Guys....check the website and bring all of your stuff. Don't be an idiot... your DMV experience will go much smoother if you just pay attention. EVERYONE hates the DMV and even after them losing my appointment I didn't want to go crazy on them. It's their job and lack of funding. geeez! I had to get my new license by that next day, so I just went back the next day (at the crack of dawn) and stood in line. Mind you, i brought doughnuts and something to read. It wasn't that long of a process and the lady who helped me was super nice. We chatted and laughed while I was going through the process.. Granted, I don't want to go back every day, but once ever so often isn't that bad. ****tip... if you want to stand in line and not get an appointment get there at least at 7 or you will be waiting a long time. read more

On March 11, I had my rear license plate stolen while I was at work (in broad daylight!). I dreaded my visit to DMV, but it was inevitable that I go. I went on Monday, and their computers were down, so I went home and made an appointment. My appointment was for March 23, at 10:20am. I downloaded all the forms, filled them out, and printed them. I took the forms, my title and remaining license into the office for my appointment. I checked in at Window 20, and my little slip with the number on it said 10:08. I was out of there at 10:20, and it only cost me $19, and I was expecting it to be much more. I have no complaints about DMV, but definitely make an appointment, it's worth it! But unless you have an emergency, DON'T GO WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT! read more

Brought two people for two different reasons. Showed up early there was HUGE line but it moved fast and we were all finished in less than an hour!!! No DMV Ivisit is ever pleasant, but I've been to three this month and Hillcrest is the absolute fastest (March 2011) read more

Went in yesterday around 1:30pm just to renew my registration and show proof of insurance. The parking lot was packed so I was expecting the line to be long. Finally found a spot to park my SUV. Just a side note the parking spots at this DMV suck balls. They are mainly for compact vehicles. Moving on I went inside waited five minutes to get a ticket. Finally got up there and the older lady just had a stank face and was rude. Now the real waiting game began. The place was somewhat busy but not unbearable. 15 minutes pass by and they start calling more numbers. After only waiting 30 minutes I finally was saw by someone which was okay. She was a older women with a thick Hispanic accent which was annoying to keep asking her to repeat herself. I was just happy to get out with a quickness. But I do agree with other yelpers this DMV is run down. It has a funky smell inside and the ladies bathroom literally smelled like a sewer. People need to bust out the old New Yorker trick. Spray a little bit of your favorite fragrance onto your cloths so you can smell it instead of the nasty odors within. Only giving two stars cause I didn't have to wait long. Would of gave three if the workers were friendlier. Good luck and make an appointment!!!!! read more

Who doesn't cringe when they see the long line trail out from DMV's front door and into the parking lot? Luckily, they DO take appointments (scheduled online) and you just walk past everyone else who is cursing at every employee and their mother who works there and check in at window 20. I do feel a bit sorry for the DMV employees myself because they get a lot of rude people there. Came here to transfer my motorcycle endorsement from Hawaii to California, but I flunked the first test (Hawaii's motorcycle test was not as complicated as Cali) and the lady was nice enough to let me see which ones I missed and let me retake it. read more

Like everyone else, knowing you need to go to the DMV is a dreadful thought, everyone knows there's lines of people with hours of waiting. I typically go to AAA but they can't replace an ID and a trip to the DMV was necessary. I was told to make an appointment which I did for today at 2:20, I arrived at 2pm just in case and the parking lot was full and the line was out the door, I walked up and realized that was the walk-in line and was told to go inside to the appointment counter. I literally was in and out in 25 minutes, I was blown away. I couldn't believe how many people were in line, standing and sitting and I couldn't understand why you wouldn't make an appt, I honestly felt like VIP in there. The staff was friendly, helpful, parking is a little bit of a pain and I obviously will recommend making an appt! read more

Went once for my new License, and it was rather slow, even with the appointment. Some staff is friendly, some are nasty. For the vehicle registration, I got one lady that was the worst person I have ever encountered at a business or public office. While trying to figure which paperwork to give her, she treated my lack of knowledge in a way that no one should ever be treated. Even made fun of me to other people next to me. "He doesn't know what that is? This guy shouldn't even be driving". Extremely disrespectful. And when giving out the final paperwork, didn't say a word, or explained what she was giving me. I wish the best luck to you all dealing with this branch. And I thought the DMVs in Denver and Chicago were bad... read more

It's DMV people. Yes it's always crowded and organized chaos but it works relatively well. Much better than disorganized chaos. Everyone we encountered was professional and friendly. Have been here twice in two weeks and both times were pleasantl. Keep up the good work and most of all thank you for the job you all do read more

Meh. But honestly, the best dmv I have been to in MANY cities. I had tried to come here three times before, but there was always a mega long line. I made an appointment on line(duh), and although the first appointment wasn't until 2 weeks later, I got all my issues resolved in one hour. The young lady,very hipster-ish, super pretty and nice, oh and patient, helped me out a lot! I wish I would of gotten her name! My tip to you: make an appointment and stand in appointment line. Have all your docs in hand and you will be helped! read more

avoid at all costs! Before joining the line outside I checked the wait times and it said one hour without an appointment. This was at 8:45 am. I didn't get out until almost 1:45, so it turned out to be a 5 hour wait, which was 5 times more than their website said. That's quite a difference and they are quite inept there. All I needed was to replace a state Id after losing my wallet. This is shameful. Had I known I never would have tried to replace it and would have just kept using my passport. That's how bad it is. You lose a day of your life if you come here for any reason. No matter what their website says. They lie or are incompetent. Either way you lose. This is shameful customer service but obviously no shame is felt, no empathy is extended, and the service is totally inadequate for the needs of the citizens. Never again. I'll go without Id before i ever come back to this hellish establishment. Ps most people can't wait a month for an appointment, which is how long it takes to get one. Among many unpleasant things that happened while we were here, the worst was how despite lots of different people wanting to stand in front of a door on the side because there were not enough seats, the only people the guards ever hassled about it were black. Happened repeatedly. All the nice white people doing it were allowed to keep doing so without being verbally harassed read more

Worst. DMV. EVER. If there's any chance you can do your business somewhere else (AAA office maybe) don't be lazy and just go there! DMV at Hillcrest? What a s***hole. Really. They're nasty, racist and make you wait a lot, not to mention that they mix up ID's and Driver's Licenses...I mean your job is to NOT mix it up! There's one dude who's really nice and helpful-wish I'd known his name. Oh, and the parking lot is great for Sunday's Farmers Market! My advice? Toke up before you go just to calm yourself down before you deal with idiots...or just don't go. read more

The DMV. We all have to go there at some point, and we all dread it. I have had two encounters with this DMV location in the past couple of weeks: one to get a California drivers license, and one to register my car in the state. I made an appointment for both visits, and let me tell you, this is the way to go. I think the longest wait I had was no more than seven minutes. I barely had time to check in on Facebook to garner sympathy from my friends before my number was called. In fact, most of the expressions of sympathy were sent after I was already out of the place. All of the employees I encountered were nice enough, even if they were a little bit on the defensive at first. But really, they work at the DMV. You can't hold that against them. These poor people never know what monstrosity of humanity is about to come up to their counter and yell at them for something that isn't their fault, so I'll cut them some slack for taking a minute to warm up. Once they realized I was friendly, prepared, and competent, they all wound up being pretty friendly too. And everyone who helped me got my papers and information in order very quickly and efficiently. My only complaints? Well, for one thing, this place could be a little cleaner. Now I realize that with the amount of traffic they have coming through on a daily basis, the building is never exactly going to sparkle. But it does look a little run down, which doesn't exactly inspire confidence. Also, it would be nice if there were a few seats reserved for the elderly or disabled. As with all DMV's, there's not enough seating for the number of people waiting. On both of my recent visits, I saw people who were in need of a seat unable to find one, and the people who already had a chair were either too selfish or not paying enough attention to get up and offer their seat to the someone who really needed it. Bottom line: make an appointment. You'll be the envy of everyone who didn't. read more

I was never able to get out of DMV this fast before. GO ONLINE AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT so you don't have to wait in that ridiculously long line. Made an appointment on Friday night and came in this Monday morning to transfer my out of state driver license to California DL. In and Out within an hour. Came in, filled out a form, took the written test, passed (of course) and then that's it. My new DL will be mailed within 2 weeks. Definitely recommend this place to all my family and friends. read more

I cannot think of a single place I have been to in my twenty-five years of life that has been worse than this. What an incredible embarrassment to the state. Definitely doesn't inspire confidence in the CA government to a new resident. read more

I waited for 4 hours to get a replacement license. There's no reason for it to take that long. I heard they are having to revamp their systems so hopefully that will help. read more

All I'm sayin' is MAKE A DARN APPOINTMENT...and I can't wait to watch a realty show of the freak shows that walk in this place, and the disgruntled staff who have turned ice cold because of these repetitive freak shows that they have to deal with. These poor employees don't even know what to do with themselves when they get someone friendly like me at their counter...they just stare back at me with a glazed over look in disbelief. SMH. Btw, why do the CALIF DMV's have to stick with the stigma of all of their locations being dirty, smelly, and unorganized. Who can change this because it's ridiculous! read more

Well I was 1 1/2 years overdue on getting a Cali license..I wanted to be that unique snowflake with the WA driver's license down here still. Or perhaps I knew how awful the DMV is. Do people purposely not shower or not change out of pajamas because they know they're going to the DMV? Well when someone told me that was illegal I went into take the written test and promptly failed it by one question. WHY? Because this fucking place gave me my 2nd and worst MIGRAINE of my life. "C ONEELEVEN GO TO WINDOW TWENTY C ONE ELEVEN GO TO WINDOW TWENTY." This plesantry and my surroundings smelling like a thousand dirty bum's nutsacks made me want to puke everywhere. Thanks DMV. read more

Blarg. Went in for a document to be printed. We were told that this is separate from the other people waiting (it was packed!) so it should only take 10 minutes. Over an hour later went to check. Different guy says that documents are the same waiting as everyone else, even though we have a different code. Expect 90 minutes. If we had known 90 minutes, we would have just gotten an appointment and come back. read more

THE WORST DMV I HAVE EVER BEEN TO! I have been to a number of DMVs in my lifetime and this one was BY FAR the worst. It is disorganized, constantly packed to the point of no seating, and just plain awful. Despite having an appointment, we spent close to four hours getting our emissions tests, registration paperwork, and our temporary driver's licenses (out-of-staters). We were standing or sitting in our cars (for the emissions tests) the whole time since there were only about thirty seats for the hundreds of people waiting around. To make things even worse, the computer system went down which made them unable to call numbers for close to an hour. Ridiculousness. The only good thing about this place is the staff who were surprisingly upbeat and friendly. read more

Best DMV experience. Call me insane but I was in out in 45 minutes without an appointment. Friendly fast staff. Free wifi and a Pokemon stop makes this DMV fun!! Filled with free Handbooks!! The crowd all had smiles!! read more

DMV - I know for next time. - Departments of Motor Vehicles Near Me - San Diego, California

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This has been the best DMV Experience I've had in my 29 years of life. This place sets the standard of efficiency and customer service that every other should follow. Employees are helpful, patient and courteous. My whole experience was less than an hour as was everyone else who came in. I know each day can differ but this place eased the DMV Nightmare that we all experience. I would drive an hour for this place just so it saves you an all day wait. Mind you I came here on a Friday afternoon at 2:30pm and was out by 3:30pm. Thumbs up to this staff and location. read more

I recently moved to San Diego from Texas. I, like everyone else was dreading going. It was my first time to go alone. I had to transfer my car and my license so it was a lot that needed to be done. However, everyone at the DMV was extremely nice and helped me through the process. For the first time I was able to go to the DMV and get both of those things done in under two hours on a Friday. When going make sure you make an appointment as well as try to go when it is raining. read more

I normally don't care for yelp, especially since I work in the restaurant industry, people tend to complain about anything to get free stuff and whatnot. Anyways, I spent 6.5 hours at this DMV today (I showed up at 7:30 this morning and the line was already going around the block, so I would recommend coming at 6am if you don't want to wait that long). I knew there would be a long wait, and I was fine with it. The woman at the front door was extremely rude, she barely said a word to me, but I was waiting by the entrance for about 3 hours and listened to the way she was treating people the whole time, it was painful. I understand that saying the same things over and over again every day can be irritating, but she was so rude to nice people just asking simple questions. This is not what my review is about. When I finally got in, window #17, I met Sharone. I applied for an AB60 drivers license. It seemed like she had never seen a French passport before and was very confused, so I tried to help her by explaining where the information she needed was and she said "this is not my first day, not my first rodeo, you're irritating me and being a smart ass". I was very polite the whole time and really trying to make her job easier. Then she said "why do YOU PEOPLE have to wait until your documents expire to apply for a driver's license?!" Which sounded extremely xenophobic. She also threatened to send me back to the back of the line when I pressed the home button on my phone just to check for today's date, when this area wasn't even a "no phone" area. I think this is not okay at all to treat people that way. I'm sure my review won't make a difference, but I just wanted to let management know. The guy who took my picture, and the lady who helped me take the written test were super nice though. read more

Just had some great help at the DMV. I did make an appointment first, but anyway, got great help from Jose at window #27 well done DMV read more

I made an appointment to get assistance in having an out of state car titled and registered to CA. 8:30am on a Thursday. BOY DID I HAVE FUN. The DMV website thoroughly lists possible documents you may need to transfer a title/registration but in no particular order or process. So someone who needs assistance would make an appointment to understand this process. Or so i thought. "WHY ARE YOU HERE IF YOU HAVENT HAD YOUR VEHICLE VERIFIED IN LANE 1? YOU NEED TO GO GET YOUR VEHICLE VERIFIED AND THEN COME BACK AND SEE ME FOR ANOTHER APPOINTMENT". -DMV employee a 74 minute wait to have my vehicle verified in lane 1. (5 car line) Then I return to hear, "Oh the car was a gift from your mother, why don't you have a STATEMENT OF FACTS form. Fill this out and then make another appointment". 30 minutes later. Okay so it will be $113. But we can't give you the registration yet. "Now you need to get the smog test." $58 at the Smog Certification Center. Excuse me miss. Some of us who aren't familiar with this process would like a bit of guidance. Not you rudely screaming at us over the sounds of crying children and the next window guest number. I left the DMV at 12:23- and yes I made a point to check the time. I have to go home and get a hex wrench to remove my plates and make another appointment to simply hand in my forms with my plates. Disgusting to think that this is a government run system and yet people continue to vote for more government, more government. Yet a DMV office cannot be run effectively to handle the concerns of citizens who are looking to properly and legally handle their automotive issues. No wonder people don't follow rules. Makes me sick. read more

Couldn't get an appointment for weeks, waited in line for four hours, couldn't use the bathrooms, the women working for the DMV would come out with her clip board and would abruptly, with a mean tone, talk down to you spew a few words... do you you have your eight code number? If not than you can't wait in line. She would come out occasionally and speak down to us like we where idiots. Worse experience I've ever had at the DMV . One poor woman pregnant standing there that long, no bathroom and they could care less. read more

This place is hell on earth! Do yourself a favor and drive up to Kearney Mesa or drive down to Chula Vista. I arrived here at 8:45AM this morning and it's now 2:35pm. I still have 15 people in front of me before I'm able to be seen. I could go on and on and on about this DMV or any DMV in that case but I'll save you and me the agony of despair. Bottom line, DMV wake the fuck up!!! read more

Got there at 8A--line around the block. Getting our NJ licenses and registration changed to CA--as nerds do, we obsessed over the DMV website until we knew exactly what to expect. Despite the fact that we were prepared with the smog check, title, passports, registration, vehicle inspection, screwdrivers to remove plates---it still took us 2 hours to get done. We thought the workers were friendly enough. Even though only one person at a time grades the tests. The main complaint I have is the single stall in the girls bathroom. My number was G030 and I was waiting for the bathroom by G023 but someone was dropping a deuce!! Numbers kept getting called up, they were up to G029 when my butt hit the toilet-paper-covered seat. I only got to 1/2 empty my bladder, wash hands (used soap!) and run out as they called my number. read more

What can I say but wow and great job DMV!! This location takes appointments; it was a week and a half out, but at least the appointment scheduling is convenient and online. I only had to change my name on my driver's license and renew it before my birthday! Came in, the nice lady at window 20 gave me the proper forms...waited 5 minutes, paid my fees, showed them my documentation, did the eye test, waited in another line to take my picture, they gave me my temp license and I was done.....15 minutes max!!! Whoa, pretty dang good DMV, pretty dang good! Without an appointment, OMG, there must have been 40 people in line, going out the front door, and another 60+ inside waiting...don't go with an appointment! read more

Awful place. Poorly organized. Terrible service. The low level of competence and intelligence by some of the employees is only exceeded by the stupidity of the parking lot. Arrows point in the wrong direction on the asphalt- indicating that cars should drive down a lane and BACK IN - to angled parking spots?!?! This is the DMV? I'm here today to drop my sister off and decided to wait a few minutes to see if she'd be able to if it fast or if it would be a slow wait. In under 5 minutes, I got yelled at by two employees for 'loitering' in vacant spots with NO through traffic even though my engine was on and I had my hazard lights blinking. I patiently explained to one female employee that it would be just for a couple minutes but she refused to tolerate me and my car in an entirely VACANT back corner of the parking lot because the spot I picked was exclusively for employees. Now if it was employee parking then where the hell were all the cars??? I find it hard to believe that all the employees in the building just walked or took public transit to work. 3 out of 30+ spots were taken, yet she just couldn't tolerate one quiet person sitting in the shade for 5 minutes. This is the exact same mentality that makes so many government agencies so inefficient and frustrating. And this just adds power to the percentage of positive experiences I have ever had inside this DMV: 0%=ZERO% read more

This is one of the most crowded DMVs in the city. Appts are booked about 3 months out right now, but my 2 hour wait wasn't unbearable. If you like people watching...have at it! There's lots to see. It's very dimly lit and very institutional in decor. The speaker and TV screen system is somewhat entertaining and sometimes makes me want to yell out "Bingo!" but I stop myself. read more

First time for everything. This DMV seems to be really changing for the better. Great service from the front desk to the counter where we registered our vehicle. Keep up the great work, now I can finally quit spending the extra money going to the outside agency as much. read more

I went in to see why I hadn't the tags for my car and the lady that was helping me out was SUPER rude and unprofessional!! Had a nasty attitude and was very snappy. She was cursing to another older lady she had helped before me. Poor service and staff members are so disrespectful. They just really all really seem unhappy with their jobs to be honest. read more

I guess that the fact that I had an appointment that I made on-line and the fact that I arrived 10 minutes early for my 0950 appointment and I was out of there by 1008 made it a GREAT experience. I had to renew my DL. Never received a renewal in the mail, so had to "do it in person". Frankly, I couldn't imagine NOT having an appointment, and I am sure if I was one of the people standing outside in line, my experience would be much less... or should I say, laced with f-bombs... read more

Make an appointment... You will not have to wait long. Never seen a place where you have to stand up to take a test though. No dmv s are fun to go to, but this one isn't horrible. read more

Don't show up without an appointment unless you're prepared to wait outside in the sun for an hour or two... They have limited indoor sitting area and people are everywhere! Appointments are booked for week-two weeks ahead. Plan ahead. Make an appointment read more

Had the worst experience at Normal Street DMV today. Window 17, think her name is Lisa (from past reviews-see pictures). This woman is miserable. This is not her first complaint on Yelp! Hates her job and hates people. Wouldn't answer my questions, literally threw some of my paperwork at me, and slam down the rest of it. Was so nasty had me in tears when finished. One of the most miserable, rudest, hateful people I've ever encountered in customer service. Wish I knew where to write a letter to her supervisor. Should NOT be working around people at all. So glad I don't have to renew my license in person for a long time. read more

Two places I HATE waiting at. .: Navy Medical Clinic and .: DMV Came here at 4:20pm and was out the door in 40mins. Pretty fast, right? And that even included three in-and-out trips to my car to get the right document. Maybe if the lady that helped me out didn't have a condescending tone, or the guy right next to her desk wasn't being a smart-ass, I would have given this place a 5. But they don't care. They're just workers there. They don't own the place :) but if you want your driving stuff done and fast, go to this branch. THEY'RE PRETTY FAST! read more

it's a typical DMV it's packed, the wait time wasn't to bad considering it's a big city. I only applied for a state ID so I donno if that factors in this placed smelled really bad though I'm glad we had the option of waiting outside. there are signs outside where it tells people the have to smoke a certain distance away from the building but it didn't seem like people cared, which sucks because I dislike the smell of cigarette smoke. over all I guess the experience could have been worse. I'd call ahead or check online before you go to make sure you have all the proper documents and paper work you need. also online you have the option of making an appointment read more

Sure it looks like chaos and any other DMV but everything moves quickly as it should and the employees were amazingly helpful and nice. Thank you!!!!! Other DMVs should come see how it's done here. I'm impressed. Oh yeah, and make an appointment - much smoother process. read more