and paying filing fees. Yes, the judge can ask "why" but seldom does, especially if you go in en femme. (It should be obvious by that, but, duh!)



And it's permanent. So they take a dim view of people changing their name back. A REAL dim view of anybody who changes back and forth on a regular basis.

So your femme ID will have a femme picture, but your good old legal male name.

And that, of course, takes all the fun out of getting a credit card in your femme name. (I have one, but never use it anymore). In California when you use a credit card, most of the time they ask for ID. They don't care about the picture or the signature matching. But if the name doesn't match, that's a definite

[Jessie]

RikkiOfLA

Of course if legal name can be male or female does it mater???

Jessie (not legal name but very close)

[Gaven McLaren]

Upon reading this post it makes me almost go in to the DMV to have a new pic taken wearing something out of the ordinary. I am sure it will end up better then my highschool id did my freshman year. I had hair that looked like Alfalfa from Our Gang/ Little Rascals. It was a bad pic though it was always good for a laugh.