California Department of Motor Vehicles

Came to DMV to change my address on my DL. I made an appointment for 12:40 in the afternoon. It’s better to make an appointment than to just walk in. Appointments are much quicker and faster. I think I only spent a few minutes waiting before my number was called.
As I walked in, the line for walk ins were much longer than the appointment line. Crazy! I see a lot of unhappy people here. Impatient people is more the description for everyone here. I really feel for the employees who have to deal with people on a daily basis. The lady was nice helping me out when I got to the counter. She directed me on where to wait. When I was called, the lady entered my new address in her computer. I told her I would be back to take care of some other business.
I literally parked on the street since parking in the parking lot is full. Saves me time to park across the street. Overall experience was okay. I just wanted to get out of there as soon as I was done. Whew!

Absolutely TERRIBLE service. This review is for the African American lady working window 16 at 1:00pm on 06/​07/​2016. She was incredibly rude and ruined a lot of plans just because she felt like being a b****. We went in 30 minutes prior to my boyfriends behind the wheel appointment and waited in line while she helped the same gentleman. (she was talking to him about how he personally knew someone who worked there instead of helping him with DMV related issues, but that is besides the point.) Once we got to the front of the line our roommate forgot to throw his drink away so she snapped at him and tried to send us to the back of the line by calling up the person behind us and helping him first. Then after him, we gave her the AAA card and registration bill with the owners drivers license and she took a quick glance at it and said «what the heck is this? this isn’t what I need.» so when asked what’s wrong with it she said that we didn’t have the correct documents and when I asked what the correct documents look like, she proceeded to tell me what size paper the document is on and what it looks like if you get it from another state. I LIVE IN CALIFORNIA, obviously I asked what it looked like for California but she didn’t care, and called up the next person in line. So we left and called AAA… After speaking with them we headed to our local DMV (El Cajon) where they informed us that we in fact DID have all the correct documents and there is no reason why she shouldn’t have let him take the test. AAA says that they frequently get complaints about this EXACT situation and even described what the lady looked like because this isn’t the first OR LAST time this lady has done this. She just gets to pick and choose who she dismisses. All of this because we didn’t throw away our drink or because she wanted to be shitty? Now we have to wait a whole month and a half to reschedule another appointment. No wonder they have signs that say «threatening a state employee is illegal» posted right in front of her face. This lady deserves to be fired!

I live way closer to the Hillcrest DMV, but always end up here bc they give much quicker appointments. Never had to wait in line more than 10 min with an appointment, and always dealt with reasonable staff. While they do seem a bit overzealous in trying to find any possible issue with your paperwork, I chalk it up to just trying to do their jobs – everything has always gotten straightened out for me with a little friendly small talk and a pinch of polite insistence.
I had a particularly good experience a few days ago with the vehicle inspection staff as I registered an out of state vehicle. The lady who performed the inspection was really positive, quick and kind.
The overall environment is stressful, as at any DMV, and parking can be tight. But if you’re looking for an appointment within less than a week, this is not a bad choice.

This was my first time here to register a car under my name and i was so nervous and full of anxiety because im not good at doing paper work, and i noticed the line was going faster than it usually does without having an apointment. When i got closer to see why the line was going fast there was Daniel being the most efficient person answering questions and you could clearly see he knows what he is doing, i work in a fast paced environment and i hate seeing when workers are slow, DANIEL really made my dmv experience a great one ! Wish the dmv would have more people like him, great attitude, knowledgeable, and efficient.

Worst place ever I went there to get my license plates after taking my car for verification, I paid for all the fees in the first transaction, but when I turned in all my papers the stupid lady told that i need to pay 2 transfer again my husband ask her why! And the lady started screaming and threatening on sending my car to the chp the worst and slowest dmv

What do you expect, it’s the DMV. Make an appointment, make an appointment, make an appointment, make an appointment. Otherwise wait in non-​appointment line hell. I was there for a new resident drivers licenses. I hadn’t taken a DL test in forever so I was a bit apprehensive but laziness won out over caution and I didn’t study for the test. It wasn’t necessary. It was a 30 question (I think) multiple guess test with commonsense questions. Huge shout out to the receptionist who let me run home to get my passport and keep my appointment. Oh and take a shower before you come, some funky BO up in there.

Came just to get a copy of my driving record. Website said non appointments 1.26 wait time. My a$$! So while standing in line I made an appointment. So I left, came back about 15 mins later and the guys standing behind me were still outside.

I have been sitting here three hours while I’m watching attendants aimlessly walk around this make a no good sense the window screen doesn’t work so they are calling numbers at a whisper never again will I come to this one this is ridiculous

All I have to say is when ever you go to the dmv, make an appointment… I got there at 8am and there was a line, (there is a different line for appointments which was faster). It took me 2 ½ hrs just to renew my license and all I needed to do was take a picture.

Due to government cutbacks, this place (DMV), All locations suck. No parking, inconsiderate people, longer wait times, etc.

Came here today to to report my burned down suv is total loss, i forgot how busy this location can be, always schedule appointments because the wait to call your # is always long!

No real Complaints, long wait was all my fault as I didn’t make an appointment. Make an appointment. But it’s the DMV, so never fun.

Service would be much faster if they added more people at the front desk during peak times. The entrance needs to be widened to allow more room for people to come in and out. It only makes sense to have a business catering to its customers. This DMV has been here for decades and its far from organized. The government doesnt care. They figure if people want to drive they’ll deal with the long lines and lack of service. I seriously wish I can do something about this… Tyranny at its best!

I only gave this place a star cause I had too. Worst DMV I have been too. Line all the way around the building. Waited three hours once we got inside. Stunk. Rude ass lady who helped us. Not looking forward to having to come back again :/
This place makes me want to never drive my car. Better off riding my bike and walking my happy ass all over the place.

We made an Appt. & pretty fast but staff here seems unhappy & rude. Dmv staff need people & customer service skills.

#2 of 100 Unilocal Review 2016
Ah, the DMV… Three words, make an appointment. You just have to, otherwise you will have to wait quite a long time. I mean the line for non appointments are out of the door. Parking lot was decent, but I was needing to follow a couple of done customers to make a spot. Just like college parking all over again.
Line was quick for the appointment line, filled out forms, and then sat down to wait. Literally I spent up to 30 mins in this joint. Pretty fun to people watch here at the DMV. All walks of life are encountered here. From observing a fellow that looked like he was jonesing for a fix and the guy next to him having a heated and colorful argument on the phone with a woman in Spanish, I was surprised.
The DMV reps were somewhat pleasant at best but great at their craft in DMV forms. Working here in the DMV is a tough job in the realm of customer service. I can relate, especially on a rainy Monday afternoon.
Again, make an appointment.

I checked the DMV website to see the wait times for locations without an appointment. This location had the shortest one, so I cruised over. I had made an appointment online, but I didn’t want to wait another two weeks.
When I used to work in the South Bay, I came to this location. I remember it being a dismal place. It hasn’t changed. They have a large parking lot, but there was just one spot left when I arrived. Luckily I nabbed it. By the time I finished up here there was a big line out the door and people were circling the lot like jackals.
I didn’t have an appointment but I ended up not having to wait in line either. I was directed to the disabled/​appointment line. No waiting over there. I then received a number and although the website quoted 1 hour 20 min, mine was called just 15 minutes later. People who came in after me received numbers in a different group that was way later than mine. I guess I was DMV lucky.
The lady that helped me was ok. My experience with DMV is usually that the workers are not cheerful or friendly, just cordial if you’re lucky. They don’t seem too happy to be there, like most of us so I can’t blame them. Eventually I got my business taken care of and I went to another window to pick up what I needed so I could get the heck out of dodge. That place is a serious bummer. I hope I don’t need to return anytime soon!

place wasnt as bad as i thought. What made the experience good for me was I actually got to speak with a customer service rep that cared and actually wanted to help me get my registration taken care of.
I was grateful for the help and enjoyed her sarcasm.
Not bad for not having an appointment.

The wait for the non-​appointmment line when you first arrive goes out the door and you have to wait in the sun with nowhere to sit just to get inside. However, there was a worker going to everyone standing in line to ask what they were there for and to get them any forms to get the line moving quicker which helped a bit. After getting my number I sat down and it was busy but there was room for everyone to sit down and it was air conditioned. It wasnt too bad of a wait time. The lady who helped me process what i needed done was very friendly.

Even though we all hate the dmv, I just want to say to everyone…
make an appointment before you come here other wise you’ll be in line all day. I made an appointment ahead of time & took my driving behind the wheel test yesterday at 9:30 am and was out by 11:30. I had a good experience. Short wait times and staff was really nice. My driving instructor was really nice and made me feel comfortable during my test. Some days the staff are nice, other days not soo much.