What do you expect?…read more DMV or Department of Motor vehicles is a Secretary of State office, meaning it's a government facility with government employees. That said, they probably don't have a lot of funding for facility upgrades. So should I give them 5 stars? Well, I have been to several DMVs in my lifetime, two of which just in the last month. I was also at a facility in Aurora, so I'm using that to compare. The facility in Aurora is much better for many reasons. They seem to have a full staff of employees. You're always going to have a line and wait at the DMV but the DeKalb location seems to be severely understaffed. Each location has a check-in desk when you first walk in. In Aurora they have several people from the front door to the front desk. In DeKalb there are only a few employees that I could see and one of them runs between the front desk as well as working the actual counter to take care of customer transactions. In Aurora they have probably 15 counter positions with employees, but they also have more customers. They also have several TV screens showing the line queue and which counter has called your number. In DeKalb they just yell out your name and there's probably less than 10 counter positions. Anyway, you don't always get to choose which DMV you go to because in DeKalb that may be the only one in the whole county. If you have a choice I would say the one in Aurora is much nicer.

absolutely horrible drivers test experience, instructor had an attitude and didn't even look like…read moreshe wanted to be there. horrible instructions, didnt help with my anxiety, and after everything said, she told me I need to practice driving more before I try again, like that isn't obvious I am a 22 yr old woman there is no reason why as someone who needs their license that I should be treated like this. She was an African American lady, only one in the dmv today, and just was an overall horrible experience. Wished these people did better.

Thank you to a very kind girl. Hope did an Amazing job. Start to finish. She made a difficult…read moresituation easier than I thought. Can't thank you enough for EVERYTHING. DANNY MACHAK.

Came here back in August to renew my license/change address. Jordie was a bitch. Questioning me up…read moreand down, had to get help from 2 other women with certain things. It was beyond bs. I knew just by looking at her I was not going to like her. Long wait just to deal with bs and deal with her being beyond annoying and ignorant to me for no reason when it could have been a fast and smooth process. Also had to pay a extra $30 thanks to scam IL. If my license was not expired I would have not renewed my IL license since I been trying to find a house out of state. Fk this dmv and Jordie. Praying karma hits them both.and Fk IL to. 1 of the worst states out there.

Truly helpful and friendly, and Lydia is and always will be the DMV legend. HIghly recommend!read more

It's a DMV so my expectations are always low but this could easily be THE BEST DMV in Illinois…read more It's clean, it's organized, and the staff is actually pretty friendly considering they work at the DMV. End of last year my license was expiring soon and I needed to renew it ASAP. This location was the only location available that had appointments that same day. ( They always have multiple appointments available for multiple days). Once I got there I was in and out within 15 minutes tops. I will easily take the 30 min drive from Aurora to Plano just so I can have a pleasant experience. They need to keep up the great work!! So, if this dmv is a reasonable distance from you they're definitely worth the few extra miles.

I have always had reasonable service at the Lombard SOS office. Sure, it is a crowded zoo with…read morehundreds of people sitting around waiting in what looks like chaos. But I have been able to get through efficiently, in a reasonable amount of time and the task gets accomplished. Get that cattle-like feeling being herded through pens on the way to the slaughter, but it is efficient and is the government the politicians have created for us.

Be prepared for a two hour wait to get an appointment for your drivers test. We were there an hour…read morebefore it opened and there was already a line. Some elderly people brought chairs. We waited another hour then told we had to come back in an hour snd a half. Don't go Saturday morning unless you are there at least an hour and a half before they open. The line was around the parking lot. Someone needs to find a better way to manage this.

The dmv has moved to the old commerce bank in Roanoke Illinois, they have 4 registers to help…read morepeople theirs 6 people working and theirs only 3 including myself waiting for 30 minutes now as of this review. their is no urgency here or sense of a "want" to help anyone considering theirs more employees than customers as of now. everyone is just taking their time and if you call they will just leave you on hold until you hang up. whatever you do go to any other dmv besides this one cause with being bigger than the last dmv theres more room for people to wait around like they have all the time in the world with nothing important going on which obviously not the case.

Long line outside due to COVID which is understandable. What is not understandable is letting folks…read moreget in line and letting them hope to get in the door. Then turning them away. So frustrating to wait in line and get to the window to find you need one more thing. Especially since I called them ahead of time to confirm what I needed to bring. Thanks for wasting two hours of my day.

No one on the planet wants to go to the DMV. It is historically dreaded and reasonably so…read more This place will change your mind. It is doors down from Target with parking. You will be greeted and stand in queue. It is calm,quiet and efficient. You can get a driving test,written test,renewed license or new state license. Mine was even upgraded with a star to make it a Real ID. Regarding documents, if you think you should,then you should provide it. I believe that I was out in 45 minutes or so. * I did call and make a reservation,which may be required at that location, but is always the smart move. Just do it !

I went to the St. Charles location at about 12:30 pm. I know it wasn't terribly busy, but they let…read moreme come in earlier than my originally appointed time. The process for getting a new license really was efficient, and I was done within about a half hour. This is a HUGE improvement over the facility in Elgin, which was usually a nightmare to navigate.

Was NOT looking forward to having to renew my DL or going to the DMV, needed my Real ID too -…read moreusually it is the WORST experience, takes hours of your time and you're faced with grumpy workers. I put this off until the last possible minute because it is the last thing I want to do, but finally decided yesterday was the day to get it over with. So pleasantly surprised! Walked in - areas are roped off in sections. First section is the Check-in area. There was no line and I was able to see a customer care representative immediately - he was really nice - I was shocked but going with it. The key is to come prepared with necessary proof of identity and proof of residence, my DL was expired so I brought my expired DL, birth certificate, voters registration card and a current bank statement to prove my residence, so I was good. I was sent to the next roped off section where there was no waiting, I had to get my picture taken - that took about 1 min, the guy was really nice again and he's like "it's a good picture" I was sent to the next roped section where again I was able to sit down immediately at this station with another pleasant gentleman where my documents were scanned in, I answered like 7 questions and I took a quick vision test. In about 5 - 7 minutes I was sent to the next section, the cashier - there were 2 people in front of me but this still was super quick maybe 2 - 3 minutes - paid $30 for my Real ID and DL renewal - the Real ID is only $6. Sent next to a 'star' spot to wait until my name was called - maybe 30 seconds - during this time I noticed there was this nice French music playing from a speaker on the table in front of me and I said to the lady waiting alongside me....this music doesn't really go with the no frills gov't white paint and concrete environment...but honestly I think this office was really trying to make our customer experience a better one and I can appreciate that effort. I waited for my name to be called, again it was 30 seconds - where I received my temporary DL and was told by another pleasant worker that I would get my Real ID in the mail in about 2 weeks and I was outta there! All-in-all it was about a 15 - 20 min process but because it moved along so quickly it didn't even seem like that long. This facility is super efficient, everyone was really pleasant to work with and I am shocked to say that going to the DMV was painless and a good experience. Task completed and I was able to get on with my day!

Wow this is probably the most streamlined experience I have had at a DMV! And the best customer…read moreservice at a DMV too! I came to renew my REAL ID license on a busy Friday afternoon. The line was very long but it moved along, and there were staff positioned along the line to help answer questions, announce the paperwork requirements, and generally facilitate so that the line kept moving and everyone was ready or redirected by the time they reached the front of the first line. Keep in mind they have specific services here which are more limited than other DMVs. They mostly focus on IDs. When you reach the front of the first line, they will quickly check you have your correct documents then send you to the photo station where you take your photo. Then they tell you follow the arrows through a different line. I don't recommend trying to walk under the ropes/belts that divide up the line because you might end up in the wrong line! This next part is where they actually process your paperwork, ask you some questions, and check your vision. If you pass they send you to the cashier line, pay your fee, then they have you wait on the side for the temporary ID to print. The first line takes the longest and from there things move pretty efficiently. All the staff were pretty helpful and pleasant and friendly! Generally chill vibes. From start to finish it took just under 45 minutes. I bet it would be faster on a weekday or when it's not the Friday before Easter!

It's expected the SOS takes time, so come prepared with patience, humility, and more patience. This…read morereview is indicative of the process, not the waiting time, which is a given. There's not much they can do about this. All windows were open for processing, even ancillary booths that don't have numbers. All workers with the exception of one were extremely friendly and helpful. Total time from queueing in line to finish: 2.5 hrs Arrived at 6:50 am. Already 150 people ahead of me. Finished at 9:20 am. Here's the process: FOR license / ID: -line starts on SE side of the building, loops around the front sidewalk, and goes to the rear of the building -workers will inquire your needs and validate documentation while outside in line -once inside, photo and identity is taken -then residency and ID needs brokered at separate counter -pay cashier in separate line -move window over to receive temp license -done :) receive new license in mail in 3 weeks FOR vehicle registration: -line starts at back of building -cannot speak to specifics as I was grabbing a real ID only Tips: -be patient. Read a book, watch a show, listen to music -review all required documentation online before arrival -organize all documentation with paper clips / sticky notes per grouping (signature, DOB SSN, residency). Multiple workers will request specific items along the way. An out of state license (signature), passport (DOB), social security card (SSN), voters registration card (residency) and bank/mortgage statement (residency) are what I used for switching my license from MI to IL real ID -test is waived for out of state licenses if your current license is still valid (not expired) -bundle up if it's winter. You'll likely spend hours outside -get there early. By the time I left at 9:20, the line was around 250 people long -bring a lawn chair if you'd like to sit while in line

For the facility at 160 N. LaSalle, I was helped by a supervisor, Lisa Cruz, who went above and…read morebeyond to help me get my Real ID. I was one piece of paperwork short, and she helped me get it done, and I will forever be thankful. I'm usually tough on government facilities, but Ms. Cruz showed me there are still good people out there.