Q. Hi Honk: Have you been asked this yet? My legal first name is John — it’s on my license, passport and other important stuff. But I’ve never been called “John.” My family calls me “Jack” and that’s what I answer to. My problem is because I rarely use “John,” many times I will write “Jack” when completing forms. Sometimes I will get asked for ID, which, of course, says “John” and not “Jack,” causing an issue I can generally talk my way out of but not always. Does the Department of Motor Vehicles have a way to add an AKA to a driver’s license?
– John “Jack” Baker, San Clemente
A. Sorry, Jack.
“Customers may not add an AKA, or ‘also known as,’ name to a California driver’s license,” said Andrew Finkel, a DMV spokesman.
“A California DL includes the customer’s true full name, birth date, mailing address, signature, photograph and physical description,” Finkel said. “A true full name is the customer’s current, complete legal name (first, middle and last name).”
Honk is kind of in the same predicament, Jack.
He has to always remember to sign official documents with “James Radcliffe” instead of the more appropriate “Honk.”
Q. Hi Honk: Hubby and I enjoy your column as it gives us information we find very useful. Recently, we’ve noticed rear turn signals on newer cars that are in the bumpers, below the level where we are used to seeing them. This seems to be a less-than-ideal idea because there have been times we truly couldn’t see them due to the vehicle behind them being so close! There is a maximum height requirement on headlights. Why not on rear turn signals?
– Chris Masuzumi, Huntington Beach
A. Honk, as you know, Chris, isn’t very modest. But he is well aware that his survival is based on two truths: His readers ask great questions, including this one.
Under California law, on vehicles from 1969 on, tail lights must be at least 15 inches up from the ground.
Other states may…
Read the full article here
