State Senator Wiener to DMV: Stop writing 'San Fran' on driver's licenses

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- State Senator Scott Wiener is clapping back at the DMV for reportedly issuing a series of driver's licenses to San Francisco residents listing the city of residence as "San Fran."

San Franciscans havepride for their city, and some strong feelings about what to call it. When the tourists say "San Fran," most locals roll their eyes. But putting the despised nickname on driver's licenses was a bridge too far for State Senator Wiener.

He sent the DMV a letter asking them to stop using the "intolerable term," which many San Francisco residents share their distaste for.

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"On behalf of all self-respecting residents of the City by the Bay, I'm asking DMV to promptly cease & desist this nonsense," he said in a letter shared on his X page Wednesday.

He says one lifelong San Francisco resident, upon learning her daughter had received one of these offending licenses, promptly advised her to "burn it."

"I tried to make a little bit of light of it and have some fun with it while also conveying that this needs to be corrected, and I'm confident it will be corrected," State Senator Wiener told ABC7 News.

The DMV sent this statement to ABC7 News:

"The DMV agrees: whether you prefer to be from The Bay, SF, or The City, a no-nonsense "San Francisco" works best on a driver's license.

We're aware that a city abbreviation issue occurred recently for a relatively small number of customers during a short timeframe.

We have already made a fix, and those who received a card with the incorrect abbreviation can visit a DMV office for a no-charge replacement."

Anita Gore of DMV Public Affairs

State Senator Wiener is calling it a teachable moment.

"A lot of people who do not live in San Francisco do call it San Fran. San Franciscans hate that phrase phrasing," he told ABC7 News. "And so, I think it's a good opportunity to educate people that that's not how you refer to San Francisco."