I used the CA DMV online appointment scheduling system and got an appointment in less than a week. I was in and out in 30 minutes, including the time it took for me to pay my fees, take my picture, take the test, and receive my paper CA Class C Driver License. All of the staff were professional, courteous and efficient. read more

This place sucks you will be waiting for a min of 2 to 4 hours with no appt but it's the dmv we all need it and it's been like this for years as long as I could remember something has to change about these wait times no body has all day to sir around and wait to be seen for 5 min smh. Even with an appt I have waited for more then a hour past my appt time. Overall this dmv is the worst I have been to and haven't seen. A change in over 15 years read more

This is Hillcrest, you would think they would have at least two happy people. I saw one, security guard.. outside.

I can't believe the staff at front gave me incorrect information. I came back the next day with the CA DMV book to clear up the requirements. This happened more than 1 time. If they can automate the paper filing, people wouldn't have to deal with individuals lacking training. read more

Went to this location to transfer an out of state drivers license to a CA license. Be sure to make an appointment and bring all the necessary documents you need. Wait times were not bad at all since I had an appointment and I was out within a half hour! Friendly staff also gave clear instructions on what I needed to do, so this was a good experience. read more

Does anyone know how much it cost in total to get a Real ID and if I can pay with a credit card?

Made an appointment to renew my Driver's License. Sha-ron in window #20 was very patient and kind.

This DMV is so fast and efficient every time I come here. I have been in and out of there within an hour twice already which is pretty impressive considering I did not have an appointment both times. The workers are pretty friendly here as well. Best DMV on this side of SD for sure. read more

I was totally shocked to experience good service, after reading all the reviews. Here's my story: Lost wallet containing driver's license and vehicle registration. Couldn't get an appointment for 2 months. Didn't want to do a non-appointment walk-in, based on all the terrible reviews. However, also didn't want to be driving for 2 months without a license, so I decided to give it a try today, August 4th on a Saturday. I guess they just started doing Saturday at Poway, so I was hoping that possibly many people don't know that. Maybe the reason for good service was that I don't think they had scheduled appointments for that day, so everyone was a walk-in. Office opens at 8am, so I got there at 7am. There were already about 35 people in line. Within a few minutes there were about a 100 people in line. At 7:40, 20 minutes before scheduled opening, a lady came out and started organizing the people into different lines. The best situation is to complete a Form DL44 (Driver License replacement) online before coming. People that had done that got into a priority line that went in first. I moved up from position 35 to 12. At 8am, my line went into the building first. Within 10 minutes, they started calling people to come to one of the many stations. At 8:27 I was called. Lady said she would handle driver's license, but someone else would take care of vehicle registration. Finished with driver's license in 10 minutes. I asked if I have to wait in line for that, and she said she would help with that. She asked the lady at the adjacent station if she could take care of my registration, and she did. Done in another 10 minutes. What helped there is that I had completed a Form REG156 ahead of time, so she could process my application much faster. Bottom line, I got out of there at 8:45 after figuring I would be there all day. Secret of success: do your research, read the reviews, fill out forms ahead of time, have all your required documents, and get there early. I would have rated a 5 based on service, but downgraded to a 4 because total time of 1 hour 45 minutes seems long for just a simple replacement of documents that they already have a record of. But I was ecstatic after reading about people that had waited 5, 6 hours or more. read more

I went down here with my parents and it was a very hot day...when we went in it was like bad videos all over...the customers were cool but the staff was horrible...they all had attitude except this chubby dude with a balding head...he was the best person in there and he made us feel welcome.the security guard was a African American woman and she was ANNOYING...she complained about everything you did...I was sitting in a handicap chair and that security lady told me to move because I am not disabled...and there were not any other seats available and there were no handicap people...I was willing to give up my seat to an old person of needed. Even after I moved she complained that I was standing in front of the glass door which nobody was even using...then she just kept complaining and it was annoying...DO NOT GO HERE BECAUSE IT HAS HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!!!and the wait is at least 3.5 hours read more

Rude lady at window 12 on 2/27, I had to write a check since I didn't have my debit card with me, she then berates me that using the card is so much easier. Easier for who? I wasted 2 mili seconds of your time writing a check?? Don't ever tell a customer how to pay, if I did that when I worked at Sears I would have gotten fired. Yes I know it's after 5 and you're in a hurry to leave but you treat the last customer like the first one of the day. Definitely needs some service training. No one wants to be there rude lady so just do your job without the lecture. read more

Very poor Service! Outdated material remains posted. Long lines and snail service. Plan to wait at least 3 hours when using this location. Not sure WHY one cannot get a replacement drivers license online. Really Hate this @#$%^ place!!!! read more

My experience here was every bit as bad as one would expect from the DMV. The line was long and once I got a number it took almost an hour for it to finally be called. I understand that this is not necessarily the fault of the employees, but they weren't very nice either. But hey, what would you expect from the DMV? read more

Best Experience ever!!!!! Made an appt at 7am for a 940 time........got there around 930....waited to get my number....waited about 15 minutes to be called up......did my eye test, took a picture....was out in 30 minutes or less!!!!!!! Always make an appt...so you skip the lines!!!! read more

I wanted the phone number of a specific DMV site. It is in Hillcrest in San Diego and I know how to get there but do not know if they are open today. I could not get their phone number on line to see if they were open. I'm frustrated that this simple service is not provided for on line. It's quite a drive to this site and I guess I will have to resort to paying to get their phone number. Respond if you do provide phone numbers and I did not know how to access this information. susanna100@cox.net read more

I know everyone hates the DMV but I was pleasantly surprised on this visit. Yes, the wait was long (bring a good book) but the customer service was great. Pearl and Danny helped me and they were kind, efficient, and very helpful. read more

DMV gets a bad reputation for overcrowding, long lines, slow and sometimes hostile service, and a complete lack of sense of decent interior design. Well, this place surely fits all that so it's hard to give DMV a break! I've passed by this location several times before 8:00 a.m. and have seen a nearly fully packed parking lot with a line stretched out the door as if they were giving away free TV's. I've come here on several occasions to get work done and it's always been hit or miss. Sometimes the employees are helpful and do what they can to get you in and out and other times you'll be treated like a notch on a belt that'll be tossed in a closet never to be used again. Lets face it, there's a reason DMV hasn't made it on a "best places" list but as far as locations go, this one is not all that bad considering the area. If you have to come, then do with pride and an attitude to get out there as if the place is going to collapse any second. Overall, we all must deal with DMV living in California and this location is much like all others. No way around it. read more

Very rude people that work there. My son and i waited in line for 2 hours for some people to come out with there clip boards then asking what i was there for. I tell them that im trying to get my son a replacement id because they wont do it on line it states on the web site that you must come into dmv office and im trying to get him back home to his kids in alaska they told me to make appointment but there not taking new appointments. Very frustrating, why do they let you wait in line all that time and then tell you no they cant take care of it i thought that is why they are open to handle the things that cant be done on line. When i got home i called and the guy tells me he don't know why they are telling people to make an appointment because there not taking any new appointments and the web site also says no new appointments. So why are they open? I wasn't the only one that was treated so rude. read more

The security guard yelled at me about my water bottle before I walked in. I'm 6 months pregnant and wanted my water while I waited outside. My plan was to get a number and then put bottle in my car before I go in. I get to the front of the line (not inside) and she yelled at me again about my water even though I had no intention of going inside with it. I put the water in my car then go inside and can't find a seat. I start filling out the paperwork that's needed by the restroom area. An employee yells at me and tells me I can't be in that area. I explain to her how I can't find a seat, I need to fill out the paperwork and my back hurts. She leads me to the handicap section and has me sit down. The first security guard that yelled at me about the water comes over to me and yells at me for sitting in the handicap section. "ARE YOU HANDICAP?!" She yells. "No but I am 6 months pregnant, can barely breath because my back went out. A employee sat me here because i couldn't find a seat" I sat quietly now that everyone is staring. "WELL YOU NEED TO FIND ANOTHER SEAT". I walked outside and I'm sitting on a dirty curb in pain. This place is great if you want to be publicly humiliated while pregnant, dehydrated and tired. read more

Had to renew my license and take the written test. I'd made an appointment via internet, so I was in, done and out in a half hour. Every staff person I interacted with was friendly and helpful, even though it was getting close to 5 PM on a Friday. The working conditions look less than pleasant, so I don't know how they remain cheerful -- but I appreciate it! read more

I have to say, even my experience during college with the DMV in Oakland was quicker and less confusing. Don't get me wrong, I didn't have the usual harrowing experience most people claim to have. But I did however get pissed that today was my day off, I checked the DMV site to find directions and the hours to the closest DMV... I was surprised to find, after arriving at the DMV 20 past 8 AM, there was already a line around the corner to get in because this particular DMV opens at 9 AM on Wednesdays. WHY DIDN'T IT SAY SO ON THE WEBSITE???? But they sort of redeemed themselves because 20 minutes before 9 AM 2 workers came out rolling a cart, going down the line of early birds, giving them the paperwork they'd need in advance, which actually did speed up the process. Once the DMV opened, I was in and out in 10 minutes. But I still give the DMV 2 stars because they should have sent me the renewal notice for my car registration. I'm pissed I had to pay $213 because of LATE FEES for their oversight. BASTARDS. read more

Made an appointment, passed the long line for people without appointments, and I was served within 10 mins of my appointment. And got yelled at because I was tying this at the counter. Don't ever change DMV! read more

I don't understand why the ladies that are checking in people are rude. Very bad customer service. The employees at this DMV doesn't know the word COURTESY. read more

As many military members and their families are stationed here you would think that they are at least familiar with our paperwork. I went to the window only to be rudely asked what is this and that I need to comeback with something else because the dependency paperwork would not do. I immediately asked to speak to the supervisor and Ms. Wilkins arrived she was very understanding and understood exactly what I needed and assisted me to get my son tested. There was a Caucasian male at the door and he was very unprofessional, needs training and a little tact. Ms. Wilkins is the epitome of what every customer service should strive to be. read more

I know everybody hates the DMV but I am giving them 5 stars because I never had to go to an office in 8 years. When I buy a car I just print out the forms and mail them to the local office. I have my title in about 10 days. NEVER MAIL ANYTHING TO SACRAMENTO. When I renew registrations and driver's license I do it at their website. very convenient. When I failed smog the DMV website let me know about the CAP program and I got $500 worth of repairs done for free to pass smog. So I never have to go to the DMV office and wait in line EVER read more

This is the worst DMV I've been to. I know that every DMV has a lot of people, but this DMV has the slowest workers that don't even smile. DMV has to have a better system in my opinion. People ask half day off so that they can return to work but when it's been more that half day THAT is frustrating!!! If you guys need any DMV services, trust me... go elsewhere even if it's a tad more far because you will get out sooner than this DMV. I asked the guy that helped me if he could write my last name correctly because the person that last helped me wrote it wrong and even after I showed him my driver license (an official document) he stills did not want to change it!! He said that that was DMV's format!!!!!!! The nerve!!! How hard is it to write on the computer?? I told him that was untrue because all my previous cars where always under my correct last name... he shrugged like he didn't care and said "you can talk to the manager around the corner in window 5" you really think I want to go to another window after waiting soooooooooo long for a simple procedure that I went in to do? What a joke!!!!! read more

I just had a wonderful experience at the Hillcrest DMV. The employees were professional, knowledgeable, efficient, and friendly. I had checked the approximate wait time on-line before going--it indicated a 12 minute no-appointment wait time, which I thought must be a mistake after hearing all the horror stories. I arrived at 10:30 AM on a Friday, and there was no wait time at all. Employees were ready to help me before I had even had enough time to fill out my paperwork! It took less than one hour for me to register an out-of-state vehicle and get a new California driver's license which included taking the written exam (I had an out-of-state license). Amazing! read more

As far as DMVs go this one is set up pretty well and is easy to navigate. With that being said I've been here twice. Both times the employees were exceptionally rude. Very short and sarcastic. I was politely trying to explain something to the front desk lady (old, long brown hair and glasses) but I couldn't get a word in edge wise. She was so worried about getting me a number to where I needed to go that she wouldn't even let me explain to make sure she was sending me to the right desk. Literally I would say 3 words...Interruption..same 3 words...interruption. I asked her politely if she would please just listen so i can explain she rolled her eyes in my face and look at me snidely and then proceeded to tell me she didn't know anything about anything that I was asking..Ummm you work here but you don't know an answer to a simple DMV question? I find that unlikely. She was very obviously lying and just kept shoving the number closer to my face. She just wanted me out of her face so she give the next person their number. Why did I make an appointment if you won't listen to a god damn word I said?!?! If I ever see that lady in public I will be punting her in the privates. AVOID THIS DMV AT ALL COSTS. If you do have to go there be sure to be extra rude because I promise they have no intention of making you feel welcome or helped. read more

Just horrible. Run down, dirty, Long lines even with appointments. Employees are not helpful and the lady by the front door is rude and unprofessional. Anybody in charge here? It's embarrassing. read more

Pretty decent for a dmv. In and out within 25 mins (with appointment). Second time in a few years and both times were pleasant. Workers don't seem like they hate you and/or their lives. But like any dmv, make an appointment! read more

the only reason it gets more than 1 star is because it was relatively fast and I came across a few good employees. The old lady with curly hair and bangs and glasses in the pictures is an absolute wrench! She's obviously miserable and her whole life must be as well because everyone that came across her was met with a disgusting and gross personality and attitude. I simply asked if I was supposed to take the plastic cover off my birth certificate which she rudely said "Well yeah? Uh we can't make a copy with the plastic on?" Like I was an imbecile. Simply a yes would've been fine. Not only that but the lady at window four looked straight at me and my friend when we had not even said a word and rudely and loudly told us "Um, there's no talking over there!" Fake and bipolar ass employees (mainly the ladies). Forgot to mention they messed up my name and the lady didn't even allow me time to make sure my information was correct, she pretty much yelled at me to move. I don't know how they allow that rude ass to work there. Most depressing place I've ever been in. read more

Very rude and unprofessional staff. Employees all seemed mad at the world. Everyone walks around with a frown on their face. The State of California should build a larger, more modern facility with all of the Mary Jane tax dollars that are now going to be at the state's disposal. But I doubt it, because California just keeps on taxing people and giving nothing back in return. read more

Coming in around noon is a horrible idea. :) Unlike me, SAVE YOURSELF, and make an appointment online for a much quicker visit! If you must walk in, come in early (7:30am) to save yourself a few hours of waiting, or consider a less busy DMV if accessible. read more

Good & very busy location. Good parking, better than most other DMV offices. Good staff that works with everyone. Good testing locations. Quick results. Good test reviewers, who are very fair. Recommend scheduling appt on-line in advance. read more

Waited for 2 hours to pick up registration they forgot to mail in the first place and am finally told their system is down and they can't do anything... can't even make me an appointment for next day. Worst service ever! read more

Slow, rude, apathetic, surly... shall I go on? These people are earning a paycheck based on the incredible amount of taxes I pay. They will be getting a good retirement. And here's the thing, I stood in line in Clairemont to be told I should go to the Hillcrest office where there was no line! My God! That lazy to send people to another office where the line is longer? Liars, too! read more

I went to their website last night to make an appointment, but for some reason it wanted me to confirm the appointment before it even gave me a time. How can I confirm something when I wasn't given enough information to decide whether it would work or not? I finally decided to just go early in the morning and take my chances waiting. I checked the website before I left and it said there was only a five-minute wait for non-appointments, and I RUSHED out of the house in order to beat the crowd. But the waiting room was full when I got there ten minutes later. I timed it -- between getting my number and hearing the number called, I waited 44 minutes, nearly nine times the wait their own website advertised. I understand it's the DMV and lines are inevitable, but if you can't keep the wait under five minutes, just don't promise it on the website. Also, the woman checking everyone in has a major attitude. I asked her which form I needed, and when she gave it to me she told me "You'll get a number when you fill it out, NOT until then." Jesus lady. But once I was called I handed over my form, took a picture, and got out incredibly quickly. Minus two stars for the wait and the attitude. read more

I love this area and this DMV, however, I came to this one to take my behind the wheel driving test, didn't wait in line at all, waited about average time for the actual driving test. Everything was going smoothly until the actual test. Roads here (given that it's near hillcrest which is a very busy/ confusing area to drive in) are so hard to drive in. Very confusing streets, lots of yields, lots of one ways, roundabouts. Along with all that, there's lots of 2 way stops that are very hard to see. I love this area just not to drive in :( read more

I have to say I am so disappointed at the customer service. Most of the customer service at this location is great. This one star is for a lady that is white, skinny, short. She is so rude and doesn't hear anythign you have to say. She thinks she is smarter than anyone that comes in that place. The administration of the dmv service have to do something about this lady. Everytime I am there she is being rude to someone. It is frastrating this is not a company you can complain and get this person fired. I feel like my taxes are being wasted paying this lady. She should not come in contact with any human being. Her attitude is the worst I witnessed. She have no sense of respect at all...Please remove this lady from the front desk... read more

At my second appointment, the computers are up. I was serviced by a female robot at window 28. Monotone and all but at least she said happy birthday at the end. Now I am waiting for my DL to arrive by mail. Let's see how it goes. read more