11/10/2025 Don't let DMV Merced talk you out of paying $43…read morefee to RETAIN personalized license plates. Make clear you are not REASSIGN. In my case, 2010 Toyota Prius lost Brake Booster / Accumulator and selling to hybrid dismantler. I have no car. I would likely not be able to sale Prius without first filing to retain plates.

Unhelpful security guard, asked a simple question but extremely unhelpful, and wasted me a bunch of…read moretime to wait in the line just to be told to fill out application on the computer while a simple correct answer could have prevented that.

Maria and Dorothy were the best. Maria helped me to get in at my appointment time. She really was…read morenice to me. Dorothy was so kind to my mom when she was getting her license renewed. She explained everything in precise detail of what we had to do to get her vision checked by the doctor since mom did not pass the eye exam. Turlock DMV has been nice every time to me and my family

This place is awful…read more Canceling my test because the passenger seat recliner didn't work is absolutely ridiculous

12-22-2025 Most dysfunctional organization ever. DMV Merced…read moreand in Sacto claim I no longer own my vehicle and I cannot submit Affidavit of Non Use! Recall Newsom.

The guy at the front check in counter was very rude, and was helping people who didn't have…read moreappointments that didn't wait in the long line, without making them wait. Waited for 2 hours while he was super slow.

Staff could be friendlier/kind to the people who are helping them stay employed. Kindness goes a…read morelong way.

Cindy 04 is very unprofessional. I was taking my written test and there was some people talking…read morenext to me and Cindy 04 accused me of cheating on my test and caused a sense in front of everyone I was very embarrassed because I wasn't talking to nobody nor looking at anyone. She could of been professional and pulled me to the side and let me know what the issue is, instead she caused a sense with the tone of her voice in the middle of everyone as well as demanding my information when I was being very professional due to me being very confused on the situation. I asked if there was anyway I could take the test in front of them or have them watch me take it or even see the cameras due to me being accused of cheating on the test. Very unprofessional.

I time myself when I went to the DMV. Took an hour to get seen. Got in at 1pm and was out by no…read morelater than 2:15pm. Went in for real ID name change and picture taken . I had no appointment. But prior to going in I did the application online at home and took all my documentations just in case. Make sure yall are prepare before going in and do ur research to make it go smoothly. Before coming in check in on ur phone to get ur waiting number . Next to the entrance they have a scan code so u can check in. Not bad experience just be patient w the ladies they are older people working there

I made an appointment online and did all necessary paperwork before said appointment. My number was…read morecalled ,Clerk named Sharon was fast and highly knowledgeable about the new Read ID Federal Card . I ended up getting a new photo and was out of there in 15 min and minus $45 fee . Do the paperwork first online folks ,They verify it /Stamp Copies / Phone in no time

We went in to the DMV to obtain Information on printing a duplicate permit. The DMV Clerk was named…read moreJettie. She was professional and very helpful.

Upon our July 8 visit to the Sonora DMV, my husband and I received very…read more courteous and informative assistance in getting my license renewed. Thank you to: Davinder #13 and Stephen #06

I can't believe I'm actually leaving a 5 star review for the DMV! As others have said, make an…read moreappointment, and do virtual check in. I literally renewed my drivers license and I was in and out in under 10 minutes. The absolutely most efficient appointment I've ever had at a DMV. Also all the staff I encountered were very friendly and I can honestly say I experienced great customer service. Make an appointment, check in online, and you'll have a great visit. Unfortunately I forgot to get the name of the long haired gentleman who helped me, but he was great!

10am appointment, 1 hr later still 20 numbers from being called up. What's the point of having an…read moreappointment? And not having someone working the front desk is crazy!

Personally I had an excellent customer service experience at the DMV. I got there read the clearly…read morelabeled board to scan and sign in and wait for the number to be called. I verified with the security officer Gilbert was calm, professional and gave clear confirmation of the process. It was a tad confusing because I was applying for a minor to have a real id and the online document center wouldn't allow me to submit the forms required for whatever reason. Gilbert kindly assisted me so I could verify properly prepared once I got to the window for service. The system was easy to understand. You are texted a number, the number shows up on a screen in the DMV when you are called and it is called overhead. Viewing the text allows you to see your place in line correspond to the letter being called. There are multiple windows serving corresponding letters. At the service counter our transaction was fast because the application had been completed and submitted online. I handed over the appropriate documentation that I knew I needed including birth certificate, social security, two letters showing proof of address for the minor, and my drivers license to sign the forms required at the DMV. The gentleman serving us was also professional l, quick and to the point. He quickly verified and scanned all info, her fees were paid and she took her picture walking out with a paper copy in hand, being told to track it and how and when the id should arrive! My only complaint which is NOT customer service related is about the restroom. I was sitting approximately 30 feet from the restroom, every time the door opened a horrific smell filled the lobby. The smell was beyond restroom smell.. this was like maybe a city issue under with sewage pipes. I can't pretend to know what it was, I just know it made my stomach upset each time.

Usually the Madera DMV is more reasonable than the other local offices, today however they lived up…read moreto the negative images people share.The lady@the "Information" desk only wanted to ask people if they had a number then either tell them to scan the QR code & go sit, or go sit & wait until the number is called. She did not show a helpful attitude or seem to want to do more than tell people to go sit & wait with no questions! It was difficult getting her to even answer 2 or 3 short questions that would save the staff or myself all that wait time by addressing the couple of clarifying questions I had(the website did not have the info which is why I took the time to come in). Please Treat people like you'd like to be treated! Fresno AAA dmv services was friendly, fast, & helpful-they acted like they were happy for my business , imagine that!!

This very morning, I decided to turn in (surrender in DMV terms) a license plate I had from an old…read morecar I sold back in 1997. Here's the story as I printed it out and attached it to the plate: I am surrendering this license plate. The vehicle associated with this plate was sold several decades ago. At the time of the sale, the dealer indicated that I would receive the other plate, but that never happened. As a result, I have retained this single plate ever since. I am surrendering it now so that it can be properly removed from my possession/record. I included my name and contact information. First, I learned that I can't just hand the plate with documentation to someone and be done with it. First a sympathetic security guard saw my cane and put me at the front of a line I didn't plan to be in to begin with (no good deed goes unpunished). I was called up almost immediately, where a thoroughly disinterested clerk listened to my story, glanced at my narrative, ripped it off, and tossed it in her trash can. She then curtly told me I had to fill out a form, pushed a clipboard with my plate and form along with a pen and a number, and went about her business. I looked around and saw the handicapped chairs and grabbed one and sat down for the wait (I do give the DMV props, as the numbers do move fast). After a few minutes, I was called and went to the window where another seemingly disinterested clerk asked me what I needed to do. So, I repeated the story that the other clerk had tossed in the trash. She looked at me as though I were speaking Chinese (I wasn't). She then asked me if the plate had been on another car (I began again and said it had been in a garage for decades). She went to have her supervisor explain what I was talking about--probably--and get the definition for "decades" so she could close my case. She returned and asked me to check the appropriate box on the form for type of plate. I explained again that I didn't see how any of the ones applied. She wouldn't give me a hint until I said, "I don't see well," at which point she highlighted the "environmental plate" box (who knew?). DMV speaks their own language, it seems. Apparently back in the last millennium, a personalized plate was called an "environmental" one. Hardly, as the vehicle I had it on smoked terribly. Finally, I was done. No good deed goes unpunished. I rated the experience a 3 out of 5, which is half a star higher than they had before this review.

I'm turning 45 next week! With this special day coming up, I received such a beautiful letter from…read morethe DMV saying I needed to come in for an eye exam and a renewal of my drivers license. LOL and because I also procrastinated in getting my Real ID I had to bring all those documents in with me. I so dreaded this pending experience! Since I had to go into the branch, I also decide to get my teen an ID for easier travel via plane in the future. We waited outside for about 30 minutes before the office opened and once we entered we were welcomed and helped by the loveliest two DMV personnel on Earth! Thank you Heather and Kristy for helping my daughter and I. You two made our experience so pleasant and smooth! You truly made what we thought was going to be a dreadful time, a really fun time! Who knew?! California, give these ladies a raise! Many many thanks!