Time for a rant.

So Hop, quite reasonably, would like to get a driver's license in the State of Maine, so she can, y'know, get a job more than five miles away. You'd think this would be straightforward. No.
Step 1: Pick up driver's manual, study for permit test. No problem. Easily done. She studied for a whole month.

Step 2: Go in to BMV walk-in testing hours at the time specified in the booklet. Just kidding! We've permanently cancelled all walk-in testing hours. You have to apply to Augusta for a date to take your permit test.

Step 3: Send application and bribe application fee to Secretary of State's office. Wait 2 to 6 weeks (2ish in our case).

Step 4: Discover that Hop needs to have a Social Security number or a rejection letter from the SSA in order to apply for a permit test. Didn't they promise us that SS numbers wouldn't be a national ID number? DIDN'T THEY!?

Step 5: Apply in person at the Portland SSA office. That's happening this afternoon. I'm sure this post will grow in length by this evening.