The new appointment system is really great!!! You don't even have to be sitting at the DMV anymore,…read morebecause you're able to watch how many people are ahead of you and how fast you're moving closer to your turn to start your appointment. This was my first time at this DMV and my experience with met with friendly and informative Security guards and honestly my first time experiencing multiple friendly and talkative workers. It wasn't just one but multiple workers because what I was being seen for and everyone of them were friendly, informative and helpful and they even apologized for the wait but I didn't wait long for anything and got everything I needed complete with ease and friendly professionalism!!!

In and out in under 15 minutes Boy it's gotten so much…read morebetter since the old days of waiting and waiting! My experience today was five star. Everybody working at the DMV was polite and friendly. And the lines moved smoothly and quickly. I was here to renew my drivers license, take an eye exam, and get a new picture. Everything went like clockwork. Other state agencies should take note!

The employee working at Window 12 was the only bright spot in an otherwise frustrating experience…read more I came in with a complicated licensing issue during a statewide outage, and while most people would understandably be stressed, he stayed calm, professional, patient, knowledgeable, and genuinely helpful the entire time. He treated me with respect and actually seemed interested in solving the problem instead of making customers feel like a burden. The DMV needs more employees like him. Unfortunately, two of the women at the front counter acted like helping customers was personally offensive to them. I was snapped at just for approaching the counter and immediately met with hostility for no reason. If you hate dealing with the public that much, customer service probably isn't the right job. Being stressed is one thing; being rude and dismissive to people asking for help is another. Their behavior was honestly horrifying from my point of view, as someone who has also worked customer service her entire adult life. Window 12 is the only reason this office is getting 4 stars instead of 1. He carried the entire experience.

First time coming in to the Normal st. location !…read more Huge shout out to Carlos!!!! The norm of DMV anxiety, did not exist in this location visit. Thank you Carlos for making this process so smooth, welcoming, and helpful. Your customer service was outstanding. Thank you thank you !!!

I'm giving 5 stars because of one employee in particular, Robert, who I believe is a supervisor. He…read morewent above and beyond to help me and made an otherwise hectic day so much easier while I was there with my two-year-old. His professionalism, kindness, and willingness to help truly stood out. Employees like Robert make all the difference. Thank you for the excellent customer service!

The San Ysidro DMV field office looks relatively new! This state-of-the-art facility has a…read moreself-serve kiosk to avoid waiting in line. DMV kiosks are convenient and offer services that are quick and easy. No wait times and open daily! I scheduled an appointment for my daughter to take her behind-the-wheel test at 9 AM. We arrived early at 8:45 AM and were directed to window 8 for early check-in. They checked us in and furthermore instructed us to bring our vehicle around for inspection before heading out to take the driver test. I'm not even exaggerating when I say, we waited an additional 50 MINUTES outside in our vehicle, in the hot blazing sun (no shade) before my daughter was able to take her driver test. I was very disappointed in the lack of organization and communication. At times, it seemed both instructors seemed dazed and confused about who was next in line. Mind you, there were (3) separate vehicle lanes and many people were not made aware of which lane they were designated. In the end, my daughter passed her driving test and is now a licensed driver in the state of California. We are super stoked and very proud of her! I will definitely reconsider coming back to this DMV in the future!

I had a really good experience here! The service I experienced was very friendly and helpful from…read morestart to finish. I'll admit it was my fault and I didn't realize I needed to bring my ID, and I had one of the last appointments of the day. The doors were already closed, so they let me know I wouldn't be able to go back in and out. It was completely understandable though. I ended up coming back the next morning, and it worked out even better. I got there early and was one of the first people to check in at 7:50am. I was in and out in about 11 minutes! Easily one of the fastest DMV experiences I've ever had! I'm not sure how new the QR code system is (I usually try to avoid the DMV and do everything online), but I actually liked it. It shows your place in line and how many people are ahead of you, which made the whole process feel way more organized. All in all, a super smooth experience and way better than what you'd expect from the DMV!

I liked the QR code that was quick but I was G204 I must of…read morewaited for 45 mins then it changed The teller was so nice. But the lady did the test Was rude as the line for photos was long I was done! Waiting for my Real ID

Mohammed assisted me in transferring title over. It was a quick process, no waiting. I will be back…read moreto this specific location. The customer service was fantastic.

Very nervous. Don't like the new test.I have to take my DL after a fail…read more The old test was simple, but when you get use to 1 way, it's hard to change. I don't see a reason for it being changed.

I came with my son to the DMV in order to have him do his written test. We forgot one of the…read morerequired documents and the DMV employee gave us the opportunity to come back within the next 30 minutes with the documents so that my son could take the drivers test. Debbie was the DMV employee at the Poway DMV who helped us not only was she very friendly she gave me and my son grace! Every parent going through this process knows how stressful this can be and Debbie made our day by going above and beyond! The DMV in Poway was the DMV that I went to when I was getting my permit and drivers license and come full circle. I'm here with my son. Thank you so much, Debbie, for making this experience for me and my son definitely a memorable one! :)

Alright.. I gotta take accountability here. I waited and waited to get a Real ID. I mean I have a…read morepassport, so I can use that to travel. Honestly, I felt pretty golden given my passport isn't set to expire for a long while (just got a new one!)... however.... I did not (in all my self satisfied feelings of not bending just yet to "the man") anticipate that my drivers license was set to expire... I no longer had the option of just going online and having one sent to me. Nope. That ship sailed. I'd have to go take my beating like the rest of everyone else. But now I'd have to do it in a time crunch without appointments available. Did this to myself. I take accountability. I absolutely understand that this is my fault. So I can't fault the crazy line in the "no appointment" line. No Sir! That was on me (Although I'm kinda bummed at even a month they didn't have appointments I could book), and this is what I deserved for being so "smart." At the very least they have online check in. So you can get in line virtually and wait from the comfort of a nearby destination. No appointment?!? Either get here at opening or get checked in online. Trust me. The physical line is long and it's just an awful experience to even be inside the building. It's crowded, people are not in good moods, and it's a slow line. This is about 9:30ish. By 9:45 there wasn't a seat to be seen. While I checked in early I decided to poke my head in and see if maybe I could get in even earlier but that was a hilarious thought lol No way was that happening for me. Options if you are waiting at the location? Well, you can tool around Walmart. Grab some food (saw a taco place among others), stand outside like a lot of the younger folks tend to do, or you can wait in the comfort of your car. Which is what I chose. Every now and then checking to see where I was in the line via mobile. But let's ask the real question on everyone's minds...how did my new picture turn out? Awful!!!! Just so bad everyone!!! I don't know how they managed to make someone with a weak chin look like they had a Jay Leno chin... but they somehow managed that feat! Sigh....

I wish I would have caught the woman's name, but I had the best interaction with the kindest woman…read moreat the El Cajon DMV on a Friday afternoon (4/11/25) Let me paint a picture, it was Friday around 3pm... the line was wrapped around the door just to check in and this angel of a human at window 12 was nothing short of amazing. I had no idea that getting married before getting my California license many years ago was going to complicate getting my REAL ID, but she worked her magic and made it happen... all with a smile on her face!!! I'm literally kicking myself for not getting her name, but she was the wonderful woman at window 12! I appreciate you and pray God blesses you in every aspect of your life

Filled out everything online, submitted all documents for my son's permit. Waited 2 months and had…read moreto drive 45min away for the soonest appointment. 1) Received a text to click on a link to check in 10 minutes before our appointment time and the link is broken/unusable. 2) Got there and scanned the QR code, expecting to be seen in 15-20ish minutes because we were "Express" (having everything done online ahead of time, and approved, and had an appt time). WAITED OVER AN HOUR. What's the point of "Express" then? 3) I have a screenshot of our online process that says they take electronic copies of proof of residency, printed is not required but is suggested. Finally get called to the windows and the worker says we are REQUIRED to have printed copies. I show her my screenshot and she says, "I need to scan it." I asked her what was the point of submitting the documentation online then? She had no answer, just stared at me. I explained AGAIN and said the DMV website states that proof of residency will be accepted in electronic form, printed ISNT required but is suggested. She stared at us again, long pause, "I need to have the physical paper to scan." I asked again, why don't they have it already if I had to pre-submit it and it was approved. Again, no answer and long stare. 4)I stared back, waiting for direction, and nothing. I asked what we do next and she said "I don't know, I need the paper." I asked if there was anywhere nearby I could print out copies and she says "I don't know." Then I asked what we do when we have them printed and she said, "Get in line agan." Clearly, NOT HELPFUL and had no intention of being helpful, she just started chatting with her coworker nearby about nothing related, NOT A QUALITY EMPLOYEE. *the ONLY good thing I have to report is that the facility was very clean and organized well.

Aloha gang! My return visit to the DMV office in Poway was not bad at all. I can see that they are…read moreworking to have the lines move as quickly as possible. A staff member is there to check you in and lnsure you have all the proper paperwork to complete your transaction. When my number was called the staff member at the window was kind and answered all the questions I had. The transaction was fairly quick and easy. I always try to visit between 1 pm and 3 pm when the line is a little shorter.

This DMV is great! Everyone here is polite and friendly. It's a small DMV so there is not a lot…read moreof people. As soon as you come in you get helped, even without an appointment is super fast! Location makes a great difference and this DMV gets 5 stars from me. Specially the workers, they're all happy, respectful and friendly!

Did a smog check. Go here if you are happy paying 2.5x the market rate…read more A quick google search will show that smog checks form other providers in the area are $20-40. They charge $79.95! Additionally the pricing for services is hidden in the back auto shop and out of view from customers. Only way you'll know is if you ask, my mistake is a didn't.

Always efficient and friendly service there. Now that he is "full service," it is one stop…read moreshopping for smog check, DMV submission, and registration tag.

if i could give 0 stars…read more this place lost my title and no one has helped me recover it. they went out of business, not surprised there.

Although not a full-service DMV, this registration service is super-convenient. No more standing…read morein long lines line and taking crap from overworked and disgruntled DMV employees. If you need to accomplish a simple vehicle registration, go here. In less than ten minutes you can register your car (or accomplish one of a couple dozen simple, standard DMV tasks like change of address) and be on your way. They do charge an additional $20 for the service, but it is more than worth it to avoid the local DMV. Because they are located at the NEX Autoport and service almost solely military clients, they already have the California state tax exemption forms handy. Instead of the exorbitant registration renewal fee (which for my SUV was going to be just shy of five hundred), I only paid $86 (plus the $20 fee). AAA can't even do that for you. The drawbacks? It will take about a week and a half for your new registration and sticker to come in, so don't wait until the last minute. Also, they told me that they would call me when my registration was in, but they never did. After two weeks I just went in to check on it, and it was just sitting in their drawer. That was a little annoying. Finally, as far as I know, they only have two locations: one at NAS North Island and one at MCAS Miramar.