DMV

DMV gets a bad reputation for overcrowding, long lines, slow and sometimes hostile service, and a complete lack of sense of decent interior design. Well, this place surely fits all that so it’s hard to give DMV a break! I’ve passed by this location several times before 8:00 a.m. and have seen a nearly fully packed parking lot with a line stretched out the door as if they were giving away free TV’s. I’ve come here on several occasions to get work done and it’s always been hit or miss. Sometimes the employees are helpful and do what they can to get you in and out and other times you’ll be treated like a notch on a belt that’ll be tossed in a closet never to be used again. Lets face it, there’s a reason DMV hasn’t made it on a «best places» list but as far as locations go, this one is not all that bad considering the area. If you have to come, then do with pride and an attitude to get out there as if the place is going to collapse any second. Overall, we all must deal with DMV living in California and this location is much like all others. No way around it.

This for the call center the 1−800−777−0133. I ordered SNOOPY license plates. I fill out the form and sent along with a payment. That was in December 2015 the website had stated it would take about 12 months. I wasn’t in no rush. In January 20, 2016 I received the 1960’s vintage plates the one black background with yellow letters. I nevered ordered those. I called first thing this morning (21 Jan 2016). Only to be told it will take 10 weeks or more or 60 – 90 days before they have the paper form microfiche then pulled up for clarification. That women was very rude and not understanding why I was upset. Putting me on hold a few times, (I guess so she could get her bearing together). Then when I asked to speak with a supervisor was told they will call you back. It it 10:56 am still waiting on that call. I called back and was told the same thing, but supposedly I can keep the old plates on my vehicle and I won’t be stopped. When the car’s VIN is registered with this new license plates #? And I made an appointment at this DMV for a new driver’s license, but will bring a folded chair, in case I have to stand outside for the appointment line.

I love this area and this DMV, however, I came to this one to take my behind the wheel driving test, didn’t wait in line at all, waited about average time for the actual driving test. Everything was going smoothly until the actual test. Roads here (given that it’s near hillcrest which is a very busy/​confusing area to drive in) are so hard to drive in. Very confusing streets, lots of yields, lots of one ways, roundabouts. Along with all that, there’s lots of 2 way stops that are very hard to see. I love this area just not to drive in :(

I guess the 3 stars are for the atmosphere. You have your diversity in here for sure. There are friendly, impatient, ghetto, weird. You get it all. Now that I think about it. That’s how all DMV’s are hahahaha. I just got here for daughter to take test for her permit. Thank God, she is allowed to walk right in and take it because the wait right now out the door is 2 hours. I try to do everything online with renewing registration and other things. Too bad test for permit cannot be taken online. Good luck to anyone needing to go to DMV. If it can be done online… Do it there! Avoid the DMV

Friendly, fast and reliable service. Better than all the DMVs I have been in the Inland Empire.

I came to this location without an appointment. There were some shady characters hanging around the place amd was actually surprised they don’t have a security guard around. BUT… I was in and out of there in an hour! AND… the person that helped me was very pleasant
I would still recommend making an appointment and not risk it.

Awful, just awful!
*********ZERO STARS!!!*********
If you find yourself having to go to the DMV, make an appointment so that you only have to wait three hours. I wonder how long they had to wait without an appointment???
One star for the 90+ year-​old drunk, and/​or high lady who kept everyone entertained by all of her shouting. Thanks, you old bat. My favorite was when she shouted to someone getting their picture taken, «show ‘em whatcha got girl! Show him your coochie!!»

All dmvs suck! For many reasons! Staff must get paid very low therefore, they do only the minimum I don’t blame the people working there. It’s the system that they have!

Had to renew my license and apparently by law you have to do it in person (at the DMV) after renewing it by mail twice previously. So I made an appointment a couple weeks prior. My appointment was on a Friday at 8:40AM.
The DMV was easy to find and I didn’t have any trouble finding parking but I parked on the street since it was easier. I got scared at first because I saw that the line had wrapped around the building but it turns out that was for the people without appointments. The line for people with appointments is to the left (window #16) when you enter the building. There were only three other people in front of me (sweet!). The place is pretty small so there isn’t a lot of seats to sit and wait. You get a ticket and you wait for them to call your number or when it shows up on the TV screen. You don’t have to wait inside as you can hear them call out the number outside the building too. Staff were friendly and quick. I believe they only accept cash, check, and debit (no credit cards). I got everything done in 20 minutes! Easy peasy lemon squeezy~
I know there’s always the horror stories from the DMV but today my experience was a positive one. So if you can — MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. Have all your paperwork ready. Don’t put yourself in a nightmare if you don’t have to. Good luck.

Meh.
But honestly, the best dmv I have been to in MANY cities. I had tried to come here three times before, but there was always a mega long line. I made an appointment on line (duh), and although the first appointment wasn’t until 2 weeks later, I got all my issues resolved in one hour. The young lady, very hipster-​ish, super pretty and nice, oh and patient, helped me out a lot! I wish I would of gotten her name!
My tip to you: make an appointment and stand in appointment line. Have all your docs in hand and you will be helped!

Can someone alert the govt that there is this thing called the «internet» that people can use (securely!) to process all sorts of sensitive financial and personal matters and that an «internet» website could easily replace every DMV center in existence.
I am sickened to see all the lost man-​hours of all the people taking time (and money) off work to wallow in the un-​hallowed halls of govt inefficiency.

Had a 9 o’clock appointment and 2 hours later were still here…
If you’re enlisted in the military but are a resident of California don’t expect to pay your typical military fees. $ 250 later…
When we lived in Hawaii registration was only $ 20 for all active duty
At least it’s air-​conditioned

I am well acquainted with the dmvs in the Los Angeles area. Having recently moved to San Diego, I searched for a local DMV. I arrived at around 8:30 am and waited in line for about an hour and a half. I’m currently seated, waiting for my number to be called as I write this review. To make matters worse, a few moments ago one of the employees announced that they were having issues processing license related requests… you’d think maybe someone would mention this to the poor souls lined up outside around the building. Had I been told this I would’ve come back a different day. However, having wasted 2.5 hours and counting, that’s not looking like a favorable option.

I’ve been here a couple of times and have not had a horrible experience. If you do not have an appointment, I strongly suggest that you arrive right before they close, around 4:20 — 4:45 because you can get in and out within an hour. Just don’t make the mistake that I have made and try to run an errand while you’re waiting because if you are not INSIDE by 5pm… They will refuse to let you back in. No Exceptions.
I was upset when the security guard wouldn’t let me back in the other day and he definitely could have handled the situation better. Then I thought about the amount of people that would try to argue with him because they weren’t let back in… so I decided to give him a pass.

I mean, c’mon it’s the DMV, so I feel like it automatically is a bummer. That being said, if you’re fully aware of the fact that you’ll be waiting for quite a long time and you can be patient, this shouldn’t be too painful of an experience.
We got there thirty minutes before opening one day and left about 2 hours later. I just needed to change my name on my license, so I brought all the necessary documents and pre-​filled out form. Being prepared will make things go so much quicker! Once we actually got our little number we were called up fairly quickly. Exchange paperwork, pay the woman, take a photo, and you’re outta there!
Or you could be the advanced model and make an appointment. Those guys were whizzing through the line.

Went once for my new License, and it was rather slow, even with the appointment. Some staff is friendly, some are nasty.
For the vehicle registration, I got one lady that was the worst person I have ever encountered at a business or public office. While trying to figure which paperwork to give her, she treated my lack of knowledge in a way that no one should ever be treated. Even made fun of me to other people next to me. «He doesn’t know what that is? This guy shouldn’t even be driving». Extremely disrespectful. And when giving out the final paperwork, didn’t say a word, or explained what she was giving me.
I wish the best luck to you all dealing with this branch. And I thought the DMVs in Denver and Chicago were bad…

I made an appointment to update my license, so it wasn’t terribly painful, and the whole thing took maybe 30 minutes start to finish.
The people working here have no sense of humor and are MISERABLE. Look, I know that working at the DMV is probably pretty clinical and a little depressing at times, but would it kill you to treat people like humans?

DMV will always be full of people so i highly recommend getting an appointment if your service cannot be done online or thru mail. I did came here with an appointment but because of a busy day, the lady gave me a number that said «non-​appt» i just realized it after 30min of standing up and noticed that the letter before my number is not being called at all. I went back to the lady and she realized that she made a mistake and apologized to me and she went to the other staff to tell him what the situation is. I was helped by the other staff so i got everything i need done, still took me less than an hour though total for everything, so it’s not as bad. Just pay attention to your numbers if you have an appointment your ticket should not have a «non-​appt» word printed on it :-)

The only place worse than the DMV is traffic court. I came here to renew my driver’s license– it had lapsed because I hadn’t changed my address at the DMV and so I never received the reminder notice (if there was one). I had tried to renew online, but then I realized that they were going to send the new license to my old address, and that even though I had a receipt of payment for renewing my license, this wouldn’t hold up with the po po if I got caught driving with an expired license.
I came here on a Monday afternoon around 1 pm, and the line is out the door. When I got to the desk, I explained the situation to the clerk, who gave me the most nonsensical information I’ve ever heard. First she said I’d probably have to pay to renew my license again that day, and ask for Sacramento to send me a refund for the payment I had already made online. Then she told me to drive with my expired license, and that if I got pulled over, that I should just tell the cops that I was renewing. I told her that the DMV website said specifically that having proof of renewal pending was not valid with law enforcement. She shrugged and said, «depends on the cop». Lovely. Then she warned me about the hour and a half wait… which I was already expecting, and would be much more preferable than having to deal with a major fine and having to go back to traffic court (I had a very choice experience there recently– curious? See my review for Superior Traffic Court off Clairmont Blvd). I waited in line– there are not enough chairs in there to seat everyone waiting, there are no outlets to charge your phone (1^st world problems), and there is no rhyme or reason as to who gets called next in line.
Fortunately the girl who handled my renewal had her wits about her and the actual renewal was processed very quickly and I was able to get a temporary pass. The guy taking the photos… not so useful. The pros of the DMV are that I actually was able to do what I needed to do in less than an hour and a half, and unlike what the lady at the front counter had said, I didn’t have to pay twice. Also, if you like people watching, there are some characters there for watching. Otherwise prepare to lose an hour or more of your life in this soul sucking little pit. Bring a book, a snack, headphones perhaps. If I have to come here again, I’ll get a ticket to wait in line, then go have some lunch at one of the nearby restaurants and come back later.

spoiler alert: every first word
In. my mind I’m thinking, «Welcome to the other Happiest Place on Earth!» Yes, the bright smiles and outpouring of joy is in the air.
And. the line of people wraps around the building on this hot and sunny day. Great time to work on that farmer’s tan. The line is moving swiftly, like a well oiled machine.
Out. walks another satisfied citizen who received fantastic assistance from one of many pleasant associates. All the windows are open and available to provide the best service possible. There’s plenty of space available in the lobby since no one is staying seated long enough take up all the chairs.
Roughly. a hundred people were in line when I got there just before opening, but everyone shuffles along and files in to get their vehicle situation promptly resolved when the front doors open.
One. more errand knocked out and now I can get on with the rest of my day. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.
Hour. or hours of sitting around? It didn’t feel like an eternity since I brought some diversions to pass the time. Besides, the air conditioning was so refreshingly chilly. I was in no rush to go back outside for that 90 degree climate.