As some of you know, I have been sparring with Wisconsin's DMV over a new name change policy. Recently, and unilaterally, our DMV insists that all new (or renewed) drivers licenses bear the same name that appears on their birth certificates. They steadfastly claim "it's the law."
In my case, I have been 'Chico' since 1964. Up until now the State of Wisconsin had that on my license as a K/C/A, or 'known in the community as.' If an officer pulled me over, "Chico" would appear on his computer when he checked for wants and warrants.
While never intended to be formal identification, a Wisconsin license has a portrait, and it is often used as photo ID. In changing my name they negated my credentials for my business license, my credit cards, my marriage license, my medical prescriptions and most of all, my legal identity to the police. It read as an "alias."
Well, I fought 'em. It is not a law, just an internal policy. The law says to provide 'proof of identity' when applying for a new license, of which a birth certificate can work. It is not a requirement. After consulting our local law library, I made an abject pest of myself contacting the Administrative Director of the DMV of Wisconsin, as well as two layers of her administrative staff. Suddenly the adversary climate changed(?) Rather than fight me, they wanted to "work with me."
Obviously their internal staff lawyer or counsel interpretted the law for them. Whatever the move, I did not have to go to court, pay over 300 dollars and legally change my name. Yesterday I was issued a new license bearing the name "Chico." They also backed out the computer damage, and law enforcement will now see that name in police computers.
You can fight city hall, and you can win.
The Tourist 
