Hm....what am I rating here? To the service and the staff, I give 4 stars. To the wait time and line, I give...(pause....a long awkward silence..... and some crickets later....).....none....nada.....null....nothing. Regardless of the pleasant experience and the pleasant people, please heed my advice and MAKE an APPOINTMENT. lol. Why an appointment? Perhaps it's due to the very unpleasant LONG LINE. Originally I came to the Van Nuys DMV for my CA driver license; yet after several hours and many conversations later last week, I walked away with a small slip of paper or "pass" to forgo the line and permission to take the test, not that day, but ..."tomorrow." Accompanied by that pass was an interesting, unique and memorable experience haha. That day I didn't get my license but I did gain....an "experience." The DMV staff was very accommodating, kind AND actually made me smile and laugh. However, it was in that long line where I met very interesting people with interesting stories all contributing to my life "experience." lol. So, unless you truly want to spend an afternoon amongst the people, the culture and the community that frequent the Van Nuys DMV, please call 1-800-777-0133 Now. :) Although it made for a good laugh and a great story, I highly recommend the appointment. read more

The DMV is hell on earth, so to make it easier, set up an appointment online, it will save your sanity. Make sure you have all your documents ready, you wouldn't believe how many show up and have to be turned away because they weren't prepared. The staff there was really friendly and I got out of there in less than an hour. read more

The DMV was packed to the gills when I came here. The wait for service to register my vehicle took longer than 5 hours. This is out of control. read more

Blah!! This is what they base bad DMV experiences on when they write scripts!

If your local DMV is Van Nuys...RUN to Arletas DMV. You'll be in & out in less than an hour w/ no appointment!

Very Bad and unorganized all mess parking was full no street parking inside waiting room small I had appointment at 9 clock and was 9:45 they still make me to fill the forms and keep asking me where is your confirmation? and the employees special the information desk next to the main door bad attitude not a friendly at all if I am in charge of that DMV I will fired them and replaced them with more friendly people .I use to go to Glendale DMV is a perfect DMV on time if you have a appointment you will finish on time you can fill your forms while you are waiting for your number . read more

Brought my dad in to renew his license and couldn't believe how rude the securities are. They have no customer service skills whatsoever. I understand that they're busy but that's no excuse for them to have an attitude simply because you're asking them a question. I wanted to tell them off but I have more sense than them. Take a chill pill people. read more

Make an appointment online and your process will be painless! There are usually appointments available within that week, unlike other DMV offices. I renewed my permit and filled out the application for my ID today, it was very quick! The restroom had a vomit smell and there was a woman changing her baby on the floor, but other than that, great experience :) read more

No DMV is ever perfect. Far from it, but this one is known for the shortest lines and while I can't ever avoid the DMV when I do need to go; this is the DMV I look to read more

Slow ass service only 2 people working the desk. Will never come here again. Worst dmv in California

Make an appointment. Saves lots of time! Very friendly staff!

I fell that like any sane person, I despise the dmv. But I'm gonna be fair here. They are not terrible at their job, they're just disorganized in the way they take in people. That is truly the only reason I hate the dmv, it just takes a lot of my time. I've been in a couple of times out of necessity and I have to say, they are very helpful. When I got my first car they were more then understanding and helped me figure out what I had to do and fill out to have my car ready to take on the road. Same thing when I had to pick up my moms tags, they were more then happy t explain to me what I had to do and what I can do next time so I won't have to go through the line again. I feel if they manage their time better they will be an exceptional dmv. read more

Still waited 40 minutes with an appointment; the small parking lot took forever to find a space so better come with someone who can park while you get in line. Staffs were professional so no complaints other than parking. read more

Some people here are just plain rude sometimes...other DMV's are better!

i tried making an appt, but the dates given were so far apart that I decided to just walk in. As expected, the lines were extremely long. I came here to renew my id. I waited forever outside, then i waited some more inside to get my number called, and then had to make another line to get my picture taken. the whole ordeal took close to three hours. It was very annoying, but glad it was my day off. By the time i left the dmv, it was about 1pm and the long line just to get inside the dmv was pretty much gone. so maybe, just maybe, it is better if you go after noon. read more

if I could give zero stars I would. I went through the call back process which took around an hour and a half. when I did get the call back the guy was EXTREMELY RUDE and HUNG UP on me!!!!! all I was asking for was for when my DL would come and to change the address on the card and he said he won't do that and obviously it wasn't my DL. if I could I would of slapped this guy through the phone. I've never been more pissed. I hate this DMV. read more

I came to take my permit test and of course I had made a appointment. The employees are very nice and helpful. I was there for at least 30 min read more

Well what can I say about the DMV, not a great place to visit. My only advice is get an appointment. Things will go much faster. And the people are friendly too. Parking really sucks at this DMV. So good luck! read more

If you can go to any other DMV, you must. Do not waste your time here. I made an appointment to get a drivers license (I am from out of state) and to register my vehicle. I have already been here for an hour and a half and nothing has been accomplished. I did all the paperwork that was asked, then was told to get my VIN verified around the back of the building. I am the only car in the verification line. There was one in front of me, a woman came out to check it, then went back inside. I have now been waiting for 40 minutes and counting. And I have to sit through all of this and still go back inside and wait some more. So moral of the story, if you need to register your car (even if you have an appointment) DO NOT go here. read more

Did a transfer of title. Just need a smog check to complete transfer . Great, Diana was able to take me back for smog check with BO20 number window 25 8:55am. To10:28Am read more

My daughters driving test appointment was at 10:45am. Its now 2:00 pm and we are still waiting in line to take the test. This is absolutely ridiculous! Not only are they unorganized but not to mention that the employees need a refresher course in Customer service.. Focus on your customer lady! Not who's moving in the line, trust me eventually the humans will move down! read more

Was able set an appointment and get in and out pretty quickly, also they were very courteous when it came to me forgetting a few things.

Went in to do a renewal on my vehicle registration. I had questions so I went up to this bald Securtity guy in the front and he just smiled at me and pointed at my paper and left. He made me feel so little this is my first time doing this without any parents. I got overwhelmed and left. Never going to this DMV again! read more

I've never written a Yelp review in my life but my experience today made me want to thank the entire staff at the Arleta DMV and post this review. I've been to a few DMV offices in different states in my life and this has been the most organized, respectful and nice experience I've ever been through at a DMV. I did have an appointment that I had made online a few months ago. There was a huge line outside waiting to get in the same day and a pretty small one for appointments. They made sure to come outside and check what every person's purpose was at the DMV office today. I was quickly checked in, asked to take a seat at a designated spot and waited for about 10-15 minutes before my number got called. The lady at window 18 was efficient, respectful and nice. I was prompted to go take my picture and that happened without any delay. The gentleman at the picture taking window was a kind, professional man with such a great energy. I was showed to the exit (separate than entrance due to Covid 19) right after. Thank you so much Arleta DMV! :) I regret not asking for the names of the people that checked me in, serviced at the window and photo booth because I would like to say a big Thank You! read more

Horrible work ethic. Slowest and most rude people to ever encounter. These people claim to be under paid?

This people are totally retarded!!!! Horrible customer service and can't get anything done at the first visit. They request paperwork, I bring to them, and then they request something else. Why can't they just list all the documents needed the first time??????? They really want job security just to have people come back. Arleta DMV does not even deserve one star, they are horrible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. read more

This DMV has terrible service. Many people say to Come here for your behind the wheel test but this place has also messed up my appointment 4 times. Avoid making online appointments and call them instead and make sure you get a confirmation number and if you do make your appointment online make sure to call a day before You go in just to make sure read more

I've lived in Southern CA for 10 years. Arleta DMV is definitely the best DMV office that I've ever visited. I got appointment on saturday morning. There was quite long line but people go forward quickly. It took only 15 minutes to renew my expired DL. The staffs were very kind and worked efficiently. read more

Typical DMV long lines under staffed by grumpy folks.

Very horrible. I payed to take my permit test around March of this year. I passed on August but when i checked. My permit said it expires on October. I asked them how is it possible that 1 year has passed. Last year I only asked for an ID and some dumbass also put that I payed for a permit test. And once I passed, they didn't put me in the system. How stupid can people be?! read more

Perhaps the worst dmv ever seen.. If u have apointment than also u have to wait for more than 2 hours.. Had very bad experience.

I heard about how bad the DMV can be in California, so coming from Minnesota I made an appointment a week in advance so that I would be set to get my Cali license when my move was complete. I checked the website several times to made sure I had all the necessary requirements to secure my license because I needed it before my job in Cali would let me start working. I get to the DMV and am immediately turned away because the rules changed As of the day I came to the DMV and even though nothing was posted about these changes and wasn't their issue and they didn't know what to tell me. TERRIBLE customer service, they weren't even trying to help me. I wouldn't leave until I had a solution and they weren't offering any, nonetheless a week later I secured my license. I've never been so put off by the lack of professionalism I encountered at this DMV read more

This older lady was so rude. I was explain the situation of what was going on. She ignored me. And started talking over me. She started to get loud. It's so upsetting how people can be so rude when waiting for 4 hours to be called. read more

If I could give no stars I definitely would have. Today I visited this location with my mother who needed to renew her vehicle registration and due to the current events, they were only taking appointments. One security guard nicely informed us that we were welcome to use the self-serve express box and showed us where the line was. We waited in line and when it was our turn, one of the office staff ladies rudely said I was not allowed to go inside. I understand because of the circumstances and said that was fine and asked if someone could assist my mother since she did not know how to use the express box. Once again, she rudely responded "No, she has to do it on her own." I said I understood but she would need some help. Again she said "oh well, that is not my problem. Make an appointment." I found her to be extremely disrespectful and rude after I asked for customer service that should be accommodated in the first place. read more

Had the worst experience ever!! My daughter needed her ID stood in line for about 35 minutes we got to desk where they give you your number. The lady takes the application I try to give her the documents I had she didn't even bother looking at them. She said she need two forms of address verification I told her oh I thought you just needed the birth certificate and the social security card because my other daughter had gotten her ID recently. She told me the law changed in 07/2016 I told her how was I supposed to know that she said its on the website when you schedule an appointment I told her I was on the line with no appointments so obviously I didn't go on the website. I told her you should have a paper outside that lets you know what you need before you waste your time standing in line. She said people don't read the information I told her then have a poster of some kind stating that the law changed she replied well I'll let my manger know. I walked out and her and the security guard Carillo look at each other and have a smirk. I come back with a bunch of papers the security guard sees me and decides to go on a break she is helping people sees me and that it's almost my turn and decides to go on her lunch. The next lady that helped me took the birth certificate with noooo problem I asked her for the other ladies name but did not want to give me her name... I mean if your going to work with people don't be rude and try and treat people as though they are dumb. This is not the welfare office we aren't getting stuff for free!!! We are paying for your services your employees should have a bit more of customer service!!! read more

Long wait lines , just like all the other DMVs. Rude customer service. Employees have a nasty attitude. Seems like they hate their jobs here

Rudest DMV I've been to in all the Valley. I get it's a stressful job and you get rude people all the time but don't take it out on people who have not done anything to you read more

I came in the morning around 8 am and was asking the lady outside the front door where to go for my behind the wheel test and she quickly told me to go in a line but when they opened, the security guard manning the front door quickly stopped me and asked what I was there for, even though he let in the rest of those in front of me, and told me to go in when it was time for my appointment, which was at 8:40. When my mom asked the lady why we weren't being allowed in, she rudely and vaguely told us to go in after everyone else, but there were like 3 different lines, so who the heck is she talking about?? The security guard then let us in after 5 minutes so I don't understand his train of thought. Also, the individual at window 30 kept talking to the one at window 29 and I get that coworkers talk amongst themselves but it's more courteous and progressive for them to handle customers first instead of slowing down the process and making everyone else in line frustrated. The only reason I gave a star is because my test examiner was really nice and made me feel less nervous, thank you Alex! read more

I just got hung up on. Now I need to wait over an hour to reach a new customer service rep.

If I could give negative stars, I would. It's frankly this was one of the worst places, forget DMV places, I've been to. The lady in the front with glasses whom I believe is Latina, gave me an incorrect wait number and when she told me I needed other documents she didn't bother explaining and I basically wasted 3 hours of my time to get nothing. I know this place is going to be inefficient but that was exceptionally frustrating. I doWnloaded yelp just to say this. I would strongly recommend no one come to this place because situations like are not an anomaly unfortunately. read more