Department of Motor Vehicles

This place is a joke. They need to hire people who want to help you. These people at this DMV are just rude and slow.

I first went to the AAA DMV desk but there was a problem so i had to go to the DMV without an appointment.
I waited 1.5 hours & possibly was 45 minutes from my turn but I to leave for work. The problem is understaffing (at least 2 windows were empty). The bigger problem is the women who are employees & well paid to be there do no work. It is their social hour. I watched & they stand 2 but usually 3 together 10 – 15 minutes before their break & another 10 – 15 minutes after their break. They talk & laugh.
Then one of them left early sick leaving 3 windows (in my visibility, probably more) unstaffed.
Later I tried to make an appointment. That process is awful. I got so far talking to a computer when suddenly it no longer understood me. I had to hag up & phone again. This time I go through endless loops. Somehow I was offered an appointment but I couldn’t accept it but the system confirmed it. Since I didn’t accept it, I wasn’t prepared to write the confirmation number. I tried to get the system to repeat the number (so I could cancel it) but I got lost in the system. I gave up & will go without an appointment later.

This place is terrible. Be prepared to wait for hours and hours. The people that work here have no sense of urgency and are happy to talk to each more than they are willing to help customers out. Buchanan of lazy, fat and good for nothings that work there. Go elsewhere if.you.want to save yourself a headache and the aggravation.

The DMV desk staff were very friendly and efficient the two times I have visited the El Cerrito DMV. Both times I had pre-​booked appointments online and was seen to quickly. I obtained completed the online theory test and obtained my permit a few weeks ago and was in and out of the center within 45 minutes. I recently took my practical test and my instructor was very proper and fair. My only (and major) complaint is that I had a 1:20pm slot for my driving test and didn’t start the practical examination until 4:00pm, so my advice is definitely show up early and don’t make any plans to close to your test time.

Came to the dmv today to see why I haven’t received my new car tags. Stood in line and awaited my turned at the window for almost 2 hours and that was considered expedited. Got to the window and showed Patrice or Patricia (large black woman at window #1) my confirmation of auto pay from the dmv website and the payment should have come out automatically. It’s not my fault your system decided to malfunction. All I wanted were the late fees waived and to get my 2016 tags. But I had to endure her sassy attitude as to «she doesn’t know why and how I signed up online because the system doesn’t offer that service» after I told her and showed her on my phone the dmv website. She refused to remove fees and I ended up paying almost $ 300!
This is why online services are making these jobs obsolete. What’s the point of waiting to speak to someone if the service is awful? Sorry Patrice or Patricia you were rude and unkind. Management please speak to her about improving her service

Fast (if you make an appt). Friendly (or at least patient) staff. The best DMV experience I’ve had (for a DMV).

Courteous, efficient, friendly help with what has become an intractable problem. (DMV’s database thinks I might have tried to sell my car, maybe, and so won’t mail me registration renewal notices. Without a code on that form, you can’t renew online either. You have to go in, in person, every year. Year after year.) The young man who helped me copied all the info and personally faxed it to Sacto to get the records changed. Fingers crossed. Grateful for the kind attention.

Wow!
Who manages this place?! 10 windows open for the last 15 minutes and 85 people waiting for their number to be called, no movement! Managers here need to crack the whip. Also DMV needs a major overhaul or privatization. It dosn’t work. Shameful if you’re part of this mess.
3^rd world countries DMV’s work more efficiently.

Yes, I’m really writing a review about DMV! Ever since I can remember, I’ve been coming here for different reasons and all of my experiences have been great including my driving test back when I was 16yo. I’m one of the rare people who never had a long wait or bad experience (knock on wood). I feel like the reason people are saying they’re rude is because they get straight to the point and try to keep the line moving especially having to deal with impatient people.
I always end up cheering them up or have full conversations all while getting sh*t done. Every picture I’ve taken turned out good. The most recent visit was when I renewed my license to change my last name and that was a breeze. The person who took my picture was sweet enough to show me how it looked and let me take another one just for good measures. Thumbs up to that sweet lady for the nice compliment she gave me!

Going to the DMV was boring. I was waiting in line with my sister to register my pimpmobile… We were close in line. We wanted to get donuts but the DMV lady said that it wouldn’t be necessary. So we went in hoping to be done… Unfortunately it didn’t. So much for my dads tax return but anyway we were there for an estimated two hours which was the equivalent of watching Guardians of the Galaxy. Unfortunately all the DMV displayed were food products which pissed me and my sister off. I wish they showed Guardians of the Galaxy and I wish Batista was there to Batista Bomb that liar.

Monday, May 4^th 2015 about 8:45 am.
Window #4. I am not one to make a scene, so I let it all out through Unilocal.Apparently they called my number as soon as I gor my clipboard and I did not realize it. Went to her literally 4 minutes later and explained. She was busy chatting with someone, and told me she had waited more than 6 minutes. I CALL BULL CRAP BECAUSE MY DANG TICKET HAS A TIME STAMP YOU IDIOT. AAAAAAND she didn’t make the effort to press the button a second time to call me. AAAAAAND my number was still on the screen. She gave a «whatever, not my problem» look at me. She was bored with me and cared more for her convo. At least she made it seem that way.

TLDR version: It opened at 9 on a Wednesday, and I was out by 9:15. I did not have an appointment.
Okay, if you prepare, you will survive.
I didn’t make an appointment because the only available ones were like 2 weeks out, so I decided to come early and take my chances.
Knowing it opened at 9 on Wednesdays, I showed up at 7:30 thinking I’d be the first person in line. I was number 17!
I did bring a fresh hot cup of coffee and a nicely toasted baguette with raspberry jam, wrapped up in foil. I also brought a book. I wore comfy shoes and made sure to go wee-​wee at home.
Outside the building before it opens, there is one line for non-​appts and a separate group of people milling around who have appointments. Don’t stress out and think they’re cutting in front of you; when the doors open, they will enter their own line.
All in all it wasn’t too bad. Seriously.

Poor service
Poor attitudes
Not helpful
Take their sweet ass time to get anything done .
Manager isn’t very helpful either, so don’t count on asking if you can talk to her .
If you don’t have an appointment just prepare yourself to be there for 3 – 4 hours waiting before you go up to see if they will even be helpful .
I don’t recommend this dmv at all unless this is the closest one to you.

This location has the longest lines and the longest waiting times, I have literally been timing the hours and I have been waiting for over 2 hours. This would never happen in San Francisco Daly City or San Mateo!!! Horrible service!

It’s the DMV — so they all kinda suck. But this one is less painful that the one in Oakland. Do yourself a favor — if you’re not in a rush, make an appt — you’ll still probably wait, but not as long.
I got here 30 mins before they opened (7:30) and there was a line of about 100ppl outside. Took 5 mins to do what I needed (change the title), but I had to wait 2.5 hrs to do it.
God I hate the DMV.

Some ol’ bat spaced and didn’t call for an appointment until two weeks before her birthday driver’s license expiration date. Appointments were over a month out. The kind and patient phone rep. recommended going in at 8:30 Wed. morning, the least busy day and time, and the office opens at 9:00 AM on Wednesdays. The line was two blocks long at 8:30ish. (Hint: wear layers and overdo cold protection. Wind and cold were brutal.) The security guard was pleasant and friendly, bilingual with Spanish. As opening time approached, an employee divided the lines creating one first-​time license seekers and gave each of them a prepared clipboard with their papers, officer interpreting as needed. Remarkably efficient!
Inside the line moved super-​fast. The clerk was friendly, smiling, thanked me for bringing the papers instructed to bring, though registration with vin # and license plate weren’t really needed, and thanked me again for that. She typed information into the computer while I fingerprinted my thumb, gave me a number, collected the fee, instructed that I could be called to either side next, and told me what exactly what would be happening. Chairs were available, everything was clean, and though the restroom, for women, inexplicably had one stall, it too was clean.
The photo was next. That clerk was unfriendly and preoccupied, a bit hostile, but who knows what she was dealing with?
Next was a clerk with a skeleton bandana on his head, some facial piercings and many skull tattoos who made me feel right at home as my daughter and many of her friends sport the same style and are loving and kind people. He too was very kind and gave very clear, detailed instructions for using the touch screen, even assuring me I had three tries today or could come back after studying more and would have a certificate to drive to insure ability to continue driving. Sweet! He called someone to get clarification of a question and clearly wasn’t socializing on the phone.
The touch screen is super-​easy to use, and as easy to read, an issue at my age. I missed a question and the correct answer flashed by too fast to read for this truly fast reader, my only complaint about anything there.
Again sweet skeleton guy gave detailed clear directions that the new license will arrive in the mail at my home address within 3 weeks and that the papers he provided would allow me to legally drive until then. The paper were very accurate. The time-​frame was less than an hour – this for drop-​in to take the written test, get photographed and fingerprinted, and pay the fee!
I am amazed that a state office functioned so smoothly and efficiently with such courteous and usually pleasant staff. Bravo El Cerrito! And thank you!

I’d complain to the office manager but fear that would be a waste of effort and fall on deaf ears. So I’ll complain here: El Cerrito DMV – went in WITH appointment 15 minutes early and WITH paperwork already filled out and, AFTER waiting in appointment line, asked by woman at reception desk: do you have an appointment? after handing her my paperwork asked: what is your last name? Hello. Look on the PAPERWORK so that I then don’t have to have you ask me: CAN YOU SPELL THAT? That’s the point of handing you the paperwork.
Waited in reception area after that for maybe 15 minutes even with appointment, not SO bad. Called to clerk #13 and handed ONE of my requested items after having my debit card charged. When I asked where was the second item as marked on my paperwork (that was oh so important to fill out) clerk #13 decided she would actually take a look at said paperwork.
After a sigh and roll of the eyes she said YOU SAID YOU NEEDED ITEM ONE (which I did); however, that doesn’t preclude I also needed item TWO, marked on paperwork. She does some other computer work and goes to back where she yacks with someone for a bit longer than necessary. Finally comes back and says «YOU NEEDED ITEM #2 MA’AM.» Really? Really clerk #13? The item was marked on the paperwork you failed to read and now you’re full of attitude.
Take a course on appropriate customer service (we pay your salary) and when you make a mistake simply apologize and get on with it.

Do yourself a favor and get an appointment! That’s the only way I do the DMV and I’m out of there in 5 minutes. The people I saw in line when I walked in are usually still in line when I walk out. The appointment is the only way to do business with DMV and I don’t understand why anyone would take their chances. There may be times when business has a deadline that won’t allow appointment making. But if you can stay on top of your business and plan a little ahead, you’ll be much happier in the long run.

It was time for me to finally get my California driver license after my move, and after hearing horror stories at DMVs in the city centers (Oakland, SF), I figured I would give the El Cerrito branch a shot.
I logged online at 11 PM one Wednesday, and got an appointment at 1:15 PM for the next day. Pretty awesome.
I arrived 30 minutes before my appointment, went to the (empty) appointment line, said I had an appointment at 1:15, was handed a ticket with my number. 3 seconds later, I was called to a window before I could even fill out the form! Within 40 minutes, the paperwork was processed, I took my photo, took my written test, and had my interim license.
Everyone I interacted with was cordial, even friendly. The woman at the counter was a genuine pleasure to interact with, just not all that speedy. I suppose the extraordinarily impatient could be annoyed, but to leave the DMV that quickly was quick by my standards.
Here are the recommendations for a smooth trip:
1) MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. There were people who didn’t even move while I was there.
2) Go onto the CA DMV website before you arrive. They list exactly what you need for anything you want to do. If you are prepared, things will go much better.
3) Don’t be an asshole to the folks working here!

If all you want to do is a standard procedure, like renewing an American drivers license, or creating an ID. This DMV is, like any other. Not the most pleasant, but not entirely terrible, especially if you make an appointment. I made my California ID, Drivers License, registered my car and so on here with no problem, albeit with shitty service.
This time though, I had an incredibly shitty experience.
My backstory: As an international student switching to an American work visa, I have had so much pain with paperwork and bureaucracy. I visited the El Cerrito DMV multiple times when my DL and ID expired but they repeatedly SCREWED UP.
1. With a non appointment I waited 90 minutes. If this had been due to the fact that the DMV was full of people being served, I would have been less pissed off. But despite there being a ton of people waiting in line, the servers wandered from desk to desk, chatting and hanging out with absolutely no interest in serving anyone.
2. When it finally got to my turn, the lady looked me up and down, and said wait, I’m going to take a coffee break. and had me standing there waiting for her for 10 minutes. WTF.
3. When she finally came back I handed her all the correct documents which included my work visa, which gave me legal rights to remain in the US until ⁰⁹⁄₂₀₁₅. Instead of looking at my visa she just looked confused and repeatedly shuffled through the papers.
4. Ten minutes of incompetence later which included her mistyping my address twice although I had written it on a piece of paper and given it to her in block letters,
she asked me for a print out of an I-​9 form. I was confused as that did not have anything to do with my visa standing. And I told her so. She insisted we needed it and refused to process my application otherwise. She told me to get out of line, and drive to a UPS place, find the I-​9 form print it out and drive back, which made me SO MAD BECAUSE I HAD ALREADY WAITED 90 MINUTES AND WTF THAT FORM WAS IRRELEVANT.
5. I returned with the form, and ONCE AGAIN HAD TO WAIT. WHEN I FINALLY GOT BACK TO HER, she looked at it and once again became confused, and TOLD ME I NEEDED TO RESIT FOR A DRIVING EXAM (WTF I HAD PASSED JUST 6 MONTHS PRIOR AND HAVE HAD A CLEAN RECORD SINCE)
6. This entire time, she was incorrect, and arguing with me in a condescending manner despite knowing absolutely nothing about her job and leading me in a wild goose chase all day.
7. At 4:45PM I was almost in tears, because she still didn’t know how to process my application, and she was like «It’s 4:45PM I’m leaving.» She points to another girl at the end of the room with a long line of people waiting for her and tells me, «XX will finish up for you.»
8. So I sit there and wait, and finally 30 minutes later, I take a photo and get out of there after spending over 5 hours at the DMV just trying to get my driver license renewed.
The best thing:
2 months later I DIDNT RECEIVE MY DL BECAUSE SHE WAS COMPLETELY INCOMPETENT AND ALSO CONDESCENDING AND REALLY DOUCHEY. If she had even bothered to check with her superiors, she would have realized that the original documents I had showed her were sufficient to make the renewal application had gone through. Instead, she ARGUED WITH ME AND made me run around town printing out an irrelevant document, and then made me wait 4 hours for NOTHING.
I had to go to the Oakland DMV 2 months later to be told my application never initially went through because she had done the entire process wrongly. Which was fine because the guy did what she couldnt do in 5 hours in 20 minutes.
TLDR El cerrito DMV is the worst and filled with rude and incompetent people who don’t care about helping you. I will never ever go back there again. There are so many better DMVs.