From arriving just before they opened to 20 min later, I was done. Appointments absolutely work!! My experience was great, staff was friendly and efficient. Be a safe driver everyone ! Especially no texting and drinking while driving. read more

Most inefficient "system" I have ever seen. Hire some consultants to streamline and all of your lives and ours would be better. Such a complete waste of time. No wonder you are all so bitter and angry and rude to customers. I waited for 30 minutes just to get put into the system for the day to take my test. They didn't call a single number in the H category except one in 30 minutes. One guy is supposed to handle those and all he drive test and written test completions. The line for completions kept filling up and he didn't once take a second to get a new tester started. He just kept helping the line of completed testers which never stopped growing. I was the only one waiting to test and there were like 10 open computers but I wasn't in the system yet. I actually had to leave because I had an appt and couldn't wait any longer. Now I get to go back again and wait some more. I can't even believe the lack of organization, the lack of flow from one stage to the next. The layout of the entire place is ridiculous and inefficient. Whoever runs this place should be embarrassed and ask for help to streamline. It could be so much better than it is if anyone just tried to improve it. read more

This place is great if you are a masochist and do not have an appointment, like me! I arrived at 7:45am for a license renewal and left around 10:30am. Although your sanity may be put to the test by how often you hear the staff say things like, "NO STANDING IN FRONT OF THE EXIT DOORS" and "RETURN THE CLIPBOARDS TO WINDOW 16" over and over and the same Robocop-style ads cycle through on every screen in 3 minute intervals, it's still always heartwarming to observe the kindness of other people giving up their seats to older citizens and people with babies as we all collectively feel minutes of our lives pass into oblivion. Like others have said: BOOK AN APPOINTMENT! Seriously. Save yourself. read more

I came here at 8am on May 08, 2020. It was the opening day after the pandemic lockdown. My son and I stood in line for two hours with at least 400 people in line around the block. And when you get to the front of the line, they announced that they are only taking those who have an appointment. The phone line and the website are not accepting appointments. The question remains is. Does it really take two hours for someone to announce that they are taking people with appts only? Or how hard is it to just post a sign? They are poorly trained, ill-mannered, uneducated, and immoral to other human beings who are already suffering the consequences of this stay-at-home order. If anyone needs to come to this DMV then they are more than dumb and desperate. San Diego is full of people more caring and competent than those who work here. I have seen Elementary school kids who have better communication skills than these DMV workers. They should be laid off. read more

New to California, went to the DMV today to register my car. I got a smog test , but was unaware that a Vehicle inspection was required as well. So, we got in the line to have that done. The very long line beside us was for drivers tests. OMG, the rudest woman alive was working that line. She was caucasian and had dyed hot pinkish purplish hair. The tone of her voice when she spoke to literally everyone was rude and condescending. She even snapped at innocent children!! I truly hope that she is the recipient of Karma. I hope when she's goes to run an errand on her day off, like the rest of us when we go to the DMV, that she will be treated the way she treated everyone today. Come on lady, it's easier to be nice. read more

Went in today for a driver's license renewal. Tried to schedule the online thing but couldn't wait until July 1st...license expired Monday on my birthday. Odd the DMV does not synch records with vehicle registration in some way. If they did they would have saved the money they spent sending my renewal to my old address. I never got it...I've been away from that address longer than the forwarding window... When I got to the window to get forms, and my number...some creepy lady (DMV employee) who wasn't listening to a damned thing I was saying started just shoving forms at me...I'm like dude...do I need to fill ALL of this out? Turned out I didn't... freak! Got in at 2:29, got my number called at 3:22. I brought my homework so I read while I waited. "Exploring Research, 7th Edition"...riveting stuff! Amazing how many strange types there are at the DMV...its almost always a freak show so you can seriously just sit back and behold the entertainment...bring a snack and it could be dinner and a show! Once my number was called, I think it took 10 minutes to fill out the paperwork, stand in line, get the photo and get out of there....Niice. No test... awesome!!! $28 to renew the license and surprisingly NO late fee! Given the state of the economy in California, I'm surprised they aren't charging late fees on anything that's passed due..including license renewal! My last visit to the DMV was in Poway.. I was in and out in 30 minutes with a vehicle registration payment that had a little bit of an issue around it... that one was cleaner and less ikky...the freaks were a little toned down up there too. Nice they take debit cards too now...who carries a check book? Net.- It wasn't horrible. And what do you really expect from the DMV!? My expectations are so low that anything above horror is pretty damned good for them!! read more

By far the best DMV I have been too. Efficient and great service from the employees. Arrived at 7:50am and they open at 8am. There was a line out the door, probably 40 people ahead of me. The employees came out and asked each person what they needed and that sped up the process. Once they let us in, we were given a number and things went smoothly and quickly. I waited for only 30 minutes and did not have an appointment. Oh, they pulled people who had appointments out of the line and helped them first. read more

The only good thing I can say about the DMV is that the employees can be friendly at the appointment line and help you out in the process. This does not outweigh the multiple negatives- 1 parking. Yes, this has become a huge recent issue for me in this area. Luckily I know the tricks to finding parking at this location. Took a few trips though. 2 lines. There are lines and waiting for everything here. I'm excited to say their appointment options can save you hours, although they've been shown to be equally ineffective as well. Do yourself a favor and get an appointment online before coming here. 3 confusing policies. I re-registered the vehicle I purchased and used in CA back in 2009 when I moved back from WA. It was out of the state for 2 years. I had to do a smog, verification and host of extra things to get it registered. Really? 4 garnished taxes for poor accounting. I sent my vehicle home to Ohio during deployment and ended up transferring ownership to my sister in Ohio. She had a title in her name yet CA continued to charge me! Grrr... 5 overcharging customers. Why should I pay full price for a registration that expires in 3 months? How does this make any sense? Why can't it be prorated if you have a set date for moving a vehicle out of non operational status. Basically if you buy a vehicle before Dec 22 of the year and it was non operational you pay a full years registration! Even if you do it the day before. Poor taste DMV - poor taste. read more

Very efficient location was packed and still was out in 30 minutes. Very polite and patient! Also did not smell bad!! read more

DMV - Departments of Motor Vehicles Near Me - San Diego, California

Very organized and friendly staff! A much better experience than I've ever had before at a DMV office. Very short wait times which was refreshingly shocking. read more

My advice on minimizing your time in hell, aka the CA DMV: - Quadruple-check every single document you get from them or you will spend hours BACK at the DMV waiting while they correct their mistakes. - Make sure that the people typing in your information are paying attention. Mine were not. - Make an appointment. If you do not do this you will find yourself waiting in line for hours on hours. - If they try to screw you around go near window 1 and wait to speak with a manager. Truly the worst place I've been in San Diego. They've proven themselves incompetent at basic data entry. Because of their mistake I had to go back and go through the entire CA DL procedure all over again. Several of my workday hours have been wasted here, even with appointments. What error happened? I am a male (who looks like a male) -- all my drivers licenses, passports, and genitals confirm this fact. These people managed to enter that I was a female and it's what was printed on the CA license that was mailed to me. Some of the dumbest people you will ever meet work here. Stay vigilant and good luck. read more

DMV - The staff here is incompetent, even at basic data entry. Look at "SEX".... Pathetic! - Departments of Motor Vehicles Near Me - San Diego, California

I'm giving the Normal St DMV 3 stars (A-OK), because it's the DMV and I really think my experience was some kind of fluke. The appointment I made almost 2 months in advance was on my actual birthday. Wonderful, I get to spend my birthday at the frickin' DMV. My appointment was for 2:15 pm, got there at 2:00pm and was pointed in the right direction my the nice man at the door. The place is packed, standing room only and nothing is happening with the numbers. Then around 2:20 p.m. they start calling the numbers one after another. F70 go to Window 7. Pay, thumb print, picture and gone, in 30 minutes! Unheard of, I'm flabbergasted, last time i had to renew my license I was at the DMV 4 hours. I haul ass out the door. read more

staff was friendly but they are super slow as usual. over complicated a simple transfer of ownership for me but eventually got it done. go in right before closing and they hurry it up. read more

I contemplated even writing this review because nothing will be done about it, but I wanted to inform everyone to avoid this dmv. First of all, there is NO organization/signage whatsoever so you are forced to find your own way around the place, aggravating the employees. Second of all, there was a man half naked inside the building screaming curse words for the entire duration I was there. But my real frustration comes from the customer service. Almost every person I spoke with during my visit was rude and short with me, even though I had an appointment, did my application online beforehand, and showed up with all the correct documents. The lady working the camera snapped at an old man who was simply asking her a question, saying "Can you read?!". Lastly, I am still not sure if I got a real ID or not since no one would tell me, I guess we'll find out in a couple days! Avoid this dmv at all costs... the employees are grouchy and bitter that they have to work at this trash hole. read more

Fan of the DMV because of the way I was able to get an appointment. I lost my license and needed to get to the DMV asap because I drove for work. The online appointments said I'd have to wait over 3 weeks. I googled and found out about the site YoGov (on Quora perhaps?) where you can find last-minute DMV appointments. Highly highly worth it. I found an appointment 2 days later at the Clairemont location. If you value your time and want a relatively painless DMV experience, check the site www.yogov.org/dmv I showed up at 8:45am and got in a separate appointments line. I had my forms and got to talk with someone within 10 minutes I'd say. The line was 40 people deep in the 'other' line :) read more

This was my daughters first time at the DMV and as you can imagine she was nervous. LISA made it even worse by barking and speaking to my daughter in a curt manner. She was extremely rude, disrespectful, racist, and offensive and when I asked to speak with a supervisor she asked me why. Once I explained it was regarding her, she was dismissive and ignored me. She is unnecessarily RUDE and I do not appreciate the lack of respect and humiliation. My daughter who is 15 1/2 was in an positive mood for this exam but once she encountered LISA she had doubts on passing the exam. My daughter felt because of MY religious attire we were stereotyped and treated unfairly. Thankfully my daughter passed but I will not go back to this DMV. I am a United States Citizen and a Gulf War Veteran and my religion has nothing to do with being treated with respect and common courtesy. read more

Ok yes please make an appointment. I got here and some lady outside asked to use my cell phone then asked others for money. This place can be scary and even New York Ghetto. My advice: go to the one in Clairemont or Chula Vista. read more

DMV - Just sitting here. - Departments of Motor Vehicles Near Me - San Diego, California

This is my second day at this DMV because the information regarding the documents I needed to produce was miscommunicated, even when I reconfirmed. Despite that, the first day everyone was extremely nice and efficient. I got a smog test on my car and filled out all the paperwork with ease. I was in and out in under two hours. This second time, however, they seem to be moving at a much slower pace. I've been here for over an hour and barely got a number a few minutes ago. The way this is going, it appears I will surely be here for at least another hour, maybe more. My advice would be to get here before they open and stand in line. The line is typically wrapped around the building, so there will be a bit of a wait regardless of when you get here. Bring a book, an iPod or something to keep you occupied. Also, it is standing room only in here, so watch for seats and just grab them when you can. Or just wait outside, because they announce the numbers so you can here them outside. read more

It's a mad house with lots of grumpy, frowny people both "customers" and employees. With the exception of the camera lady who had a smile and a bit of warmth. I would give her 5 stars. They are overloaded due to the El Cajon DMV being closed until November or something. Ends up they can't help me with my main reason for even stepping foot in an office. Next in line! Oh well.. read more

Worst place on earth. I cannot believe California cares so little about its residents as to have such high levels of disorganization in a place everyone needs. We live in an era of technology but they only utilize a minuscule amount while creating unnecessary waits and confusion for their clients. The governor should be ashamed of himself for not fixing this! read more

Just talked to Kim, who started off pretty nice but when I asked to verify my tags were being sent, as they had not been by their mistake, she turned completely rude and said "that's what I told you I'd do". Ok, but this was already supposed to be done, so I wasted 35 minutes of my day and life on the DMV not doing their job so I feel the need to double check. Sheesh! read more

This is one of the worst places Me and my girl has ever been . Two rude employee verbal attacked me and my girl. One tap on my car window with her clipboard and the other was just unwilling to help me with my questions. I will never be back here first time getting my license was my worst experience of my whole life. read more

If possible, avoid this location as most of the workers have no understanding of manners or how to properly communicate with PAYING customers. Unprofessional at best. Trash. read more

Yes, four stars, but a contextual four stars. The DMV is crowded with long lines, this is a given. With workers on furlough (READ: pay cut) and the office closing down on some days they used to be open during the month, this means longer lines. The way I see it, it's part and parcel of most DMVs I've ever been to. That said, I have never met friendlier or more helpful employees at a DMV. It's a thankless job at best, and now their salaries have been cut; who would blame them for being snarky? But on my recent trip to get my CA license, all four of the employees I encountered were pleasant, friendly and efficient. Kudos to the DMV employees. read more

Went for a license renewal one week exactly ! So I came back to write a review lol. I went SUPER LATE .when everyone is tired and ready to go home ! I was in and out with no appointment on a Monday! Go in at 4:30 lol they wanna get rid of you so everything moves quickly ...& Everyone already woke up and handled business soooo yea. read more

4 attempts to do real ID and out of state car registration. Beware of CA DMV. Even though I checked my document list online and it was fine, the system didn't recognize my passport card and I had to go back home to get naturalization certificate. Make sure you have verification of address. Needs to be original no copies. Utility bill or bank statement or cellphone bill will work. Bring more than you need or you'll make multiple trip home, even though DMV worker checked my papers prior to giving me the number. read more

I've lived in England for the last 30 years, and recently moved back to the US, so had to change my driver's licence from my hometown back East to my new address in SD. For the most part, though the place is frenetic, I had a great experience. I was in an out in around an hour without an appointment from around 2:30pm on a Thursday. The "greeter" was slightly brusque and matter-of-fact but efficient, friendly and helpful. The person who helped me at the counter was really kind and we talked about how he loved working at DMV because he got to meet and help so many different people. The last person, the photographer, however, was extremely rude. It was ironic too because she was wearing a pink sweatshirt with a "peace" sign. In England you don't move forward in line until they call you, and so I waited until after the last person being photographed left and the photographer was ready and waved me forward. When I got up to her I was subjected to an invective about what an imbecile I was because I didn't know that I was supposed to move forward when the last person left. I was really shocked at how unnecessary and aggressive she was for no particular reason. Maybe she was having a bad day but to be treated with such contempt made me wonder what she had been saying to other customers. Anyway, after she got her rant out of her system she was pretty efficient and sent me on my way in around 5 minutes total. But that marred an otherwise good experience at the DMV. read more

Okay so when I come to the DMV I certainly don't expect much because let's be real. This place isn't Disneyland. I just had to get a name change on my license. Okay, I get it. I didn't mind the other rude employees I encountered because let's face it they're probably miserable and I just feel bad for them. But then I got the unfortunate timing of meeting the worst of them all, Lisa. Yes Lisa, I found your name on another Yelp review with your photo attached. LOL. Look, honey, I know your life probably wasn't what you wanted it to be and that's fine to be unhappy about it. But seriously grow up. If you're that miserable make a change in yourself. I've never in my life encountered an employee that made me so UNCOMFORTABLE. She was complaining about how she "feels like a damn information desk at the Hilton Hotel". While she was too busy to give proper instructions as to what I need to do get through this process, she decided it would be more productive to chat with another staff member complaining about other patrons. Let me tell you this lady cusses like a sailor. She was saying stuff about how she wishes someone would have "sat the f*ck down and wait for her number". The whole time I am going through the process with her she was just sporadic and pissed off. It was honestly a laughable moment. She probably heard me laughing too. While I'm turning around to leave instead of giving clear instructions as to how she would like you to leave the line, she will just yell at you. Someone call the military cause she would be a kick ass boot camp instructor with all of her yelling cussing and insults! How awkward is it to smile for a DL photo while being infuriated. I mean is it a job requirement to be a horrendous human being while working at the DMV? Maybe a different DMV will not treat you like dog shit. EDIT: forgot to mention LISA had the audacity to try and put my paperwork back into my purse for me, meaning she is trying to open my purse! I stood there in shock! What is happening to this world! read more

Im sure working at the DMV isn't all rainbows and butterflies. but do the ladies checking you in have to be so rude/ racist. I've been in here a lot and seen the way they talk to people who's English is not excellent. If you don't like your job get a new one. Clearly you've all lost your sense of common curtesy. read more

I transferred liability of a car online back in February 2020 & in August 2020 I started to receive notifications from DMV that the vehicle registration has been suspended since 9/21/2020 & they want $14.00. The letter also states that they don't have a record of insurance coverage. So when I called the 1800 number for DMV they said they see that the lability form was filled out in February 2020 But yet they continue to harass me for money!! I don't know how they can see that I filled out the form back in February 2020 and continue to harass me and tell me that the registration has been suspended yet you see I transferred the title 8 months ago in February. Unfortunately somebody got in an accident with the car but yet they know I don't have the car. I hope they can figure out who had the car when the accident occurred because now they've got a bigger problem than they could ever imagine and I'm safe because I filled out the form online I did my job I did my part and the DMV neglected complete negligence to do their job!!! DMV has got to be the most unorganized Government run agency that I've ever seen in my life. I called the number for registration and I waited for 2 hours & 40 minutes and she hung up on me not able to help me at all!! I think it's absolutely insane that they get paid to know nothing and treat people like complete dirt!! The DMV has NO customer service at all!!!! Doing anything online is a big big mistake because it's never going to turn out right, I've tried 3 time times since COVID came into play & it's been a complete disaster!!!! read more

I went to get a new driver's license since I'm from out of state. When I arrived I saw a long line outside. Now mind you this is 1 p.m. in the afternoon during the weekday. I've never seen a line outside a DMV unless it was before they open in the morning. There was no type of direction or signs or anything with regards to process. So I asked the gay Caucasian employee who is extremely rude a question. He responds with you can ask me a question once you get in the back of the line! WTF! It took everything in me not to say anything to him. I was literally biting on my tongue, this little diva! Why would I just stand in line and not know what I'm standing in line for? That makes absolutely no sense. This idiot could have just told me what I needed. This guy works outside in the line, and from what I have heard from others is always rude and unprofessional. I saw another employee walking outside so I quickly asked her what I needed to get my driver's license in Cali. She explained exactly what I needed after I already spent an hour in line that goes nowhere. The web site does not properly address exactly what is needed, so I had to go home. I was going to go back until she said there was a three-hour wait. Hell no. I would have set up an appointment but the next one available isn't for a month out. Don't expect to get a number because they don't use them anymore apparently they use your first and last name initial and your last four of your phone number to page you. Very flawed and very inefficient. I have lived in three other states and I've never seen such ridiculousness and foolishness when it comes to a DMV. read more

Ive never seen so many people work for a place and look completely miserable. The employees are Unhelpful and Rude.

I know that coming to the DMV is a nightmare especially with the long lines and wait time. What I do NOT agree with it the rudeness of the staff here if you don't like your job theN quit I'm not forcing you to come to work everyday. So with that being said window 14 I hope you have a better day today. read more

This DMV is by far the worst, most unorganized DMV I have ever encountered in any state. I waited 2 hours outside just to get to the start and have them tell me that I should have had my car verified in the back side of the building. Went out back waited 45 minutes for someone to verify my odometer...just to miss my number and have to go back to the back of the two hour line. I asked every question in the book a few days ago when I picked up all the forms...so that this wouldn't happen. Go to Clairemont Mesa...not this location read more

Wish I could give "0" star for this branch, slowest Dmv employees in the county for sure. I went up there for Renewal DL and VR and it took around 4 hours. That's Ridiculous. read more

The one star rating is for the consensus of the masses who have had terrible and impersonal experience with the DMV staff. As for me, it was not too bad really. There's nothing anyone can do to make anything go fast for simple things like: new registration, DL, ID, driver test etc. I set up an appointment a month ago for the new REAL ID program that is going to be mandated in 2020 as one of the only form of ID accepted by TSA to board a plane. I got here 30 minutes before my appointment time. The appointment line was empty vs the non-appointment line which snaked around the building. I can't praise the man at window 16 who sees customers who have appointments for being saintly. I was apprehensive and nervous that this DMV will not allow me service for being too early for my appointment. The man let me on without any objections. He glossed over the required paperwork that I brought. By the way, before dealing with the DMV DO YOUR RESEARCH! Knowing is half the battle! Find out what papers they need for you to bring. Find out what forms of payment they accept. The DMV website does indicate in detail what forms and papers you need to bring. Start your inquiries online first. It will save you alot of heartache and avoid having to come back another day because they refuse to continue service due to lack of required documentation. I'm sorry for those who have had the unluckiest time even if they have all their ducks in a row. Generally, come in well-informed and prepared. The only thing that surprised me regarding the documentation that I brought is my W-2 is not technically accepted even though it is on the checklist of accepted forms of SSN. The man at window 16 advised me that it has to be an original. Original meaning the W-2 has to come from the company's mail directly. I told him I opted for paperless and my only copy is a printed form. This is what I didn't understand. How much more original do you want the form to be other than it was produced by the company in an electronic format so as to be printed conveniently when needed. The man was sympathetic with me but he was just going by the rules. Maybe he's just misinformed due to lack of proper training in identifying what is accepted documents or not. The lady in window 10 who is the most important one to work with as she is the one who processes your DL. She accepted my W-2 and made no complaints of its authenticity. So my DMV time was 20 minutes. In and out! God help the others who are still standing in line. By the time I left, it was 10 minutes to my actual appointment time. But my business with the DMV was complete. Had time to get coffee at Better Buzz to celebrate a productive time at the DMV. read more

The photo lady was very unprofessional. Too bad I didn't get her name. I was literally the 3rd person of the day. She already gave us attitude. My photo ID came in and it was a really bad photo, can't believe she approved it. I'm sure she made lots of people return for a new photo which wastes everyone ones time. I hope she gets fired or quit because she must hate her job. read more

Why do we have to waste a half a day to get service? Even though the workers are nice and they are doing their best ! They have to improve the system.. read more

If you value your time and sanity, make an appointment. Evidently they changed their system for calling people so they can't tell you how long it will be or where you are in the queue. They say it averages 1-1 1/2 hours. BS. I've been here two hours and have yet to called. They have few seats and will run you outside to wait. The speaker volume is low and if you miss your number you go to the back of the line. Hate this place. read more

TERRIBLE I created a Yelp account just to share my awful experience. I have made appointments at this DMV to take a behind the wheel driving test, and twice my appointments have been lost in their archaic computer system. Today, I was finally able to confirm my appointment with them, but when I began to take my test, one of the break lights on my car was out. I understand that I am unable to take the test without a break light, but the woman administering the test was completely incompetent and rude. After telling me that my break light would need to be repaired, she told me that I would have to reschedule the test, threw the test form through the window at me, and walked away, leaving me at the head of the line of cars waiting to take their behind the wheel test, unable to move the car because the licensed driver who accompanied me had been told to wait somewhere away from the parking lot. This left me and the people behind me in an unsafe and uncomfortable position. If this woman had spent 20 more seconds near my car before walking away, she would have been able to make sure that I could pull into the parking lot ahead and give room to the cars behind me. She could have helped me schedule an appointment, or at least provided me with more information. Everyone else who I interacted with inside the department was friendly and helpful, despite it being crowded. This one woman, however, completely ruined my experience, and my day. read more