Department of Motor Vehicles

I don’t believe this is a fair place to review because unless you get to dunk on Michael Jordan while you wait it’s just not fun anywhere in anyplace

Kaneohe’s Office is the worst office to go to, they were a lot of workers and hardly any people to service and still made us run around the island to get paperwork and still turned us down on the 3^rd attempt. Too much of our hard earn tax money to pay lazy people who don’t gives a rat’s a*** about who comes thru their doors trying to get a ID or a fricken duplicate permit. They need to fire all those stupid workers behind the counter and get the ones who actually care for the common people and not only their relative or friend. No STARS deserved for this department!

Fast and efficient. It says the wait will take 2hrs but its not every time and wasn’t today. I asked my questions and she answered it with excellence; straight to the point with determination. I got my permit renewed and my state id, all in about an hr. But that was just today. These ladies know what they’re doing and how. Thank you

Absolute worst service I have received in all of my life.
Issue #1: instructions on which line to go to and what needs to be filled out prior to getting in line should be the first thing we see at the door.
Issue #2: They said my ID would arrive within 7 – 10 days when I went in there personally, but after I called after 10 days, they said up to 40 days! 30 days pass and still no ID.
Issue #3: The manager took my name and number to call me back and it has been a few days and still no word from him or her.
Issue #4: They wouldn’t give me a number to call to see if my ID made it to the mainland, or a way to track my missing ID.
Issue #5: After 41 days, they tell me it was returned to their department. The address matched completely.
Overall, I was unable to create a bank account due to lack of ID. I was unable to cash or deposit any checks and was nearly kicked out of my apartment. I would have felt better about everything if I wasn’t left in the dark for so long. If you don’t know information, figure it out for your customers.

I would rather give this place a negative five stars! This place sucks! The women employees are just stupid! They don’t want to deal with anyone’s paperwork so they find excuses to tell them they can’t renew they’re permit, etc. just so they can get rid of a long line! Just stupid!

They said my hard copy ID would arrive in 7 – 10 days and it’s been three weeks. And their phone line is always busy. Very inconvenient.

I wish there was an option of negative stars. Then I would give it 5 NEGATIVE stars!!! Horrible horrible!!! I been on hold for a total of 30 mins, when someone finally answered the phone! Not only was the lady rude but wouldn’t even transfer me to the right department. If you don’t know how to work a phone system in this day and age… You are serious a dumb A$$! How do you not know how to transfer a call? Even after a customer told you how long she had been a hold for!!! So I decide to just drive myself down here, only to see less than 30 ppl here! Seriously?!? It’s like dead in here! I have NEVER seen this place so empty, which just makes me more irritated!!! ALSO!!! Since when are Employees allowed to take personal phone calls and text during road test??? Seems very unprofessional and RuDE! Too bad there is absolute nothing I can do or say about it… So I rant my frustration on Unilocal because that’s all that can be done. ps. I apologize but the picture is not accurate. I wasn’t able to snapshot my last minutes with all the frustration going on.

Iam a fairly patient person, but this place would push even Mother Theresa to her limits! just straight up bad management. I understand workers need breaks and lunch time, but to have 75% of the clerks just leave while lines are out the door is pure insanity! Why do we pay any fees to the DMV. It is not deserved! State taxes should be more than enough to fund their substandard service. There are many DMVs that get this right… I don’t understand why the Kalihi location doesn’t get a clue! Expect to spend 2 – 4 hours there if you are getting license. And that’s if you get there at 9am!

Absolutely worst office on the island. Went to register my Vehicle as an Active Duty service member of the Coast Guard, just like we had done in the previous years, only to be told that I needed a letter from my command that I was NOT on active duty for they past four years that I was stationed in Hawaii or else I had to pay back fees on the registration totaling 880 $!! Confused, I questioned the clerk helping why this year was different than any other year and all she could say was my wife and I had been doing our vehicle registration incorrectly over the previous years and that we would have to pay the back registration fees… Still confused and unresolved.
Should have known that something was up with this lady since the gentlemen in front asked me to go ahead of him when he noticed it was her asking for the next customer…

If you’ve been to the Kapolei DMV, then you’ll immediately know why this was given less than 5 stars.
First off, once you enter the building it smells like you just arrived at a seafood market. I can’t figure out why either. Ewww.
Secondly, the colors of each section are obvious, but the starting point is not. I wish it were somewhat like the CA DMV office in which the Information desk is front and center of the facility, therefore is the FIRST desk everyone must hit up to ensure all documents are correct and all (or most) questions are answered before proceeding to appropriate desk.
Thirdly, I had to take the written test for my Driver License in a room that was WAY TOO NOISY! Geez. The employees had no consideration for the test takers. There must have been a break room within the testing area, so that door kept opening and closing. The girls were LOUD. Please be considerate!!!
Lastly, the one great thing about this is it seems Friday afternoons are pretty empty. And there are good places to eat or grab a cold smoothie around the corner, like Thang’s!

Came here to renew my drivers license; I called prior to going to find out what I needed before heading in since the laws changed recently.
To renew your driver’s license you’ll need a birth certificate, social security card, and 2 forms of proof of residence. If you have that, you’ll be golden — I came at 7:30 and got in the line for the 7:45 opening.
I was out of there by 8:10 because I had all my paperwork. They also accept debit card now which is so much more convenient.
P. S. Be kind, these people are dealing with grumpy people all day long — being rude only compounds it and makes them less likey to be kind in return.

It’s funny because everyone knows how this operation works and how hectic and crowded it can get. We are all aware of it but people still complain. I have no complaints here. I heard it was a joke trying to get things done at this location but I had the fastest and easiest process ever. I was in and out in less than an hour and I got both my state ID and License. Prior to doing that I got my registration done right around the corner within that hour as well. How convenient!

Slow slow slow slow slow. Long lines all the time, the lines feel like they never move, the reason why it’s not one star is because my clerk was nice, but I just hate how it’s soooooo slow here.

This DMV always has long wait times with the amount of people coming here to get their Driver’s Permit, Driver’s License, Renew their Driver’s License and now their State ID. It was crazy busy before they offered State ID’s here, why would you make it even busier? Yes, I understand budget cuts and everything but it just makes it more the frustrating for residents to come here. Pray that you’re standing in the right line and that you have the appropriate forms filled out. At least they take credit cards here along with cash.
Parking here is very limited with the stalls in front, you will probably have to park in the strip mall next door. The stalls there are extremely small and people don’t know how to park! Compact cars double park and make it impossible to find parking. Hope that someone who is taking their driver’s license test doesn’t hit your car when they attempt to park. If you come here, make sure to have your phone or iPad charged so you have something to do while waiting in the long lines!

Even though the lines were long (typical for any DMV), I have to say that the people were really nice and helpful there!

Absolutely terrible!
If you can avoid going to this DMV location, definitely do it!
Came here straight after work on a Monday afternoon to renew my Driver’s License. Got here around 3:20PM and they were CLOSED! Sign was posted on the door saying that due to high volume of applicants, they had to close down early. An older lady outside next to me knocked on the door, and a security opened asking what she needed. Apparently the lady’s daughter was inside and she just needed to get to her. Wasn’t applying for a driver’s license, paying her car registration, etc. The security was so rude to this lady. He hassled her and asked her all kinds of questions before slamming the door in her face and denying her entry.
When I was turning around to leave a lady in her 30’s comes running up and starts pounding the door, asking the security to let her in because she needs to return to work. I turned to this lady to ask a simple question, and she rudely snapped at me.
High volume and terrible service every time I’ve been to Dillingham DMV has convinced me to never visit this location again.

This is my first encounter with any of the DMV’s on Oahu. This place takes the cake!!! Fricken unbelievable. I got in around 12:00 & left 2:30pm. I waited two hours in line to be told that I couldn’t renew my license and change of address. I moved here a week before and they expected me to have documents already. So I now need my boyfriend to come with me so he they can verify his residential papers so he can sign it off.
to avoid waiting in line to be told you need more documents. Go to the yellow section and ask them if they can verify all your documents for what you’re going in for. That’s wha the lady at the counter told me.
Not to mention I was stuck in between people who could not stop swearing about the wait. What did they expect? Seriously. We’re all waiting in line.

I honestly have never had any headaches here, as much as other people may disagree. If you come early in the morning, be completely prepared (book an appointment if you are taking a road test, it’s easy online, and only 8 dollars; look up what you need to bring on the website, don’t just ask a friend), and say good morning to any of the employees who cross your path, you will be treated likewise.
I’ve been here a handful of times now for various reasons. As a Canadian (with an American husband) I had to go through a few extra steps to get my paperwork sorted out, the least I can do is be nice and thankful to the people who are helping me.
The line outside early in the morning may appear daunting, but everyone is ultimately there for a different reason. One person is taking a written test, the next person renewing their State ID, the next a road test, the next for a taxi driver’s license, etc. All of these have different lines, and there a tons of employees working in the morning so things go fast. We usually try to get there around 7:20 or 7:30 a.m. Doors open at 7:45 a.m.
Also, I took my written test here and it was hard! I passed on the first try, but just by a hair. I studied and did the practice test. I also had my license for 8 years, but it had expired while traveling abroad. So, definitely study! You can buy the book at (I believe) any 7Eleven. I also passed my road test on the first try, but I took the time to drive around the area the evening before. I had my license before, yes, but that was in Canada and it was in a small town and I drove a 5-​speed, so (5-​speed drivers will understand what I mean) driving an automatic requires some head-​wrapping around two pedals instead of three.
–Stop for 3 seconds at stop signs.
–Watch for and wait for pedestrians to fully cross the street before even turning your wheels toward them.
–Don’t go over 25 mph as you won’t be in a zone that requires you to go faster – especially a school zone!
–Check for bicyclists on the bike lane in your blind spot before turning, and turn only over the broken line, not the solid line because that’s driving in the bike lane.
–Make sure all your lights are working, break lights and turn signals (blinkers).
–Both hands on the wheel the entire time.
–Use your turn signals for EVERYTHING
–Always check your blind spots
–Take your test early in the morning as traffic gets congested in the parking lot at the DMV from around 10 a.m.
It’s really not so bad here, as long as you come in with positive energy. A lot of people come in feeling defensive, but they are people just doing their job and it would make their day and your day much better if you smiled and asked how they are doing this morning or this afternoon. Not to sound like a broken record, but it takes two to tango!

This review is for the Dillingham Blvd DMV.
My Mom came to me and said, «Son, I need to get my state ID renewed.». I said, «OK mom, we will go on Tuesday».
Before:
I then logged on to the DMV website to check for information that I will need to bring with us. In our case we needed proof of citizenship (2 documents) and proof of residence/​address (2 documents).
If you are going to take a road test then this website is the place to make an appointment for that and it tells you what paperwork you will need on the car/​truck.
** DO NOT just walk in without an appointment for the road test and think you will get it done!
The Dillingham DMV does road/​written testing and state IDs along with ALL the other DMV stuff. If you can avoid going to a DMV testing site, Then you should. The Satellite City Halls do not do testing.
The website even tells expected wait time, best time to come and where to park.
During:
We arrived at the DMV 1−½ hours after they opened just like the web site said to do and pulled right into an open parking space. This lot is fairly big and I noted lots of open spaces.
** Come on #1 — Most complains I read on here are NOT because the lot was full but because their «lazy butts» had to walk across the lot.
As you walk in the main door of the building there is a building map on the wall, instructions on the wall and a big oblong counter to get/​fill out paper work.
The next step is to proceed to the «Document check» counter where they will check your paperwork. If you did not bring the right paperwork you will be instructed on what you need to go get. If you have the right paper work they will instruct you on where to go next.
** Come on #2 — You knew you would need the right“Documents”. It is YOUR fault that you did not bring the right paper work not the DMV or the lady behind the counter! I know your can read and you are on the internet. Geez.
Our next line was the line for state IDs and general drivers services. The line was completely full but only took us about an hour. When I got to the counter, I asked lots of questions and the lady answered with a smile then told us «thank you» when we left.
** Come on 3. This is the DMV. You knew before you came it was going to take a long time. There are 1.4 million cars in Hawaii as of Jan 2014 and thousands of kids every year learning to drive. That is 11,000 people a month to get registrations «alone». Add in all the other stuff — Do the math. The DMV has limited buildings, personnel and budget that they can not do anything about. LONG LINES — SUCK IT UP.
Our next stop was to take a picture and pay, This took all of about 10 minutes.
Overall:
Time in then out 2 hours, Parking was easy, Staff was very nice, lines were long (bring a book or game).
Smile

4 stars for this DMV?! Yes. The Wahiawa DMV I would give negative 5 stars to. I think what saved my sanity at this DMV was the fact that I had an online appointment and checked in quickly and was seated for 5 – 10 minutes before I went on my road test. If not for that I would have been miserable because this place is absolutely packed to the gills. What takes a long time is after you pass you gotta stand in line to take your picture and wait for your temporary license and that line was quite long. That took me 30 – 40 minutes to get through that process. From the time I got there till the time I left was a little more than an hour or so. If you’re going to this DMV and don’t have an appointment, or you’re trying to get a permit or state ID, I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re there for 3 hours or more.
As for the actual road test I was a bit worried because I kept hearing the Dillingham DMV has the hardest road test but I didn’t think it was too hard — but not as easy as Wahiawa though. I guess I got lucky because the traffic wasn’t as bad as I was expecting for the area.
Just remember the basics of turn signals any time you change direction even in the parking lot, head checks, stopping before the line at stop signs and traffic lights, and pedestrians ALWAYS have the right of way even if they’re in the wrong. One tip when it comes to pedestrians is that they have to be MORE THAN HALF WAY across the street before you make your turn. If you do those things, you should be good.
There’s a few different routes that you could possibly take but here’s the route I went on. Hope this helps folks that are going to take their test at Dillingham.
Exit parking lot: right on Kohou St., right on Kalani St., right onto Waikamilo Rd., right on Kaumualii St., left at stop sign onto Kohou St., left on Mookaula St., left on Moowaa St., right at stop sign back onto Kaumualii St., straight across stop light and left on McNeill St., at stop light left onto Dillingham and back to the DMV with the last turn being a right turn back onto Kohou St. and and back into the parking lot. I didn’t need to parallel park but you might have to. I added a photo with the route I took outlined in red. Good luck to all who are taking the test.
You can zoom in and go to street view to see the signs and traffic lights and other markings on the road.
Here’s a link for the DMV cameras at all 5 locations so you can check the line before you go. It’s only active during business hours.
P. S. You have to have 15 points or less to pass. Most infractions are 5 points (not doing head checks, not yielding to pedestrians, etc.) some are 2 or 3 points (not making a blinker, etc.). But look at the point deductions on the paper they give you after you check in for your road test. Again, good luck!
P. S.S. Another piece of advice I can give people is if you need ONLY a permit or state ID and you’re willing to drive to Wahiawa, I would do that because after 9 – 10 a.m. there is absolutely no line there. You’d probably be in and out in 20 minutes. So would you rather wait at Dillingham for 3 hours minimum and fight the crowd, the kids running around and crying babies, or drive 30 minutes to Wahiawa and be done in 20 minutes?