Staff here are the worst. Cannot do their jobs correctly. I had an appointment to take a drivers test, when going to schedule my appointment they gave me such a hard time. The guy helping me told me i had to be 17 1/2 when i was then went ahead and did that. today i had my appointment and they said i wasn't able to take it since i wasn't 17 1/2 my 18th birthday is next month in october. Not only are they no help but clearly idiots. I tried to explain to him that i was 17 1/2 when applying for my test that i had today and all he kept saying was the same. even though a couple months ago he was the same one who told me everything would be fine when i came in today. Now my permit expires tomorrow and i have to retake my written test, all because of an idiot employee who can't help someone (which is his job to do just that). Don't go here the worst place to come and do anything for a dmv. read more

No line happy people nice and calm no fuss! Waited 15 min!!!! Soooo happy! . . . . Great Day at DMV read more

To be able to renew my driver's license, DMV required me to come in the office for a vision test and new pic. Ever since the DMV system went down, I have been making multiple appointments in different locations. Before coming to any of the appointments, I check the DMV website first to see if the outage has been fixed. Based on their 11 am Thursday update, Arleta is back to business so I headed over there for my 11:45 am appointment. When I got there, an employee stopped me by the door and we had this conversation: Her: You can't come in because system is down. Me: I checked the website for an update before coming here and it says that system is up. Her: I don't know what the website says and I have nothing to do with that website. All I can tell you is that the system was down and it went down again. Me (hoping she will just let me pay the renewal fee as an exception due to outage): I have been to different locations trying to renew my license but still no luck due to the system being down, what are my options? Her (in condescending tone): Well, Simi Valley is still up so you can try going there but I'm not sure if it will still be up by the time you get there. I decided to go home and try again on my next appointment. When I got home, I called the DMV hotline still hoping that someone will let me just pay the fee. After an hour wait, I told her about the trouble I had been through. That I had been to Glendale and then Arleta but system was down. She told me Arleta was up since 10 am. I told her that I was in the office 11:30 and was told it's down. She insisted it was up. I hang up. I felt I won't ever win my case with DMV so good luck to me. read more

They dint know any low not the workers not the managers one if them is terry she has obviously 0 knowledge about her work and she is rude she thinks she is a vice president read more

I go with all of my documents for my son's permit. The Spanish lady on the appointment side told me I needed proof of address with his passport and asked if I did my research???? She insisted my son needed proof of residency when he is a minor. Well in this list it did not list that. Please replace employees like this as I have wasted a day for her stupidity. read more

DMV - Arleta - Departments of Motor Vehicles Near Me - Pacoima, California

Horrible Service the moment we walked in. We had an appointment they gave us a window #, the number was on the screen but was never called. No communication from anyone, everything was a hurry, the only nice person was female employee at window 31, very patient. read more

Went online and put myself on a same day wait list. No appointment. Went in to change my name on my driver's license. I was in and out I. 35 minutes!! Very nice staff. read more

Another sheep in the governmental office herd; I headed to the Arleta/Pacoima branch of the DMV to deal with the often hated but necessarily procedure of signing a title and registering a newly obtained car into the state's vehicle database. I heard that although this branch has a long line, it moves faster than the Van Nuys office (which is where I obtained my CA driver's license when I first moved here). I must say, in terms of a DMV, I was actually impressed and hence the rating. I came prepared for war: meaning I brought a book and a water bottle for my much anticipated (sarcasm) DMV wait. As per usual at the Arleta branch, the line was all the way out the door and the packed parking lot encourages car accidents (irony?). However, although the looonngg line intimidates like a Gladiator on steroids; it actually moves VERY quickly. I was shocked to find that the line for people without appointments moves as fast as the Van Nuys line FOR appointments. Nice. I found the actual clerk to be quite pleasant and all smiles, making my experience quite calming. Again, this is opposed to the clerks at Van Nuys whom are somewhat cold and firm reminding you that they work for the government. I was in and out in about an hour but it actually felt quite fast. I would suggest to go to Arleta/Pacoima for registrations and Van Nuys for actual testing (they have a quiet room for the testing versus Arleta which is just cubicles in the loud room). Hopefully though, I don't have to back until this time next year. read more

Looked online and it said this place was open at, it wasn't the official DMV site so I can't be too mad that it didn't open till 9. The security guards were pretty rude about line formation and sat on their tookuses most of the time. The line was long when we got there and ridiculously long my 9. Once they opened it was pretty quick got my ticket stub B43, car registration at 9:14, and my brother got G11 at the same time, new license. I would would have been completely done by 9:30 the B's go quick, but my bro took a little longer and had to take a pic so it we got out by 9:45. The pricing was lame, I had to pay $320 this year, last year I paid $121, damn you California. My brother had to pay $25 for a new license. The parking here sucks, even though they have a big lot, its just a busy DMV. read more

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Strong advice: Make an appointment online! It'll be about a week out from when you make it, but it'll save you time in the long run. The non-appt. line at this DMV can get pretty crazy. The representative I worked with was very nice, unbelievably. Overall, the California Department of Motor SUCK @$$ beyond belief (it took ELEVEN WEEKS to get my renewed driver's license), but this office in particular is just okay. read more

DMV - Arleta - Departments of Motor Vehicles Near Me - Pacoima, California

If you want a bill of sale doc from Dmv which is on the desk all you have to do get it and get out They want you wait in the line and when you ask security girl who's lazy as hell she refused to go get it from the desk which is 7 feet away from the entrance. read more

We are all going through this awful Pandemic- but there is no- NO excuse for the rude, unprofessional staff.. Jobs are so scarce now- if you people are so damn miserable.. leave, find yourself a job that has nothing to do with dealing with the public. We all have those days where you can't deal with difficult people- but what I observed was beyond disturbing. Applied for my sons first CA ID and the two people sitting behind the desk miserable and unprofessional refused to help me. It took a beautiful kind soul also who worked there to assist me.. she saw the mistreatment and walked over to me to help me out.. wish I knew her name- thank you young lady for your kindness and customer service. All the other ones need to find a different career path- so sad and pathetic. Avoid this DMV at all costs read more

I just wanna say Martha in window 20 was amazing, Excellent customer service. I renewed my commercial license, Very helpful , I upgraded to REAL ID . She made sure everything will stay the same on my license. Management team rocks too read more

I cant speak for the other DMV locations but this one really has their stuff together as far as a state agency can. I came here to get my registration and tags. I arrived there about noon, got my temperature checked and then stood in line for about an hour, when I got to the front of the line I was given an paper with some numbers and gave them my phone #. They then put me in a virtual line, but I could see where I was and figure how much time I had before they would call me in. The good thing about this is you can sit and wait in your car instead of sitting in a cramped DMV office. Enjoy music and sip coffee from the comfort of your own vehicle or a friends. I waited in a virtual line for about 25 minutes before being called. I got my items and was out. I found the staff to be very professional and very courteous. This is truly a step in the right direction. KUDOS to DMV read more

Yes, yes, I know I should have made and appt. I know. But I didn't--- and I had to wait two hours and 15mins in the sweltering heat just to get in. When I did reach the front desk the operator asked me, " why dont I know my DL #" I told him I didn't have it memorized... he said, " wanna know a tip on how to always remember it" I said sure with a smile.... he said in the most smug nasty tone he could fester up "make a copy...NEXT" This Muthaf@#$**&^ That was so uncalled for....... just do your effing job...... read more

No stars if you possible rude people at the front counter entrance and at some of the Windows. This place doesn't change over the years. One reason why ppl don't like to ask for help. Front counter lady gave us the slip of what letter/ and number to wait for and literally walked 5 steps away when I noticed there was no number went back to her and she told me to get back in line and wouldn't help till it was my turn. I told her I was literally talking with you 2 seconds ago you gave me this slip with no number! Ignored me and called the next person. This is a public service they signed up for it, if they don't like it find a different job! read more

The best employees, if you don't believe me just drive by, lines are always long, because people rather wait and get great customer service. Then go somewhere else. read more

DMV - Arleta - Help us support "March of Dimes " Thursday 3/24/16 From 4pm to 7pm - Departments of Motor Vehicles Near Me - Pacoima, California

The DMV is believe or not quite easy to get in and out if you PREPARE AND PLAN AHEAD OF TIME. Usually people reserve that day off because who knows how long you will be there if you don't make an appointment or forget any paper work. I just needed to renew my plates and recover a lost ID. Small quick story: my best friend help me reserve same day appointment and as soon as I got there I was IN AND OUT IN 30 MINS. I saw a WAIT at least two hours. One thing a fellow yelper said as a fees tip. Be professional and courtesy to them and they will be pro and courtesy to you. - jraska j read more

I love arleta dmv! They helped me pass my driving test and everyone there was so nice. I got a female examiner while glasses and curly blonde hair but I believe she was Hispanic, she was super sweet and calm. Never got to simi valley! The wait was a little long at arleta but I wasn't in a rush and I went at 9 am on a thursday :) read more

Big DMV office, but I drive by it and went into the shopping center next to it and turned around to find the place. It has a huge parking lot compared to most, but it was packed before 9am today. Found a spot on a side street not too far down. Poor people... always having cars parked down their streets. For this, I'll take off one star. Second, there's a long line outside for the no appointment people... maybe 50 people deep. It goes into the office with a roped off area. I walked in and saw the appointment only sign, but didn't know where to stand. I asked someone and he was in the front of the line, and said the lines back there. He pointed at a line of about 20 people! But someone else showed me the end of the appointment line.. only 5 deep inside the "U" shaped waiting area. Then a security guard came over and asked when my appointment was. Where was he when I walked in? For this, another star off. The lady at the counter who helped me was nice and helpful. She did walk away for a long time to make copies of my documents. I went to have my picture taken, and you could tell that this older guy didn't enjoy his job. read more

This is a horrible dmv I had a terrible experience. AVOID THIS DMV IF YOU CAN! At first everything was ok I went in it was extremely busy which is expected. And the service staff were a little rude but it was understandable because they were very busy and stressed. I came for a drivers test at 11:40 pm and even got there early. I waited in line with my car to the drivers test for about and hour and a half. Which is ridiculous, they need to accept less tests or have more driving instructors it was really bad. My mom also had to go to work, and it was taking way longer than we anticipated. And then when I finally arrive to the front of the line to start my drivers test. The lady already begins talking to me rude. I didn't have a mask because no one was wearing a mask inside and it didn't look like it was required. Then she rudely says "where is your mask" and I said "oh I need one?" And then she said yes you do!. So instead of trying to find a mask or help me she starts to cancel my appointment and tell me to make another after I waited for 2 hours! Like what. Horrible driver instructor. Needs to be fired. Luckily I found one but it turned out my windshield had a crack so I couldn't complete the test. read more

Couldn't help but to think it was a joke but I got there at exactly 2:27pm and being in line for 10 mins, one of the workers came out and told everyone they had issued out the last ticket for the day. I kindly asked what time they close and she said 5. I really don't know if it was a gag to get everyone to leave but so many people walked away. I stood my ground anyway just to further humor myself. After an hour of waiting in line I finally got to the desk where a woman rudely asked me "What you want?" I said "I have a new vehicle from out of state and would like to have it registered in California." I don't know why she was so quick and snappy but her snappiness must've shot out her ignorance because she immediately told me I cannot have my vehicle REGISTERED because I don't have my title. Wait?! What?!!! So you're telling me people don't have payments through dealerships who hold the cars title until you're finished paying for it? What?! So I said "No no no wait, you must not understand what I'm asking for..." I had explained to her that I am making payments through a dealership to own the car and it's from Florida and I want to drive the Florida Car legally one California! :D notice my smile. She asked "Well do you have a registration?" I said yes, two but I only wanted to get an estimate of how much it would be... "WELL WE CANT LOOK IT UP UNLESS YOU HAVE THE PAPERS!" At this point I was already willing to go so I told her I'll be back on a day where I have time. Thank you read more

This dmv sucks they have people waiting outside the gate you cant even park inside... Don't come here the staff are slow and HATE THERE JOB read more

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I was very surprised at how fast their service lines go and how friendly the staff was. I will go back to the DMV in Arleta. Very good experience. I recommend it. There were very few in line and enough staff to help out. read more

Teresa window 9 has to be the worst customer service with her smart ass attitude. I came in smiling her with a straight face received me in a very rude manner. I gave her the slip and she said what do you need done. I said the written test and I asked her what she needed from me. She played so dumb and said what did the application say when you filled it online and I said I'm not sure do you need the confirmation number and she said no what else did it say. I said I'm not sure but I have documentation and proof of residency. She stared at me and said "okay that's what I need" I was literally stunned I laughed and told her you couldn't just tell me that when I asked you? She just got my things and stared at the computer. A supervisor who sees this please educate your employees on how to have good customer service there others here who live up to that. Teresa lacks that very much with her tough attitude. read more

It took me 3 hours with no appointment(walk-in) which is ok for me during this pandemic COVID-19 i guess? I went there on Friday 10, July. I used to go to another one which is closed already. That one took like 4 hours. read more

Wow. Everyone hates the DMV but Arleta really did not fit the stereotype of rude technicians and crappy service. They were so kind and helpful even though a statewide systems failure came and shut the place down for over an hour. They really had a great system to accommodate all of us roasting in the heatwave by sending us texts to return and not lose it places in line. Great organization!!!! I must say that the woman at Station 28 on August 14, 2020 deserves a huge kudos too as she even told me that she wants me to have a great experience and lived up to it. I was so impressed with her and I hope that someone sees this and gives her a huge reward! read more

Probably the easiest experience I've had at the DMV. Made an appointment, friendly staff ushered me through, and was out in 20 minutes flat.

We have an appointment @9am we came and fall in line for a driving test. We arrived @8:50 am and of course line outside is a long one. When our turn to go in, the guard said proceed inside for the appointment driving test section. We did and also a long line. When our turn to be processed the DMV lady said why we came late as it was @9:23 am. I told her we came and fall in line outside and also inside. The very inconsiderate DMV personnel said we have to come back because we came late and they are busy that day. What is the use of having an appointment when you will be kick out as you didn't able to come to the counter on time. I hope DMV Arleta do a personal training to there employees. I am very very disappointed on what happened. Who can we complain for this kind of situation. There should be an oversight committee who is not biased to there personnel. I will never ever go to this place again even it's a 10 mins drive from my place. read more

Needed my DL renewed ASAP. I decided to do the early morning. After reading reviews, I prepared to get there at 7:20, but actually got there about 7:30. The line was at least 20 ppl in by that time. Stood in line, as others mentioned the security does a great job at keeping it organized. I filled out a form, while waiting to get checked in. Be sure the fill up front and back. Got called right away, but clearly didn't pay attention very well. I had a moment while watching the screen.( I was thinking to myself that I only had 1 letter and 2 numbers) but the screen shows 1 letter and 4 numbers. The first 3 is your ticket number, the last 2 is the window. Got to the window and the girl was so nice, then I had to take a new picture and the photographer was nice... the experience was less painful that I anticipated. I was out by 8:48 ( if I payed attention, I probably would have got out sooner) read more

Probably the worst dmv in the state of California not gonna lie. So unprofessional and unorganized

Went to take my driver's test and the examiner I got, Maria (lady w red hair) was super rude. She told me to take a right turn rather late, so I assumed she meant at the next signal. When I passed the corner she wanted me to turn she yells "Are you kidding me?! you're just making your test longer!" Um, correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't driving examiners prohibited from yelling/expressing anger at the test-takers? Especially if their instructions were late or unclear? She was rude even before the test started, but her demeanor during the test really set it over the top. read more

I started the journey at the dmv a young 21 year old just trying to renew his license. I'm still here watching my life go by while every number is being called except mine. I am now 34 years of age almost got I hanged and married while waiting, hopefully I'll get my numbered called up before I am a senior.... I wonder if the forms needed will change and I will have to make another appointment. Living my life in the twilight zone where there is no such thing as time. Good luck if you're here , if you can read this before you come please go else where read more

I went on October 25th 2023 to take a driving test at this DMV. Wait time was pretty long since there were many cars but possibly not many instructors which is fine. When it was finally my turn, the examiner with red hair and long fake nails came to the car to greet me. Since that moment, her demeanor was horrible, she was scary and it made me very nervous. After the pre drive checklist, the test started and I could hear my heart beating, which was definitely because of the demeanor she had and being nervous in general. Right when we got onto the street, the examiner opened the passenger window and put her hand right in front of the right mirror, completely blocking my view of that side. (The fake nails made it way worse.) I didn't want to ask her because I read reviews about her yelling at test takers and didn't want to same thing to happen to me since it would mess me up a lot. After going down a few blocks, when checking my right mirror, I noticed that she was "sneakily" using her phone. It's funny because she was attempting to use her big clipboard to block the phone but I could still see it clearly. Anyways, I ended up failing my test because of a critical error on an unprotected left turn from a residential to a main street since I was nervous. It was almost the end of the test and I only had 3 mistakes. If she came to the car with a better attitude and wasn't as scary, I definitely wouldn't have failed. Also, my instructor who took me to the test (Coastline Academy, would highly recommend Patrick D) went up to her to talk about a mistake I made and he also noticed her horrible attitude and told me he definitely shouldn't have asked her. Please fire this examiner it looks like she's been torturing test takers for 6 years plus. read more

Bad place with bad testers. Don't come here. This place is not worth your time. Just not worth it.

This is the worst DMV in the WORLD. The security officer are rude and they are under staff all the time, this will he my last time here I will travel as far as 1 hour to get better service. read more

Don't remember her name but a lady with red hair who was doing a behind the wheel drivers test was making someone feel bad about themselves, insulting them during the test, and on top of that didn't give back their permit after the test was over. These workers should NOT be making people feel like this. read more

They close early every day at 4:40 they should change they time to 8am to 4:40pm cause they will not accept people at 4:41pm a government facility shame shame read more

i mean it's a dmv so it's not absolutely amazing or anything, but in my experience it's pretty good. i went for my road test last friday and passed first try! had some guy as my examiner and he knew i was nervous so he helped calm my nerves and really just wanted me to pass. i have other friends that need to do their road test and i would recommend this one for sure! i went in at 9:15 for a 10 am appointment and left with my license around 10:30 so definitely go earlier rather than later! good luck! read more

Don't ever lose your driver's licence, and ALWAYS, if possible, make an appointment.....you will spend the entire day here otherwise! read more

DMV - Arleta - The worst, most confusing, under staffed state branch EVER!!! - Departments of Motor Vehicles Near Me - Pacoima, California