EASTSIDE AUTO LICENSING @ KIRKLAND…read more Parking is available right out front, and it doesn't get too packed, so you'll be able to find a spot pretty easily. My dad and I came around 10:30 AM, and since the line didn't look too long, we assumed we'd be helped pretty quickly. To check in, there's only one entrance and two screens where you put your name and phone number, then sit and wait. They also have a TV that shows your estimated wait time. My dad's estimate was about nine minutes, but 15 minutes went by and we noticed some of the staff just standing around or going into the break room without returning for a while. The place suddenly got very busy, and there were only two workers handling everyone. Once it was finally our turn, the guy who helped us was nice, but he took a long time assisting other people, which slowed everything down even more. Overall, I'd recommend coming really early in the morning or going to a different location if you have the option. My dad didn't enjoy his experience, the workers weren't very kind, and the service was extremely slow. The ticket for renewing your car license was about $238!

Awesome service and efficient process here! I was tired of going to the Bel-Red Auto License in the…read morecrossroads mall as it's always a slow process and they are extremely rude for no reason and reading reviews they are closed a lot during open business hours so I wasn't wasting my time or gas with that hassle. Eastside Auto Licensing is easy to get to off the freeway with a free large parking lot offering even a drive thru pick up window if you renewed tabs online! Upon entering a large sign directs you to the two computers for check in process putting you in line or checking into your appointment. You enter name, phone number, and the reason for your visit. I got there an hour after opening on a Monday and it was empty. I waited 2 minutes in the comfy seating admiring the clean and well organized lobby. My name and phone number was called out on a speaker directing me to a desk with available employee. Elijah helped me and was quick, kind, helpful, clear, and well spoken. I appreciated getting my tabs in less than 5 minutes and receiving tips on tab application process. :) I highly recommend Eastside Auto Licensing and would most definitely return here!

I believe in all of the negative reviews, and I'm sure I've had negative experiences here in the…read morepast, but I do want to call out a 5 star experience this morning, involving a case where my renewal was charged to my credit card ages ago, but the tab and renewal registration was lost in the mail. Again. I was in and out of there in record time despite the waiting area being packed. Nice job.

Since covid this location has been BAD... always the excuses of short staff, or just close without…read morenotices.

Welp, I easily placed an order online for my expired tabs. Yes the tabs are ridiculously expensive,…read morewith excessive added fees but that's not in their control. I ran through the door ten minutes before closing and was greeted within 5 minutes. The tabs were ready and off I went. There's plenty of parking and I was shocked there wasn't a line through the door. Lucky me and you for having this license office in the neighborhood.

Outstanding. Just walked in on a Wednesday morning at 11 AM. Plenty of parking. No line I was…read moreliterally called to a window by one of the three staff as soon as I walked in. Alicia was professional and no nonsense. It took her less than three minutes to process my tags and I left with them in hand out the door in five minutes. Incredible. At the rate they processed customers even if there were a line it wouldn't have taken very long. Just saying this is the kind of experience you want to have all day every day. Thank you for having such a competent staff. PS this is a family owned business. For 57 years. Amazing value for the time.

Just got back from spending about 30 minutes here. Had to get multiple vehicles transferred over…read moreand Annie really was patient, organized, and took great care to make sure I was up to speed with all of the forms and requirements for transferring different types of vehicles. Awesome experience, and thanks again Annie! Beware, it's all paid parking (even their tiny lot) with the exception of a handful of 30 minute stalls available to customers of Ballard Square (which this office is party to).

I got here about 20 minutes to closing, so probably not a surprise there was a long line. All but…read moreone window open, which is good, but only one worker able to turn over customers. The other slots all with the same person being helped until my turn came up. I waited around 15 minutes and hoped I would get my tabs before they closed for the day. Then a few windows opened up, all at the same time. The customers that had been getting helped for 20 minutes or more got processed. My turn at last! But when I walked up, the worker at the window helping me decides to yell out "anyone else here just for tabs? I can do both of you at once. It will be quick!" So she can help the woman who got in line after me, and I get to have a stranger standing 1 inch from me. I have no idea why. There were several windows now open, and only 1 in line behind me. While I had to remove all the credit cards from my wallet to get the drivers license out. I hope she didn't grab one, she was certainly close enough to. Leaning over the top of me because I had been standing in front of the window. From there - the employee ordered me to sign the registration - I need to do that to get the tabs? Never happened before - I've always just signed at home. She saw me hesitate and then asks me "Don't you know where to sign?" Yes, I know. I am just baffled as to why I need to do this now. She did not miss one chance to offer a snide reply to me, yet just handed the form to the person she had come up to join me in line. Did not order her to sign the registration. Offered nothing rude, just smiled and gave her her tabs. In hindsight I should have just told this worker I would wait for the next window. Perhaps she doesn't like people who are not Caucasian? I don't know what else could have generated this odd & negative response from her. I've never had a complaint about this licensing office before - but after this I'm sure any other place offering tabs would be just as good and more than likely better.

Highly recommended testing center…read more Today, I had my warm up session followed up by driving test. The whole experience was very smooth and informative too. The instructor gave me exact pointers where I need to work more. In the past, I had a pathetic experience in one of the other driving licensing center. Therefore, I was having very low expectations but the whole session definitely surprised me in a good way.

The zoom link for classes rarely worked properly, always routing my son to register again. The time…read morespent to try to access the class was incredible frustrating each day. They are very strict on the start time (which I appreciate), but that means links need to work properly. Also, my son was sick, very sick, and we had to pay $89 cancellation fee for his driving lesson. Again, I know there are policies, but when a child is sick there is no grace or compassion. This is all business. I do not recommend this company for the above two reasons. I amount of time I had to take off work to email with issues about accessing the court, or micromanage the course itself is ridiculous. For $800+ accessing zoom should be simple, recording attendance should be easy and if a child is sick, there should be one reschedule that is allowed. I genuinely don't leave bad reviews unless I truly feel as though the service was not acceptable and in this case, I feel this deeply. My drivers ed experience was amazing as a kid. It was empowering and exciting. My kid has had nothing but frustration since enrolling. 0 stars.

Always friendly and helpful. Can ask questions and don't feel like I'm bothering them when needing…read morehelp.

Busy but had a great customer rep by the name of Rena! Super pleasant, laughed at ny lame jokes…read moreand took my lost title and sale business like a total pro! Thanks, Rena! - Joe A.

Very nice and professional staff I got In and out Quickly because I didn't have a long timeread more

I have lived in many states, and have had negative experiences with privatized tag agencies…read moreelsewhere. I was relieved to find this process straightforward and relatively painless. The process here seemed quite effecient. (it is odd that in Washington, the actual state DMV offices do driver licenses, but you have to go to private tag agencies for tags...or tabs...whatever we call them here) Everyone here was friendly. The line was out the door in the a.m. on a Sat., but it moved along pretty quickly. Please do everyone a favor and do as much research as you can before showing up. And just be cool while you wait. Bring your best energy. We're all in this together, people. No joke, there was a guy ahead of me who was selling like 2 boats and a motorcycle the next day ( a Sunday) and he couldn't find the titles...and he was making it their problem. Seriously, dude? Eariler in the week, I called ahead to get an estimate on what I needed to pay. I did as much research online as I could also. A real person answered the phone and gave me a pretty high number. They quoted a vehicle with a higher trim level than mine, just to be on the safe side. If I recall, I kinda got a little prickly on the phone because Washington taxes you on the value of your vehicle (excise tax), even though you paid for it already a long time ago. What the hell? it's basically as sales tax you pay over and over again. Doesn't matter what you call it. Even though I was noticeably irritated, the person at Rainier was cool about it and didn't push back, which is the usual response in any other context. I brought cash, which seems to be the way to go. I've heard there is an extra charge for credit cards ( but don't know that for a fact). I ended up paying less than what they estimated earlier. in conclusion, do the research, call ahead if you have questions, go on Sat. a.m., and chillax while you wait. The kind and professional folks at Rainier Vehicle and Vessel Licensing will take care of you. Just remember...it could be much, much worse.

They charged me $16 for a replacement tab because the first one they gave was defective and…read morewouldn't stick to the license plate. They said they would have replaced it for free if I had come in the same day but my husband and I both work full time so getting the time to get into their office and wait in line for who knows how long is extremely difficult. It didn't change the date of my registration or cost any more than if I had been able to come in the same day to replace but they still had to find some way to rip me off just because they can. Absolutely disgusting and goes to exactly why so many people despise certain government agencies.

OVERALL: 9.67/10 (Yelp converted score: 5/5). This place is a shining example of great, courteous,…read moreand efficient customer service. I'll definitely be back in the future for my licensing needs. After getting turned away at another location (shall be left unnamed), we were trying to get plates for a car transferred to WA from California (2010 Lexus IS250). 1) VALUE FOR MONEY: 9/10. The unfortunate part is that the payment terminal charges $2.25 per transaction (3% of the tx for $75.01+ on credit cards), so I'd recommend using a debit card (flat $2.25). In total, the title registration and plates cost $198 (before the debit tx processing fee). Not bad! 2) QUALITY: 10/10. The staff promptly acknowledged us, and worked efficiently on our case with no hassles or interruptions. The clerk made sure the phone number on record was correct (repeating it back to us) and ensured we understood the expectations (signing, dating the right locations, verifying info, etc) as outlined by the documents. We received our plates immediately after paying the title registration fees! 3) SERVICE: 10/10. We were in and out within 15 minutes - even with waiting for less than 5 minutes outside (there's a max of 6 people in the lobby). We came in to get plates for my partner's car, after she moved it up from her home city of LA, California.

Great business! Quality is good! The value is good and the price is reasonable for all users!read more

This is the kind of spot you want to go to if you have to get new plates. I like the huge spots in…read morebellevue, this has just 3-4 people in what looks like a former garage. They are very efficient and while you might have to stand out in line out side but it goes quickly. Getting there early is essential and avoid the lunch time rush as well. Also bring your checkbook as they charge $$$s for credit cards. The staff is friendly and helpful. Do as much as you can online but if you want a blast from the 1960s this is the place.

This is hands down the best auto licensing place around! Mandy has helped us tremendously with…read morestarting our local car dealership, and she continues to do so every week. Forever greatful for how helpful this place is! We will continue to do business here for as long as possible.

I've been going here for 20+ years and the ladies here are always very helpful and polite. Mandy…read moreprepared a Release of Interest for me and made it so easy. I will always continue to come back here.