Yesterday I took my road test at the MVA. At first I was very nervous and trembling, however, my instructor, Hakeem Gram, truly helped to make this experience a little less nerve racking. This gave me the opportunity to perform at my best without focusing on my anxiety. Many times, the stern and mean looks on some instructors's faces, alone, can set a bad tone in the beginning of the test and throughout because it increases the driver's anxiety which impacts their ability to do well. However, Hakeem was the complete opposite. He kept a neutral expression but was very nice and explained everything so well and clearly! Without a doubt, there should definitely be more road test instructors like him. read more

This place is organized mayhem but if you have the opportunity use the self service kiosk. Saves a lot of time. I am so glad I was able to go in and out in 6 minutes. They have 3 kiosk units which will get you in and out. Most of the times the parking is adequate but does get full pretty quick. Over all I would use this MVA if I was in the area but would rather the one in Annapolis if I had to choose because its less congested. read more

I walked into the White Oak branch of MVA today to deal with two separate Vehicle Services. I was thankful I did not need Driver Services because that line was incredibly long. I was given ticket E25 and asked to take a seat. Before I could sit down my number was called. I thought that this was unheard of in an MVA office. The representative completed my paperwork in less than five minutes and I was on top of the world -- that is until I sat down and waited for my number to be called. I read all of my email while I waited and waited and waited. I had places to go so I ended up walking out after waiting one hour and ten minutes, when the finally called E-26. I ended up giving this MVA branch an average of three stars-- to recognize its stellar service on my first need, while recognizing the negative experience of the long wait on the second. But I was happy that I was not at Beltsville. I have never experienced good service there. read more

Better experience this time. I was in and out in less than one hour. Every employee that helped me was professional and polite. I would recommend this MVA before others in the area. read more

I frequent this MVA about 5 times per month for business reasons and I have to say the service here is horrible. Some employees are helpful but most are unhelpful and bitter. One manager, a middle aged Caucasian lady, is especially bitter, condescending, and unhelpful to the point where it's counterproductive. I receive inconsistent service here even though I'm well prepared and well mannered with them. I believe the rudeness here is a result of under staffing, unwillingness to let rude employees go, and operational inefficiency (bad leadership). Overall, I really hope this location changes operationally and personnel wise. The MVA/DMV stereotypes are proven to be true and it's truly sad that the employees here have to come to work every day with the same attitude, it must be truly toxic to their well being. read more

If you go on a Saturday, the place will be packed, so take a snack and expect to spend about an hour and a half there (at least). However, when I went today in the middle of a Thursday, it was smooth sailing. The staff was helpful and we were in and out. New license in hoof. Sam a Goat approves. read more

These places are typically bad but this one was pretty good. The lines were long but kept moving, and the wait was not bad. I got my plates replaced and they even reinserted my ticket number for the other queue for my drivers license. I thought I had to get back in line to get a new ticket. It was fairly painless but they should be a bit clearer what the requirements are, like the safety inspection. No big deal, just need to get it done. They do give you a temp registration. read more

DO NOT USE A DEBIT CARD!!! I went in to transfer my drivers license from out of state. The process itself was fine, and the employee was extremely nice and friendly. Until we got to the end of the transaction and the computer somehow did not register my payment. I get text messages every time my card is used, and immediately received one stating the charge went through. The employee asked me to swipe it again, because they had no record of payment. Same result. Her explanation was that the charges would 'fall off' within a few days because their system would not register the deposits. I called my credit card company, and the representative told me to have them reverse the charges immediately, as they did go through. A DMV supervisor was called over and was insisting they had not received payment. I showed her the text messages, and had both transaction ID numbers, and she told me to swipe my card again. I refused, and was told I would need to go over to accounting after five days to sort out my problem, if the charges did not 'fall off' after 5 days. She was useless, arrogant and rude, so I asked the woman helping me if I could pay at another computer. This time, payment went through. 10 days later, 3 charges are on my credit card bill. I do not have time to go back and sort this out. My credit card company can do that for me, as the charges have been disputed. Two stars for the kind women at the stations willing to work with me to solve the problem. The supervisor needs more training. read more

Worst MVA visit ever!!! The lady at window 14 was using her long braids to point to my MVA paperwork. She couldn't figure out what to do and was rude. She refers me to see a supervisor. I was hoping the supervisor was able to help after two long hours she then told me to wait again she said she had put the notes in the system and they'll know what to do. I waited and waited now I'm at the third window and we still have to get that same supervisor over to coach. OMG!!! All I needed was a new picture I was finally able to finish. It's so ridiculous. read more

Wellington was extremely helpful with my title transfer. I believe her name was Camille, our conversation was full of laughter. They took very good care of me. Thank you so much and happy holidays!! read more

I went to this MVA office to exchange my German driver's license back for a Maryland one. It took me about an hour to get the German license, because the person behind the desk knew exactly what she was doing. That was despite that fact that I barely spoke a word of German at the time. I've spent about 5 hours in the MVA and I still don't have my Maryland license back. Waiting in line for an hour is bad, but the staff at this MVA get up every morning thinking about how to make it even worse. They can't just leave you alone to stand in line, watch the line get shorter, and then get served. When I was waiting in line, one of the staff members decided it would be a good idea to pull half of the people out of the velvet-rope line based on what issue they were there for. I was one of those people, and at first I was happy because I thought this would mean that I would get served faster. Wrong! My new line moved at 1/3 the speed of the old line. Soon (and by soon I mean 45 minutes later) the regular line was basically empty, while our haphazard line got longer and longer. After contemplating the futility of life a while longer, I finally got my turn at the end of the line, which, in the style of government offices, is just the pre-line. The line you wait in to get into the real line. The real line uses a weird numbering system, with numbers like A43, and C97 which are sort-of-but-not-really called in order. The letters have to do with what kind of issue you have, but the numbers make no sense. My number was A43, and I watched a sequence like "A33, A34, A35, A26, A36 ..." It almost makes sense, but not quite! Who comes up with this stuff? When I was finally served at the service desk, I had to deal with the least competent person I have ever met. She kept asking me what her screen was saying. I told her I didn't know because a) I've never done this before b) I can't even see her screen. At one point, she asked to tell her what item 5) c. on my German license said, but would not show me the license so I could read it. I reached for it, and she pulled it away to stare at it more. In the end, I returned to my normal sitting position, and then moved quickly to grab it out of her hand before she could react. I read item 5) c., translated it from German for her, and handed it back. If I had slower hands, I might have waited another hour just for her to figure out that I need to look at my driver's license in order to read it to her. The worst part of all this, is it doesn't have to be like this. The MVA in Frederick is really alright. The time I went there, the guy behind the desk really knew what he was doing. I guess I'll drive out to Frederick from now on, because the extra 30 minutes of driving is nothing compared to the waiting and hopelessness inside the White Oak MVA. read more

I can't complain. I was in and out in 15 minutes. Unlike the Gaithersburg location, I did not feel like I was in the visitors waiting room of a prison. read more

I needed to exchange my DC driver's license. I was in and out in 45 minutes. Large clean waiting room. Ample parking. I arrived at 8:45 on a Thursday morning. There was someone near door to make sure people got in right line. Another person checked to confirm that proper documents were in hand before giving number to sit down and wait. I waited 15 min in line to get number. Another 15 minutes waiting on benches for number to be called. And final 15 minutes sitting at private station with guy who processed the transfer, took photo, gave vision test, etc. Things could not have realistically gone more smoothly. (Note: I ran through document checklist online before coming.) read more

Hands down the worst place I have ever been. The manager was very rude and unprofessional. Done wasted you're time. It took about 3 and a half hours just to be talked to. If you like you're self stay away from this place. Very negative and wack! read more

I honestly would like to say that this is one of the most convenient MVA's for me, I usually wait a decent amount of time, the ladies and gentleman in the front are super helpful. The times that I've been to this MVA I've been helped by a female and they have been very thoroughly informative and also they make things go by smoothly when you have all the right paper work. I would highly recommend this MVA to most people. They do have plenty of Spanish speaking employees and they work efficiently and at a great pace. read more

I arrived at 8:30 am. The line was already long, but they were well-staffed and relatively quick. I was happy with the experience.

I've been to four different MVA 's in Maryland. And yes., they are all busy and hectic. However., I have to say., a lady who was driving examiner today, friday at 2 pm., was very sweet and courteous. Some of the MVA could use some nice examiners like her. read more

After waiting for over an hour, my wife's permit was sent to the wrong address. We called and were told to come back in. We did and are still waiting after 2 hours. read more

I thought it couldn't be worse than NYC but it is. Rude people. I made appointment. Still waiting But I couldn't renew online. Bring lots of reading material If there's anyway you can do online. Do it read more

I can't believe I'm writing this about the MVA lol but this is all true! When I first got there around 3:40 it was very busy and the concierge provided me with some incorrect information, I stepped out of line to call a different department which had to do with my MVA visit and they were still open to assist. I was able to get back in line, get a ticket and continue being helped. The supervisor Tonya Stevenson is A SWEET HEART!! She is very professional and went out of her way to ensure I was able to complete my tasks through MVA. I also noticed how she speaks to the representatives in a warm way, where her instructions do not come off rude. Tonya does very well with multitasking and doesn't complain about assisting her coworkers. She even stayed after 4:30 (closing time) to continue to pleasantly assist me, she did not make me feel like I was bothering her at all. The state trooper Ewin who was working was also very pleasant, securing the building and assisting guests. Tonya directed me to Myra (who is also a spanish speaker and I watched her help guests and get thanked throughout the time I was there) who completed my transaction and was very helpful as well. I left long after 4:30 unintentionally, I do apologize for the time I took up from everyone but thank you very much, the compassion for humanity you all showed me was heartwarming and I know the best thing for us all is to treat each other with kindness. When the guests do and the staff do, it's a continuous circle of care that gets shared to everyone who is blessed with our presence. read more

I have been here twice and every time the staff has been very nice and trying to help everyone as fast as possible. I have a disability and they always make it accommodating for me and give me great service. Yes the liens are long, but they provide great service. read more

They WOULD NOT register a vehicle that I bought. The WHITE admin lady was being all nasty with me because my receipt that I had from the dealer was the old style paper where they hand you the white copy and the dealer takes the yellow copy. My dad got into it with her because of her attitude. She keep telling me all MVA won't register it. I said will see and I went straight to the one on Clopper Road. Got my tags with flying colors. Went back to White Oak and I made her so mad that she started to cry after I showed her my tags. She wasted my time and my gas. I think she was jealous because the vehicle I was trying to register was a Mercedes-Benz CLK500. I was in my early 30s at that time now I'm in my 40s. read more

So I came here to change my name. I went to the social security office first with my marriage license that is signed, has been filed and completed. They gave me my new social with my name changed. I came here next to get a new license with my new last name. They gave me hell saying that I could not use my license because I needed a certificate. I literally just called the office where I filled and they said you guys are idiots and you guys shouldn't have given me any problems. I'm not sure if it varies by state because I got married in Texas. But still, I already changed my name on my social why are you going to give me hell on getting a new license? I can't wait to move back to Texas from this hell hole. read more

TL;DR: MVA, your organization is broke; it's staffed by incompetent and unhelpful employees, and managed by ineffective supervisors. Here's a few things you can do to fix it: -Update your website with the correct processes and required documents for every action your organization handles. -Incorporate modern technology better to handle actions that don't require face-to-face contact. -Train your employees on the correct processes, basic customer service, and communications skills. Hire supervisors who are committed to excellent customer service and give them the power to enforce it. -Redesign the queue process at your local branches with the intent of serving people in the least amount of time possible, while making it so most of them leave having accomplished what they were there for. Have the front desk person check the customer's documents before giving them a number to ensure they have everything before sending them to wait in line. Give all employees the tools necessary to handle all actions without having to get a supervisor involved. The White Oak MVA branch is appallingly disorganized; staffed with incredibly incompetent and rude workers; and led by spineless, ineffectual supervisors. My experience felt like every stereotypical DMV experience depicted in popular culture, amplified by thousand, which is scary since my experience seems like the rule, rather than the exception after reading some of the comments on here. First, the MVA's employees that I dealt with have no clue about their own processes, yet feel compelled to treat me like an idiot for not understand the process or doing something wrong. The last time I was there, one person at the White Oak branch told me the lien holder had to fax a copy of the title along with a promissory note to the MVA so I could get my car registered. He said the faxed title would be entered into the MVA's database and told me I could call the MVA call center to check the status. When I called the call center the customer service reps refused to even listen to my explanation and transferred me to the White Oak branch's number while I was in mid-sentence. Since no one at the branch ever picked up the phone, I finally decided to just go back in and check to see if they received the title. After the front desk worker was done loudly berating a Hispanic woman for not having the required documents, and she left, frustrated, because she couldn't understand what he was saying since she didn't speak English well; he called me up. He gave me a supervisor number and told me to wait in line. I asked if he could just check to see if it's there before sending me to wait in line, with the intention that it's a waste of my time and theirs for me to wait in line for over an hour just to find out the title isn't even there. He gave me a look like I had just asked him to cure cancer, scale Mount Everest one-handed, or some other seemingly impossible request and repeated his instruction to wait in line, without any further explanation. I then asked two other employees if they could check to see if my title was there, and they both cut me off in mid-sentence, repeated the instruction to wait for a supervisor, and dismissed me. After waiting in line for about an hour and a half, I finally get called up to speak to a supervisor and ask him if they've received my title. He checks the "database," which is actually a box in which the MVA employees haphazardly throw incoming faxes into. After spending a few minutes rifling through the papers in the box, he locates my title, but not the promissory note, which is "shocking" considering the complete lack of organization of their faxes. He then informs me that he can't register my car without the promissory note and tells me to have a nice day. I ask him to explain why, and he tells me that I don't need to understand why. I insist on an explanation, and he patronizingly explains that I can't register my car without the lien holder's consent, which is provided by the promissory note. I point out this is contrary to the instructions for the lien holder, which doesn't say anything about providing consent to register my car. It only says to fax a copy of the title and a promissory note saying when the lien holder will send the original and how they will send it. I add that the act of faxing my title to the MVA implies consent to register my vehicle. After much hemming and hawing, he finally gives me a line about how it's the law and he can't do anything. I then address the rude treatment I received from his employees, and his response basically boiled down to the following: some of his employees don't know how to do their job and take it out on the customers, the MVA's customer service is no worse than what you'd receive from a private company like Verizon and Comcast, and customers are going to complain about everything, anyway. read more

many people complain about MVA but let me tell you, this MVA is the best, they always help people when they see the need. just make sure and ask for the things that you need very respectful and polite so you can receive the same, they help me with some registration Issues that I have from the past. read more

Horrible! Got here an hour early and there was already a line of 20. I love the State of Maryland, but they have one of the worst MVA systems in place. If you don't mind wasting time... read more

Awful experience. 4.5 hours for driver's license and tags. No food/snacks. Didn't realize it would take so long. Was hungry and cold. Was told if I went to my car to get a sweater, I would lose my place in line. Had studied site for what I had to bring, but once I got there, the fine print came out. Had to get tags on another day for husband's car. 2.5 hours to find out I didn't have husband's signature although title said"or" and I said to take my name off and leave his. So far 8 hours of time and still not done. Terrible experience and I still have to go back. read more

Came on a Saturday with my son, he was taking the learners permit test for the first time. Shannon was our customer service rep and she was awesome!!!! Gave my son encouragement and was super nice. We need more ppl like her!!! Thank you Shannon!!! read more

I would give it 0 stars if I can. The supervisor here is very rude. They will make you wait for hours without proving any real help at the end. Watch out for a lady name Nora, rude as hell. read more

Purchased a vehicle that was registered in MD but not tagged. The original owner bought the car in DC then transfered it to MD. Between DC and MD someone recorded Vin # of car in system wrong. MD stated they would have caught their mistake if the car was tagged just not registered. I was told I needed to take the car where it was originally registered (DC) specifically DC emissions center and have the Vin # checked and bring a form back before I could get the car registered and tagged in my name. No issue of emergency tags to drive car to DC and back to MD. Had to tow car to DC Vin# check and back to MD. Literally talked to 7 people at DC emissions who had no idea what I was talking about but the last guy pointed me to someone who might know what I'm talking about. Last gentlemen looked a file cabinet for at least 5 min to look for a form that fitted what I needed. Found a form, filled it out, walked outside to the car to write down the vin, walked in stamped it 2 or 3 times "vin #check" and handed me the form. Before I left the guy says ,"It's messed up MD put you through all of this, they could have checked the Vin in md!" Two day ordeal going back and forth between MD and DC which ended in me towing the car back and forth and finally tags and title. read more

You know what I love? You know what every human LOVES to do? What every human wants to do more than anything else? Wait about 4 hours to fill out 20 multiple choice questions in 10 min. Because that's what I did. And now I have back pains from standing up. Because unless you're here from 9:00 AM in the morning, you're standing up for the majority of the wait. This was the longest I've ever had to wait in my life. Luckily I found a seat where no one was sitting and relaxed there. Slowly I realized why no one was sitting there. There was an ant infestation in the cushion. After I brushed about ten ants off my leg, I stood back up and waited more. When I finally finished the (short) line in the front, I got to the stand, where one person was waiting to serve me. While I didn't know where to go because of the severe accent the person behind the counter had, I eventually figured it out. After standing in 2 more lines through what was supposed to be lunch, I made it to the testing area. And of course, I had to wait even more to take the test. We had the ticket (F 52) and the counter was going up from (F 42) so we decided to quickly go out for an hour and come back. When we got back, the counter was at (F 80) We knew we missed our ticket being called so we talked to the person behind the counter again, but for some reason, she was convinced that our number is coming up. We don't know if she didn't understand simple math or she just wanted to get the line to be moving. Either way, the numbers are still counting up from (F 83) now. After about an hour of waiting we decided to go up to the counter again to ask why our number wasn't showing up, and she said to sit back down and wait more. I was finished, but sure enough, as I was about to leave, my number was called. I am speechless read more

I had to go to the White Oak MVA several times in order to transfer my title, get a new license plate and drivers license. I called prior and the people that responded to my questions on the phone gave me clear and precise information regarding what I would need to bring in order to get each thing done. When I arrived, there were waits but I found the workers to be fairly efficient- especially in the drivers license area. They really knew their stuff- what documents could be used for what, etc. I was impressed and pleased with the process. read more

This lady called slimparis in white is very rude ... i was sent three times back after waiting for 5 hours every visit.... the first time i went there she checked my passport and drivers license and she said everything fine but she wanted a authorization letter from my country about the Drivers license, the second time i went there waiting for 5 hours again with the authorization and this time she finds fault with my ss letter, which she already said its ok the first time, the 3 rd time i go there with all this she finds something wrong with my passport,, is this lady nuts to not find all these faults right at the first time, does she bloody think people are jobless like her.... ridiculously rude, merciless, and absolutely no sense,, just with a makeup on and scent on her body does not make her intelligent enough to put her there, i guess there should be more people with more knowledge there... if you get stuck to her she will ruin ur life COUNTER NUMBER 21 read more

OMG, this place is hell. It seems very clear in the beginning, you get in line, you get filtered whether or not you have the right documents, and then you get a number. Then the fun begins. I waited 30 minutes for my number to come up. Then the girl said I had the wrong documents, even though the filter guy said I had the right documents. So I have to come back later when my documents are faxed over by the dealer. So I go over to the other line for driver services, and the filter person says I have the wrong documents and shoves a paper at me that says "out of country residents". I come back later, and thought I could jump the line since it was my second time. I was sure I had the right documents this time. Well, they didn't get my fax, even though my dealer has sent them now twice, and the b wouldn't let me call the dealer to confirm while I was sitting there. I had to go away and try later. I am so sure that fax was out of paper but who cares, just get out of the way. So I go back to the driver's services side to try for my license, and the filter lady says, "you can't go through with that document. Please step aside". End of story. You're given two seconds to produce the right documents. If you don't have them, get out of the way. Losers. read more

I showed up this MVA today to transfer an auto title from my husband to myself. I had called an mva information number to corroborate the info as I understood it and brought in all the necessary paperwork.. I was sure of it. I waited in the info line to receive the number I needed to be seen at a little window and then waited patiently. I greeted the customer service person warmly as I sat down. She immediately told me I didn't have the right paperwork and that I needed to go to a particular office in Rockville to get another form. First I asked why the person who initially checked my paperwork at the info desk, hadn't told me that and I'd been at the MVA for an hour. This lady ( her name according to her is Paula, I couldn't see a name tag ) told me I should have been given that information and I'd only been there x number of minutes. I pointed out to Paula that didnt include the time I stood waiting at the information desk. Then I asked where was this information she was telling me was written, I had brought all the computer generated paperwork specifying what info I needed and she brushed that off. Then I asked her what exactly this form in Rockville pertained to... as you can tell I was a bit insistent at this point. And she told me that "in the event of the death of the spouse".. I interrupted and stated my husband is not dead, he's very much alive and once again here's the paperwork you need. She immediately questioned the validity of the marriage license and ran off to check with a supervisor. Of course.. it was the original marriage license so her supervisor must have ok'ed it because she finally returned and completed the transaction. As I was leaving I said to her "it would have been kind of difficult for my husband to have filled out his share of the paperwork if he was currently deceased" she mumbled something. I then told her that I had observed with her previous customer and she wasn't very nice, that she actually.. just wasn't being very nice to her customers! She got rather heated and I asked for her name but in searching the MVA website, I see there's no spot for a customer complaint! For me it was fine.. I speak English, I knew I had the right paperwork and didn't get flustered even with her insisting I didn't have it etc. But.. she has no right to treat her clients with so little respect. read more

In this branch no one seems to know their job. I went to get my license back after an interlock suspension the first day after going through almost all of the workers there not a single person could helped me. I got there at 12noon and around 5:30pm they end up telling me that there was a problem and they were going to call me the next day for me to come back after the problem was fixed. So they called me the next day saying that the problem was fixed and to come get the license so I went there around 12:30pm they gave me a "supervisor" number and the calling began went through almost all the retards again and no one could help they kept sending me to the next available cube saying the other retard was going to help me but yet no one did. To make a long story short 5:30pm came and no one could helped again they end up telling me to come back in thirty days after the central mess had fix the problem! read more

I moved to Maryland from overseas, where I work for the US government. I have served my country overseas for nearly 10 years and deserve better service when I come back to the U.S. I have had driver's licenses from two states in the past ten years, and I never had the problems I had at MVA. For example, the proof of residency requirements are excessive and not spelled out in their entirety on the website - I presented a lease agreement and a piece of official mail (certified driving record) from my home state, but they said it was not enough because the "to" address on the envelope was hand-written. Nowhere on the website does it say your mail has to be on letter-head. They acted so suspicious, despite my official passport, my federal travel orders (transferring me from overseas to the U.S.), and many, many other documents. They said, "We're strict because of 9/11" (I hate when people use 9/11 as a justification for abusive treatment!). Moreover, they said, "You can change your address on your bank statements online and print that out and that will be proof of residency" - how idiotic! I can put any address I want on my online accounts, print it, then change the address. That doesn't prove anything. The people there (including supervisors) are poorly-educated, poorly-trained, and rude. In short, I'm keeping my out-of-state license and Maryland can kiss my ass. read more

I wish I could give this place a giant 0!!! I, unfortunately, took my drivers test here. Worst mistake.... The people who I first gave my paperwork to were so pleasant and nice! they kept telling me to not worry, and that I would do great! But as soon as I saw my instructor, I knew it was over. This man was irritated, obviously upset because he was working here, so my question for you is WHY ARE YOU? I parallel parked great! I also reversed and did awesome at that. I signaled the proper turn signals, did head checks, and always came to a complete stop when I needed to. At the end of the course, there is a stop sign, so i signaled my turn signal, stopped prior to the white line, did multiple head checks, and even spelled out "STOP" in my head. As SOON as i stopped on the gas pedal, he told me to pull into a parking space, and that i failed my test. I apparently failed to come to a complete stop. Which, pardon me, was complete BS. He immediately left after that. And as soon as I got out of the car, a woman whom I did not know came up to me and congratulated me! telling me I did so well and she hopes her daughter passes as easy as I did. And she was astonished to find out that I failed. I was completely screwed over. He was a complete bully, and I hope he gets fired. GO TO ANNAPOLIS!!!!! read more