Lakewood License Bureau

Seems silly to be rating a license bureau, but this one is 5 stars. Today’s visit included a short, but fast moving line and very friendly customer service. My experience here 4 years ago was the same, so they are consistent! I’m so used to the license bureau where I grew up, where everyone was consistently rude. I dread going to the license bureau because of them. This place, however, is EXCELLENT!!!

Weird that this is called the Lakewood License Bureau as it isn’t in Lakewood, but is in CLE instead.
This place is located in a shopping plaza by Giant Eagle. You will not see it from Warren Road as it’s in the rear (in the rear! haha — I have the maturity level of a 10 year old boy) of the shopping plaza. Maybe that’s why it is always so gloriously empty.
They do NOT do title work here, and you cannot do your driver exam here either. I guess it’s not 5 stars because it doesn’t offer these services.
If you’re renewing your license or car tags, etc., this is the place for you.

Fastest I have EVER been in and out of a LB. Ladies were nice and made it less tedious than an anal bleaching. Plenty of parking and there is a bar a few door down to take the edge off…

When numerous people in line in front of you give this BMV verbal props for their ability to get people in and out – you know you’re in a good one!
Lets face it – no one likes going to these places. But, I asked around and heard this was the place to go if you live on the Near West Side to get your license renewed. And, well this old lady is turning the big 29 this year, so I had to get me a new one.
Everyone told me they were in and out in around 10 minutes here and that advice didn’t fail me. Ten. MAYBE twelve minutes and I was walking out with a new license, donning probably one of the worst photos of myself, ever. They offered to take another one, which was kind, but it’s a license photo – I don’t care.
There were at least four ladies working the counter, so at any time, four people were being helped. That’s how they make this place work like a well-​oiled machine. They don’t take credit cards, so make sure you bring cash or check. Also – do some research or even give them a call before you stop in. Why? There are certain things they don’t do here – like title work, etc. For renewing licenses and plates, you’re good to go here.
The ladies themselves were kind, but quick and efficient. They might laugh or smile at one or two of your comments, but no more than that – they’re trying to get you going so they can help the next person.

You know what — it’s really hard to believe I’m going to write this — but I actually had a non-​horseshit experience at this place a couple of weeks ago. I spoke to two employees both of whom were actually both personable and pleasant to deal with. In all my years of dealing with BMV/​DMV in multiple states, never have I spoken to two pleasant people total EVER much less on the same day.
Although it was a weekday, there were a decent number of people in line (as always) but they actually had more than 1 person working (at least 4 actually) so it moved quickly and I was in and out in less than 15 minutes — this is with the eye test, new license picture and everything.
Really not too bad for a BMV branch. Obviously it would be satanic to ever give any BMV 5 stars so I’m not going that far. But I would definitely recommend this location if you’re due for the dreaded trip to Ohio BMV.