License runaround

My elderly parents have lived in a small town in Aroostook County for more than 80 years. The town is small enough that until recently no street numbers were required and the U.S. Postal Service recognized the residents by a post office box number.

My mother recently celebrated her birthday and my father drove her to Caribou for her driver’s license renewal. When they arrived at the counter, they were advised that unless they had something other than a P.O. box to prove Maine residency, the license would not be issued (the former license had been issued with a P.O. box address).

This necessitated that they return home to locate something with a street address. A 10-year-old credit card bill was finally located and they made a second trip to Caribou to finally receive the license. With the price of gas as high as it is, why were they required to make two 58-mile round trips? Considering my parents’ age, couldn’t the renewal clerk have been more lenient and understanding?

JP Lawrence

Boston