Department of Motor Vehicles

The customer service at this location can use some improvement, but the service is very speedy.

Come before 7:30am and Ive always been done by 9. Considering we have to take time off work for this, time IS money and this particular DMV had always saved me money in this aspect. 3 times now and each time im out by or before 9am.

No one ever screams «I love going to the DMV.» It’s more like 3 to 4 hour long lines and waits. I experienced poor follow up and communication with DMV staff.
Personal complaint to the two DMV workers who helped me on the Wednesday morning of April 15, 2016(4/15/16). B2 and the Photo taker. (old lady who did not let me take a look at my photo I took). Driver License renewal was supposed to go smoothly as I updated my weight/​height and photo. However, after waiting 2 months after my license expired, I came back asking where was my card (6÷16÷16). After coming back, a current employee explained that the previous photo did not go through and I had to take another. Came back to her after I finished and now she says I have to take a written test. No where on my renewal form did it state I had to take a written test. The DMV was closing for the day and now I have t come back and wait again… So inconvenient.
No where on the renewal form did it state that I had to take a written test.

Five minute wait! So simple and easy wow! I thought was gonna be at least three at most four hours. Super friendly and fast!

They got better in and out in 45 min!!! The long lines goes by quickly and I think they rearrange it based on the customer needs so it can speed up the process

In and out for two issues in less than an hour! All friendly faces too! No appointment made, just walked in for both auto registration renewal and license renewal (no test needed, eye exam only). Waited in initial line for 5 min. Sent to wait for number to be called– waited 30 min. Took care of license reg first. Sent to wait for new number to be called for auto reg– waited 5 min. Took care of that. Went to take photo, no line for that, snapped and done, 50 min! Yay for DMV!
Tips– be sure to have all your paperwork with you, and all matters settled, i.e. smog check, insurance, renewal notices, etc. And, they take cash, check book or debit cards only.

Consistently quick and painless DMV experiences here.
I’ve come here to renew my license, take updated photos, etc. and each time, without an appointment, I’ve been in and out in less than an hour. The staff has always been friendly and courteous. I typically try to go during non-​peak hours and off days, such as 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. on a tuesday or wednesday so that might be the difference between my experience and the others who complain of long waits, but this is definitely my go-​to DMV.

Normally don’t wanna write bad review unless I had extremely bad experience. Can u just plz find a person who really speak English and be patient at front desk!!! Everyone is busy ! Nobody will drive at least half and hour here and receive no answer and bad attitude!

This is a hidden gem as far as it goes for DMV offices.
Staff is pleasant and professional.
Every-​time I have gone without an appt, I have waited only 30 mins max.
When i used an appt, I walked down the red carpet!
If you can use this location.
³⁶⁄₂₀₁₆

Normally I don’t write reviews unless my experience was extremely good or bad. Unfortunately, this review isn’t going to be good
I’ve been to multiple DMVs in the past and this is the worst one by far. So what happened? I was coming in to fill out some paper work and I forgot to sign what part of the paper. Yes, it was my bad. Now what the lady didn’t have to do was lecture me and eye roll as if she were a bratty teenager.
I thought to myself that it’s probably just one bad apple. The rest can’t be this bad, right? Of course I’m proven wrong again, when I come back to take a driving test. Right off the bat, the women is very cold. When meeting someone new, I always greet them with a Hi or Hello. Of course her being colder than cold, doesn’t reply or wave a gesture. Okay? During the course of the test, I made a couple MINOR mistakes such as going 34 in a 40 but of course this woman has to YELL (emphasis on yell) for this. I take constructive criticism well when it’s actually constructive, not an attack.
Could she be having a bad day? Perhaps. Maybe she’s having trouble at home? Maybe. Let’s set one thing straight. When you leave your home, you should leave your problems behind you.
Other than that, go to the DMV in Stanton if time permits you. It’s more efficient and friendly than the one here. FYI Stanton covers everything other than drive test. So getting your license renewed here should be a better experience.
Overall, don’t go here. The one on Stanton is 10x better.

It’s sooo packed!!! If you don’t make an appointment make sure you come really early. The lines are out the doors and it’s only 11am. Seems to be going pretty fast though depending on what you’re doing.

I had to go into a DMV for my 5 year drivers license update, new eye test, fingerprinting and photo. I also updated my address.
I read Unilocal reviews with a bit of skepticism. Knowing they have improved but many DMVs but many still have serious issues. I tried to make an appointment online but the earliest appointment was 3 weeks out. Too late to meet my deadline.
I went to this location on the first Monday of the month at about 10am. The parking was completely ridiculous, dangerous overwhelmed even. I ended up parking on the street. The line was outside the door. The appointment line (red carpet) was completely empty the entire time I was in the really long non-​appointment line. After a surprisingly quick 15 minute line wait, I got my number. Go G098! The wait after that was about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Brittani was charming, knowledgable and very efficient.
Once I was called it took a total of about 10 minutes which included going immediately to get the photo at another window. The whole effort was relatively painless as far as California DMVs go except the parking of course. so total of 1 hour 30 minutes including the 10 minutes trying to park. Amazing?
Would’ve scored this DMV a «5» if the wait was a little shorter, the non existent appointment line was reflected online when I tried to make an appointment, the parking lot wasn’t the most dangerous place to drive, comparable to a Walmart parking at christmas but smaller, and if the bathroom was not as nasty as an Exxon Mobil or old iHop.
Yeah, still rated it a 4 after all that. Why? I think this DMV scored high because all people eventually «must» go here, and we have such low expectations that if we are done within a couple hours we feel like lotto winners. I don’t blame the DMV for most of the issues anymore. The people seem to know what is going on now. That is what I rated for the most part but I had to take away for the alternate reality of the DMV facility. The facility is a mess because our politics ensures we do not fund these agencies well enough. So allowing some play for the facility and funding issues is only fair. Works for me anyway. I bet my photos sucks though. Ha!

My wife had her CDL with an expiration date that was based on her Conditional Green Card. Three days before her CDL expiration date, she and our 1 year old baby girl went to the Westminster DMV to submit for a CDL renewal based upon a receipt of the USCIS Notice of Action (I-​797 Approved Petition) with the approval of extension of stay. Upon arrival my wife was helped by a Westminster DMV Vietnamese woman at the information line and they discussed the CDL renewal in Vietnamese. The Westminster DMV Vietnamese woman told my wife after seeing her USCIS document that it meant nothing to the DMV. My wife said that according to the DMV’s online posting regarding to «Birth date verification and legal requirements» that the USCIS document was acceptable and also that she needed to be able to drive to take our other daughter (8 years old) to and from school and as well herself driving to work. The Westminster DMV Vietnamese woman told her that she would need to take the bus or hire a car instead (true story!). My wife was shocked, frustrated, disappointed and felt that she had been subjected to a same-​race discrimination. The Westminster DMV Vietnamese woman did not give her a CDL renewal form or one of those DMV numbers to proceed on in the waiting line so my wife had to go home. We discussed the unfortunate event at home and I was trying to find a best date to take off from work to get this done with my wife and hopefully at a different DMV. But the bad news was my mom died the very next day in her hospital bed after a surgery (true story!) so this CDL renewal process had to be put on hold for a month. My wife’s CDL was expired and my driving duty took a heavy toll on me (e.g., kid’s school, groceries shopping, work, church and funeral, etc.). We finally was able to go the Stanton DMV and got this taken care without any problem.
My reason for this review isn’t to report the Vietnamese woman at the Westminster DMV but hopefully to help others who may find this information helpful.
Please look for the «Birth date verification and legal requirements» section on this DMV CA webpage:

This place is the Best place for the anxiety ridden. I went in and left with a huge smile. I had to renew my license. I was in and out in 30 minutes max. The girl who actually renewed my license was very nice. Everyone else was pleasant, Not that friendly but who cares I was done quick, that’s all I wanted. I will never ever go to another DMV ever again!!!

Okay, Who knew I would be doing a review on the DMV and a DMV in Westminster… not me, but it is me doing the review. More then a handful of times, have I gone to the DMV in Costa Mesa, or Laguna, and let me tell you, there is not much difference between the two: long long lines, no personality, more waiting then one would like, nothing special just a long boring day.
However, I had to pay a ticket at the Westminster court house, and then head off to the DMV, googling the closest DMV, it showed «DMV, on Hoover»… so here I go, heading over to the DMV on Hoover. Can I just tell you, I have NEVER (let me repeat that NEVER) been to a DMV with such friendly staff, and short lines. Over and above the employees truly loving their jobs as I looked around. I couldn’t believe this was the DMV, honestly I was shocked! The place was also decorated in Halloween stuff, which gave a personal touch with friendliness. Everyone I know dreads the DMV, however this is the only DMV I will go to now, even being it’s out of the way, clearly the management is doing something right at this place, that other DMV’s should take note of!
Kudos to you at the DMV on Hoover and the, management team there!!!

One thing that I fear more than a physical, is the lovely DMV. The procrastinator that I am I waited last minute to get my CDL renewed on not just any day… but on my bday ha! Scheduled an apt several weeks ago online, got a date and was not looking forward to it. Appt time was for 3pm, I got there closer to 215pm and decided to check in, expecting not to be called upon until closer to 3pm (my appt time). I took me about 3 minutes or so to find parking which made me apprehensive of this place… then when I walked in… there was no line… a bit of a twilight zone/​scratch your head moment… As I checked in at the front I was getting ready for the attitude that was soon to be thrown my way from the DMV rep… but unbeknownst to me she was actually very cheery and helpful… now I am really getting mind f’d right??? Nordstrom service at the DMV… could it be possible??? Well not quite, but damn really??? My number was called within 5 – 10 minutes, and I almost jumped over the counter to give the DMV rep a hug! Happy Birthday to me! Nice surprise at the DMV, there’s a first for everything I suppose.

I love this DMV. I’ve been here at least 3 times and on all 3 occasions, I was in and out of here pretty fast. Typically, my number would be called within 5 – 15 mins. Not bad for a DMV! The staff are helpful and nice. Everything I needed to get done all got done. Everyone hates going to the DMV and dreads the long lines and long hours of waiting, so any part of that experience that can be minimized is great!
TIP: I usually go later in the afternoon when the crowd is less… sometimes, there’s no one even in line!

This REALLY IS A SLOW location!!!
So my drivers appointment was at 1pm and it is now 2:00pm. They have JUST checked me in. I had no choice other than this location as my permit expires next week.
I am highly disappointed as the clerk is barely calling 12:30pm appointments.
It is very unprofessional that they are so unorganized with their appointments.
This location makes you wait a long time to even get checked in.
Finally around 2:30 I took my test. They have you drive through two different lanes and wait until an instructor is available.
The instructor was strict but kind of friendly. I took my test and even though I was nervous, I passed! Yay!
The waiting area is smaller than most DMV locations. Bathrooms and water fountains are available so I guess that’s a perk so far.
The clerks understand that everyone wants to get in and out so it was nice that they took it into consideration of staying patient.
I was just really happy to get out of there and receive my license!
I would suggest arriving early or scheduling an appointment early to get out earlier.

*DMV* WESTMINSTER LOCATION
Okay, it’s the DMV. I never thought I’d be reviewing the DMV on Unilocal ever but here I am! Writing a review! Why? I don’t know. Why the heck not. I lost my DL like most people here lol and so I was afraid of the lines and packs of humans. Everyone was telling me schedule an appointment but I am not sure you’re allowed to drive without having a license physically in your wallet? I’ve checked many locations for appointments but the closest available was at LEAST a month and I NEED my D.L. like today, not a month from now. Plus, I lost my wallet too and I can’t get a debit card instantly in the bank without I.D. I guess I could have it sent to my house but that would take at least a week. I was in a serious dilemma. I was also afraid I need I.D. at the DMV because I read that some people said they needed their SSN card with them and I could not find mines. Who still uses that anymore? I can’t remember the last time I needed to show my SSN to anyone. Well I came across Maila’s review here and I noticed she had just got a DL replacement so I asked her if they asked her for any identification and she said they have your photo in the system so they don’t need any I.D. OK wonderful!
I drove here at about 130pm in the afternoon on a Friday with my phone charged up and a bottle water and my homework. I was afraid I wouldn’t find parking but luckily I got one right away. The line was out the door but it moved quickly. I filled out a form, got a ticket, sat for 2 hours and my name was called. So if you have a month to wait, MAKE AN APPT! Then you don’t have to wait as long as I did. The time moved pretty quickly, it didn’t feel like 2 hours but I was talking to this lady next to me and she was telling me about how she came here when she was really young to get her license and blah blah blah. She had to come back that day because she paid her fees online but for some reason, the system didn’t take it or it said she did not pay. I hope they got that cleared up. For some reason, the systems are always down. They need to find a better solution to keep their systems working. I’m just glad everything went smoothly when I was there and I got to keep my same photo! Hooray for me! $ 27 for duplicate license
1. Make an apt in advance. Check other locations.
2. Charge your phone before you get here.
3. Bring a bottle water and a sandwich.
4. Pay your fees ONLINE whenever you can.
NOTE: You’re only allowed ONE license. Having more than one is illegal. If you lose your license, get a new one, but still have your old one, the old one is invalid. It has a strip in the back of the license that will say that your license was reported lost/​stolen so don’t even think of using that old license or lending it to anyone. Or risk getting it confiscated and getting into trouble. I’m going back to get my I.D. and keeping that in my wallet and keeping my D.L. in my car. Just easier that way.
Thanks for reading!
~*Kenzie*~

waiting and waiting
B17? G20?
oh when will it end?
Like all DMVs the wait is awful here, so make an appointment. I arrived at 7:30 AM with maybe 130 people in front of me to revive a suspended license. I got the number G24 and I wasn’t seen until 8:50 AM. I didn’t have a document I needed, so needed to get back in line to get a new number, then leave to print the document, and then come back. I got back in line at 9:00 AM, got a number at 9:40 AM (G100) and wasn’t seen until 1:00 PM
The woman at the counter who gave numbers was CONVINCED that I wasn’t in the right place to get my license reinstated, which was absolutely ridiculous. Thankfully, after a great deal of perseverance, she gave in and gave me a number anyways. The people at the actual counters were super helpful tho’, and took care of everything quickly. It’s just too many people at this location…