Category: Blog

Have you applied for an SBA EIDL loan? If you have applied for an Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) loan to help your small business, you're not alone. According to the SBA, over 3 million people applied for the EIDL loan program when it started its "$10,000 Advance" program on March 30th. It was so popular that on April 15th the SBA announced they stopped accepting applications to the program. If you have applied, it is highly likely that you haven't received anything yet. According to our self-reporting EIDL tracker on our sister site, Skip, 97.7 percent of EIDL applicants have still not received anything. Here's the latest information. According to our data, only around 2% of people have received some part of the EIDL Advance. We launched our EIDL self-reporting tracker on Thursday April 9th and since then have had tens of thousands of SBA EIDL applicants enroll into our progress tracker. Among other things, we ask people to...

Need to apply for unemployment? Here is your guide to state resources and applications. In the last 3 weeks over 20 million people have applied for unemployment across the US. That's around 15% of the US workforce and projections show that this could go as high as 20%. That's 1 in 5 US workers. Here's your guide on how to apply in each state. Note: We are updating this page with more information frequently. Check back often as updates are made daily.   Select your state to apply for unemployment   How to apply for unemployment in Alabama You can file an Alabama Initial Claim for unemployment here. They have many online resources there too, via the Alabama Department of Labor.   How to apply for unemployment in Alaska You can file an Alaska's Unemployment Insurance (UI) program for here. The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development provides other resources on their website, including specific information on COVID-19 scenarios and benefits.   How to apply for unemployment in Arizona You can apply...

On Saturday February 29th, 2020 we sent our first daily coronavirus daily update. There were 64 confirmed cases in the US. 40 days later we now have over 418,000 confirmed cases in the US. Here are the coronavirus headlines of our emails from the past 40 days We have posted all of our past daily coronavirus email updates and the headlines for the past 40 days. We did this to not only document the rapid scale of change that has taken place but to also provide a historical resource for all of us. Enroll in our daily emails so you continue to get critically important information. Or visit GetCoronavirusHelp.com for more important financial, testing, and pandemic related information and resources. Thank you for your continued support and feedback.   February 29th, 2020: 3 New Oregon, California, Washington Cases, Latest Infection Map On Friday February 28th, three new US cases of the Coronavirus were announced in California, Oregon, and Washington. One in Santa Clara county in the Bay Area,...

On Friday April 3rd, the US CDC recommended that American's wear face masks in public to protect against the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Here's what you need to know. Plus, our interactive survey that asks: Will you wear a mask? What you need to know about the CDC's recommendation to wear masks Based on data that shows that a significant portion of COVID-19 infected people do not show symptoms ("asymptomatic"), the CDC has recognized that spread may happen when people are in close proximity and it's difficult to maintain social distancing 100% of the time. According to the CDC, "In light of this new evidence, CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission." Will YOU wear a face mask in public?   Here's how to make your own face masks. The NYTimes has put together an 8-step guide to making your own face mask, which includes...

Here is the ultimate guide to the Paycheck Protection Program to help you as a small business or independent contractor during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Ultimate Guide to the Paycheck Protection Program The Paycheck Protection Program is a $349 billion dollar fund that helps small businesses and independent contractors retain jobs and certain other expenses. This fund was created as part of the CARES Act and the response to the COVID-19 national emergency. Under this program: Eligible recipients may qualify for a loan up to $10 million determined by 8 weeks of prior average payroll plus an additional 25% of that amount. Loan payments will be deferred for 6 months. If you maintain your workforce, SBA will forgive the portion of the loan proceeds that are used to cover the first 8 weeks of payroll and certain other expenses following loan origination.   Paycheck Protection Program: Who can apply? The program is for any small business with less than 500 employees (including sole proprietorships, independent contractors, and self-employed persons),...

Announcing Free California DMV Assistance to Help with the Real ID Transition Today, we're thrilled to announce something our entire team is proud of: We're making our DMV appointment and assistance services free for everyone in California!  Our mission as a company has always been to make government services more accessible and to help governments themselves. The Real ID switch is daunting for every state in the US, especially California. We're making this announcement to specifically help more Californians better prepare for their DMV visit and get their Real IDs painlessly before the October 2020 deadline. Nearly 75% of all licensed Californians still need to get their Real ID, according to the Los Angeles Times. The California DMV has put together fantastic resources to help residents of California  understand exactly what they need on their DMV visit, and their Real ID specific website even has a great chatbot you can use. Start there! However, if you need after-hours support or just want to live chat with us to...

If you’re wondering if DMV lines are going to get shorter, stop wondering. They won’t. 2/3rds of people with driver’s licenses still need to get their Real ID before the federal deadline of this October, according to our January survey.  Even though most states began issuing their Real ID driver’s license over a year ago, most people have decided to wait to make their DMV visit. Since last January we’ve encouraged everyone to visit the DMV early with the necessary documents to upgrade your driver’s license. Here’s important information to help make the process easy if you’re still waiting to make the switch.   What is the Real ID? The Real ID is the federally-mandated driver’s license upgrade. Every state must comply with the federal upgrade. For us, that means that in order to fly domestically or visit federal facilities after October 2020, you will need the enhanced driver’s license.  Basically, the enhanced driver’s license requires you to prove your citizenship, social security number, and...

In 2019, we started tracking customer experience reviews across all California DMV offices. This is our first report on those findings. We're pleased to announce the good news: The California DMV has been getting higher marks from their customers over the last year. Below we report our findings, which includes customer ratings for the busiest DMV offices in California.    California DMV offices have improved to a 4.2 star rating over the past 3 months According to YoGov data, which comes from the folks we assist for DMV services, California DMV field offices have averaged a rating of 4.2 stars out of 5 stars over the past 3 months. 4.2 stars are high! If that was a restaurant on Yelp you’d probably be interested in going to it. It’s certainly higher than most people expect when it comes to DMV services. Our data from earlier in the year had the overall DMV rating between 3.5 and 4 stars. We’ve published our first California DMV...

Updated Want to avoid the most common mistakes that cause people to fail their driving test? We've compiled the list of mistakes you should absolutely avoid when taking your driving test to get your US driver license. Not only should you avoid this, but by reading this list, you'll understand the most common reasons why people fail their test. We hope this helps you become an even safer and more educated driver. Our goal by publishing this is to help you be a safe driver and pass your road test successfully! For more road test tips, check out our blog or YouTube page. How we came up with the most common driving test mistakes. We have helped hundreds of thousands of people across the US take their driving test, also known as the behind-the-wheel test. We've helped them directly with our door-to-door road test concierge service. This data is calculated from the folks who've failed their test. The good news: Most people pass...

How well-traveled are you? Take our 52 Places To Go In 2020 Quiz! It's here! The New York Times has just published their "52 Places To Go In 2020" article. Annually, this is one of their most popular articles and serves to inspire millions to pack their bags and hit the roads. This year's list is equally inspiring and diverse, ranging from countries to regions to villages and everything in between.   Why you should care about this annual list Here at YoGov we deeply care about inspiring people to achieve their goals and dreams and to broaden their minds. Thats why we're dedicated to helping people get driver's licenses, passports, visas, and more. Travel inspires and brings people together. When the New York Times explained how they came up with this year's list, they said, "Travel also brings people together, enlightens and amazes, and, properly managed, has economic benefits." It's that ethos that we want to promote. The type of travel that broadens the mind....

These strange US driving laws, believe it or not, are still in full force.  Most driving laws in the US were made to protect people and the safety of everyone on the road. If you’ve recently gotten your US driver’s license, then you probably remember these rules from your permit test. These include laws like how you should safely operate a vehicle in emergency situations or that you need to wear your seatbelt.  However, since each state or jurisdiction can make their own driving laws, there are some strange laws that still exist. Many of them were introduced a long time ago in a different time, but still are in effect as laws. While they might not be enforced anymore, they’re nonetheless strange.  Take a look at these 10 strange driving laws that still exist, from an in-depth article by hotcars.com.   Related: Need help passing your US road test? Take a look at these guides.    Women can’t drive in bathrobes in California That’s right, in California...

Nervous before your road test? This breathing technique can help. Are you taking your road test soon but feeling nervous about it? Or even if you're not feeling nervous now, chances are when you show up at the test site and meet your examiner, nervous energy may kick in. In fact, virtually everyone we talk to is nervous before their road test - and for good reason. It's a test. And getting your license is a big deal. And there are things you don't have control over, like traffic conditions, other drivers, and the examiners attitude.   The 4-7-8 breathing technique helps reduce pre-test anxiety and nervousness The 4-7-8 breathing technique, also known as "relaxing breath", involves breathing in for 4 seconds, holding the breath for 7 seconds, and exhaling for 8 seconds. This breathing patterns purpose is to reduce anxiety. For example, people who have trouble sleeping also try this exercise. Before starting this breathing pattern, find a comfortable place to sit. So, if you're waiting...

Skip is like AAA but for government services The team at YoGov is thrilled to announce the public launch of our new membership program, Skip! Now you can get access to dozens of free and discounted government services like express DMV appointments, TSA PreCheck enrollment, and document expiration reminders when you become a member. With a Skip membership, you also get 24/7 access to our team of government service professionals. Take it for a test drive today, with our 30-day free trial.   Skip gives you personal attention and support Avoid wasting hours navigating a government website, waiting in line or on hold. Skip is here to make government services faster, easier and friendlier. We're available around the clock via email, chat or phone and if we can't provide an immediate answer for you, we'll look it up. Save valuable time with Skip One of the most popular Skip services is our express DMV appointments. We help you find a quick DMV office or road test...

Welcome to YoGov's Road Test Concierge Photo Wall of Fame! We've helped tens of thousands of people take their road test in over 40 US states with our #1 rated road test concierge service. We snap photos when you pass your road test, and here are the photos that have made the YoGov Wall of Fame!   Did you make the Wall of Fame? Summer includes folks who've taken their road test June - August. Fall includes folks from September onwards. Summer 2019 Wall of Fame 1 | Summer 2019 Wall of Fame 2 Fall 2019 Wall of Fame 1 | Fall 2019 Wall of Fame 2   Summer 2019 Wall of Fame 1 Summer 2019 Wall of Fame 2 Fall 2019 Wall of Fame 1 Fall 2019 Wall of Fame 2 ...

Updated Can you renew your passport within 1 day? Yes, here's how. Are you in a panic because you just realized your passport is expired and you're about to travel abroad? Don't worry: It’s completely possible to get a passport renewed within a day or a few days for your upcoming trip. Here’s the ultimate guide to quickly renewing your passport, as well as our eligibility quiz to find out if you can get your passport renewed today.   The basics of renewing your passport. If you're over 16, you’re issued an “adult passport." That means it’s valid for 10 years. Once it expires, you need to renew and you’ll get a passport valid for another 10 years.  Renewing can either be done in person at the post office, at a passport agency, or through a third-party renewal service. (We offer expedited door-to-door passport renewals, too). The standard turnaround time is 4-6 weeks for renewals. If you happen to face a life or death...

Whether you’re moving for university or work, coming to the US from another country can be an incredibly stressful experience. When you arrive, your to-do list might be so long you don’t know where to begin. Some of your most basic needs, like finding an apartment and applying for a credit card, can seem difficult or impossible when you dont yet have US credit or any payment history. 😬 However, we've got some good news. Thanks to several innovative startups, many of these new-resident headaches have gotten a lot easier to handle. With over 5 million people moving to the US each year, these companies saw an opportunity to help a lot of people by solving these problems. Here are our 7 favorite genius services to help you get settled! 🏠 Get approved to rent an apartment with Nova Credit The most difficult barrier to renting a house or an apartment, is not having any US credit history, which most landlords require for approval. Your landlord wants...

We're photographing the next generation of US drivers Here's an inside look at an exciting development our team launched 9 months ago as part of our road test concierge service. Getting your driver's license is an big life moment so, naturally, we started taking photos of everyone who passed their road test! Here's the story. Enter our road test concierge service One thing we discovered 2 years ago was this: Getting your driver's license is a life-changing moment and you will remember that moment for the rest of your life. We've been able to help so many people take their road test because of our network of road test concierges. We're thrilled to have the largest network of friendly, reviewed, and experienced road test concierge's in the US. Imagine your friendliest Lyft or Uber driver you've had. Now imagine they picked you up to take you to your road test so you could get your US license. And then helped make the accomplishment memorable for you with...

If you’re planning to get your driver’s license, you’ll need to pass your driving test, or road test. The problem is each state conducts their driving test slightly differently. Our data team has made guides for every state so you don’t have to dig through the internet to find answers. Some of this information has never been published before, including data about specific road test locations, pass rates, and more. What Are the Key Road Test Differences State-by-State? Every state has their basic road test rules. Depending on the state you’re in, there are 5 key differences you should know about and understand before your test day. What is a passing road test score in your state? What maneuvers does the examiner test you on in your state? Is the road test on the open road, a closed course, or both? Does the car have any special requirements, like a center emergency brake? Does the accompanying driver have any special rules, like extra insurance? What...

Skip the Tax Season Pain: Our Top 3 Tax Season Tips The 2019 tax deadline of April 15 is fast approaching. If you’re looking for some quick wins to get your taxes over and done with and prepared for next year, look no further. We’ve done all the digging so you don’t have to. Here are our top 3 tax season tips to help you quickly and easily get your taxes done and maximize your refund. Let Tax Software Do the Heavy Lifting The tax rules this year have changed in a few ways. Rather than trying to learn everything yourself, we highly recommend you use tax software to guide you through the process. There are major companies who automate all of the possible scenarios for you, so all you need to do is import your earnings and follow their prompts. Turbo Tax, TaxACT, and H&R Block are three of the most popular tax software options out there. They help millions of people easily...

YoGov Is Now Live in 30 States Yes, you read that right. Whether you're looking for help with your road test or help with a passport or visa, our concierges are now available in 30 states to help you. This means we're able to help thousands more people have easier access to government services. To date, we've helped tens of thousands of people across these 30 states and we're not stopping there. Our goal is to serve all fifty. Our most popular service is our road test concierge service, where we offer a car, driver and test tips for people taking their road test. Do you need a car for your road test? Check! We've got you covered.   A Year Ago We Only We Only Served California This time last year we were only live in 1 state. We're beyond thrilled to be able to help so many more people! As we've grown geographically, our mission has continued to strengthen and also evolve. We've strengthened...

One of the main challenges people who've been incarcerated face when reentering society is finding a job. One of the biggest barriers to getting a job is not having a driver's license, especially in cities where public transportation is scarce. Just like the reentry-focused Center for Employment Opportunities, or CEO, we believe that everyone deserves a second chance to work toward a better future for themselves and their communities. We're proud to support CEO by helping their participants get driver's licenses and thus greater access to employment opportunities. At YoGov, increasing government service accessibility is core to our identity. By helping CEO's participants get driver's licenses faster, not only does that maximize their chance of landing a job quicker, but also reduces the risk they'll re-offend by a staggering 90%. Here's the story of how we came to work with CEO and support their mission. Driver's licenses open doors for the reentry population "The need for participants in our program to get a driver's license is tremendous....

Behind the Scenes at YoGov: Part II Every year, millions of people take their road test in the US, which is the final step to getting a driver’s license. At YoGov, we've built a network of independent drivers to help accomplish just that: Getting a US driver's license. While we haven't replaced family members or close friends who've long been the pillars of road test assistance, we have helped provide a new option for people. Here we dive deeper into this service, called our road test concierge. We take a look at who uses this service and who the independent drivers are that make this an attractive option in over 25 US states and counting.   People in search of a car and driver for their road test Two years ago, a Berkeley student, Raj, asked us for help with his road test. Raj didn't have a car (and rental cars aren't allowed) so we offered to help. We picked him up, gave him...

The number of U.S. passports issued has surged in the last few decades Americans have historically had one of the lowest passport ownership rates in the world. However, in the last two decades, the rise of globalization along with the increasing competition between airlines has created a massive shift in demand for international travel, and thus, for passports. In 1997, around 6 million passports were issued in the U.S. Twenty years later, in 2017, that number more than tripled and 21 million more Americans carried passports - the highest number in history. What percentage of the population are we talking about? In 1990, 3% of Americans held passports. And today? 42% do. Despite this growth, the U.S. still lags far behind other developed countries. In the UK, for example, a full 83% of the population has a passport! So why are more people getting passports? Aside from globalization, another factor that's drawing more Americans abroad is the power of the internet. In the 1990s, sites like Expedia and...

How to Renew Your Passport: An Introduction Getting your US passport renewed can be an intimidating and confusing experience for anyone. Even if you’ve renewed your own passport before, it was likely some years ago. Chances are, you aren’t aware of all the new online tools and services that make the renewal process far less painful. (Or, like me, you have a terrible memory and can’t remember how on earth you did it!) Passport renewal becomes even more stressful if you already have travel booked. Most of us know someone who was 5 days away from going abroad, only to notice their passport is expired! Also, a number of popular travel destinations like Mexico, Thailand, and Brazil require your passport to be valid for 6 months after your last date of travel in the country, which many people going abroad don’t realize. Luckily, it’s possible to renew your passport on any budget, no matter how tight your timeline. Contrary to popular belief, even if you’re flying...

Come take an in-depth look inside YoGov, part 1 Here at YoGov, we’re incredibly proud to be making government services more accessible for everyone. We’ve helped hundreds of thousands of people navigate confusing government information and processes in over 20 states, thanks to our virtual and in-person government services concierge team, and we continue to help more people every day. Given our dedication to transparency in the face of questions about our services and our pride in how we operate, we've decided to open the kimono and share more about who we are and how our mission defines our operations behind the scenes. As a mission-driven team, we believe there is a future where people have greater accessibility to critical government services. At the same time, we believe government strongly benefits from this too (get ready, we’ve included data below!). Just like Lyft and Lime who have added more mobility options to increase accessibility, we’re adding clear, human-friendly information and modern services to increase...

Real ID California: How many people have already upgraded? We’re releasing our first Real ID survey results for California residents today. Whether you have upgraded your driver’s license to the new federal requirement yet or not, this survey shows you that whatever camp you're in, you’re not alone. Based on our survey, only 42% of our California users have upgraded to their Real ID, so nearly 60% still need to do so. The Bay Area has the highest percentage of people who've upgraded (47%) and the Los Angeles area has the lowest percentage (37%). However, these percentages are far higher than the California population as a whole. Many of our respondents have already used us for DMV-related services, including to get their Real ID. In fact, many people in California still don’t know what the Real ID is and that it is required by Fall 2020. Be sure to get the word out to friends, family, and coworkers whenever you have the opportunity to make the transition...

Why You Need The Real ID and How To Get One In 10 States The Real ID is here and the countdown clock is ticking to get yours. Without one, you won't be able to board a domestic flight. The idea behind the Real ID is pretty straightforward - have a new form of ID that's more secure - but the details on how to get one can be confusing and they vary by state. Here we've taken 10 states that are issuing the Real ID and details the specifics you need to know to get your Real ID. The state's we've detailed in this post are: California, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and DC. Is the Real ID a Requirement? If you don't have a valid passport and plan to fly anywhere nationally, YES, you need a Real ID by 2020. According to the Real ID Act, everyone in the United States will need a Real ID in order...

The U.S. Federal Government Shutdown is affecting both government workers and people who need government services. The government shutdown is still looming, and on Friday, this will become the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. From airports to national parks to federal offices, workers and customers are feeling the strain. Here’s everything you need to know about who the shutdown is affecting and how it could be affecting you.   Essential services, like passport services and the post office, are still business as usual Services that are considered essential to public safety and security are still open for business. This includes passport and social security offices, so if you need a passport renewal or social security benefits, you won’t be affected. In addition, federal programs supported by their own fees, like the Post Office, don’t shut down. Lastly, programs that don’t rely on annual funding approval from Congress, like Medicare and social programs, are also not affected.   TSA workers aren’t getting paid during the...

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  Updated   Keys To Passing Your New York Road Test Whether you plan to drive in the bustling Big Apple, cruise the Catksills upstate or joyride through western New York, there are some basic state-wide requirements you'll need to know to pass your New York road test. Taking your road test can be nerve-wracking. Whether you're a brand new driver or have been driving for 10 years in another county, most everyone gets nervous before taking a test. We know you have better things to do than worry about your road test. We also know that it can be confusing figuring out exactly what you need to do: How do I prepare for my road test? What forms do I need to bring? We're here to answer your questions and make things clear and simple. We've scoured the DMV resources for you, so you can focus on more important things, like hitting the road and visiting family. BEFORE YOUR NEW YORK ROAD...

5 Reasons Why You Should Renew Your Passport Early (and Check The Expiration Date)   1. Most countries require 6 months validity for your passport What does that even mean? Well, most of us know we need a passport to travel internationally, but few know your passport needs to be valid for longer than your stay. In fact, many countries require it be valid for six months beyond your expected return date (yes, you read that right!) If it’s not, you won’t make it past airport check-in in most cases. Why the 6-month rule? Basically, countries don’t want to risk having visitors overstay their passport’s validity, be unable to travel and then become their responsibility. Fortunately, the U.S. Department of State has made a really helpful map resource for you to quickly check! Simply click on the country you’re traveling to and see what the requirements are. 2. Passport offices get backed up at the beginning of the year A new year is approaching, so...

TSA PreCheck Tips for the Busy Travel Season Ahead Too frequently, people remember TSA PreCheck as they are standing at the airport heading home for the holidays, waiting in line to take off their shoes and force their laptop out of their carry-on as others stride past them. This December, expected to be the busiest travel season to date, marks the fifth year TSA PreCheck has been available for the general population to expedite the airport security process. And we all know what that means! Five blissful years of no longer showing strangers your socks as you mill through sluggish lines and hope you make it to your gate on time. Check your TSA PreCheck Expiration Date If you already have TSA PreCheck, that’s fantastic news! If you were an early adopter, be sure to check your expiration date. Those purchased when the program first launched will expire this December, five years after the program’s inception. If you’re new to TSA PreCheck, welcome! After...

The three most common things you need to get done when moving to the US from abroad for the first time.  From getting your social security number, opening a bank account, and getting your driver's license, here's the step-by-step guide to help make your relocation as easy as possible. It's our goal to make the entire process quick and painless for you. This post has been put together by the YoGov Experts team. Here's what this post covers for you: How do you get a Social Security number in the US? How do you get a bank account in the US? How do you get a driver's license in the US? We've selected the 3 most common things you'll need when establishing yourself in the US. We've intentionally left off getting a phone plan and getting wifi. There are tons of posts already covering those. Also, this post does not cover getting Department of Homeland Security authorization to work or study in the...

Here's everything you need to know to pass your DMV road test in the US! Updated May 2019: To get your driver's license in the US, you'll have to take your road test. There's no way around it. This guide will help maximize your chances of passing the test, as well as answer questions like: what is on the DMV road test, what are the common mistakes people make, how is the test scored and what are the car and registration requirements for taking the test? Let's dive in! Note: Every state has slight variations on how the road test is administered, so we hope this post will bring some clarity for you. What is the DMV road test and do I need to take it? The DMV road test is a required step in the US to getting your driver's license. Depending on what state you're in, it might be called something different, like the behind-the-wheel test or the road exam. The purpose of the...

At YoGov, we believe government services should be easy and accessible to everyone. That’s why we decided to be “your government services concierge.” We started by solving the DMV experience. One of our core services has been helping people take their road test while giving them a friendly and helpful experience. It’s called our road test concierge service, and today we’re celebrating having helped 5,000 people take their road tests! If you have a driver’s license, you most likely remember your experience of passing your road test and getting your driver’s license, even if it was decades ago. You probably remember who you were with, what your examiner was like, and what points you got marked off for, if any! Getting your driver’s license is a major life milestone and we’re beyond proud to have helped so many people. Here’s how it all started in the spring of 2017…   How We Stumbled Upon Our First Road Test Concierge Back in early 2017, YoGov...

Which California DMV should you absolutely avoid if you want to pass your road test? Wondering what the chances of passing your road test are? There's been a lot of anecdotal talk about "easy" vs "hard" road test locations. Well, we looked at the data to find out exactly which ones are the easiest and which ones are the hardest. This analytics, done by the YoGov Data Team, looked at tens of thousands of completed road tests across California in the past 16 months.   Taking your road test in the Bay Area? Here are pass rates from San Francisco to San Jose to Oakland The most important thing we noticed in our data analysis, especially in the Bay Area is this: There is no correlation between "non city DMVs" and higher pass rates. Most people come to us and ask us to book them somewhere that's not San Francisco. We'll it turns out that the SF DMV is not a bad place to...

Introducing our DMV Line Waiting Concierge service!  We're thrilled to announce our latest service aimed at helping people access the DMV! If you can afford to wait in line all-day at the DMV, our DMV Line Waiting Concierge service can help. The Lines Are Longer at the DMV Since the Real ID became available this year in California, both wait times at the DMV and wait times to get an appointment have more than doubled. All-day waits have become the new normal. Getting an appointment is even more difficult. Since April, the average number of days to get an appointment has increased from 22 days to 48 days. We've launched our DMV Line Waiting Concierge service as another solution to help people save time while also helping the DMV service more people. DMV Line Waiting Concierge is Part of Our Mission “At YoGov, our mission is to help people spend less time dealing with government services so they can spend more time at work...

Were you planning on heading to the DMV this summer to get things taken care of before you head back to school or go out of town? Good luck! In case you haven’t seen the news, the California DMV is having very long queues, with wait times exceeding 8 hours for people. We've unpacked California DMV appointment wait times right here. The California DMV, to its credit, is quickly hiring hundreds of more people and increasing their opening hours. The long waits are likely to continue through 2020. People are lining up to get their Real ID before it becomes mandatory to have one for air travel. To shed some light on the problem, we decided to dive into data and see how long customers have to wait to get a DMV appointment on average. Here’s what we’ve found.   The wait is over 2 months for the next available DMV appointment The most obvious way to avoid long wait times at the...

It's YoGov's mission to delight people when it comes to government services, and besides great technology we have amazing people helping deliver that mission. When it comes to the DMV road test, we have some truly amazing people who will help you navigate the process and pass your test - Terece is one of them. We're thrilled to honor Terece as the first YoGov Concierge Driver of the Month! Recognizing amazing service! Terece has done hundreds of YoGov concierge trips (this is our service where we help people pass their DMV road test including car access, tips, warm-up and friendly-faces). One of the things we love about Terece is she has constantly gone above and beyond to wow folks. It's amazing! More often than not, the people we help are nervous or stressed about the experience they are about to have (the DMV!). Terece has a way of helping people calm down and feel ready to pass their test while also giving...

When is the best time to get my Real ID?   If you're looking for a great overview to getting your Real ID card, this post is for you. By October 2020 the TSA will start enforcing Real ID card requirements to everyone in the United States for air travel. This guide helps answer all of your questions including when is the best time to get your Real ID card, are there travel alternatives to the Real ID, should I just get a passport, and does my state even have the Real ID card available yet? If you're ready to get your Real ID, you can make an appointment for your local DMV office. What is the Real ID card? The REAL ID Act of 2005 calls for states to issue ID documents that meet a higher level of security and standards. The final part of the roll-out involves the TSA enforcing REAL ID-compliant ID for air travel. That means that if you fly domestically eventually you...

Hate paying for that parking ticket?  Parking tickets have long been an accepted stress of urban living. The threat of getting a ticket is always looming: Where did I park? Do I need to move my car? Is today street cleaning? How much time is left on the meter? Today, cash-poor cities are increasingly issuing parking tickets in an effort to increase revenues. This can be incredibly frustrating for you and hard on your wallet. We put together a few tips to help you avoid these tickets!   Parking ticket survey: Bay Area According to a survey we conducted at the end of 2017, residents in the Bay Area get an average of 2.8 parking tickets per year. The fee for a street cleaning violation in San Francisco is now $73. That means that on average residents are paying $219 per year in San Francisco. That's a lot! We can think of  a ton of other ways you'd rather spend that money. So here are...