It makes no sense why this place has 3 staff members to service dozens of waiting customers . Wait time here is never less than an hour. Every single time. Worst place in MD. read more

AVOID THIS PLACE IF POSSIBLE. WORST DMV. I'm switching tags from a different state and they were suppose to have faxed my car loan company with a title transfer on Monday and with no surprise they haven't done it. NEVER GOING BACK HERE. I RATHER DRIVE TO A DIFFERENT ONE. read more

The wait is forever, and there must be a better process, but a necessary evil. Once you get to speak to someone, they are usually pretty helpful, and most of the delay is people not reading the forms and completely filling out the info. read more

I have gotten my license in 4 states and never have I experienced such a frustrating process. When the website suggests proof of residency documents and gives examples...they are not up for interpretation. Bring a utility bill and your mortgage monthly statements. Don't assume any of bill such as your car or home owners insurance will work. And oh for your minor ... good luck documenting their residency. Still waiting after 2 1/2 hours for my number to be called. read more

This is a terrible MVA branch. Truly, even by Motor Vehicles standards. First, there is never a good time to go. Even 7 AM is not a good time to show up, as there are already people camped outside an hour and a half before it opens. 2:30 PM on a Wednesday in the middle of the month is not a good time to go, because apparently enough people took off time from work to queue up 2 hour lines anyway. The staff are kind of rude - understandably, because even waiting in the line as a customer stresses me out - and when they do finally call your name, expect to be told that you're missing some sort of document, whether or not the staff member is actually correct (I was told I needed my social security card to title my car despite bringing a W2; it turns out that the W2 is in fact acceptable - 3 hours blown away for nothing). I'd recommend the White Oak branch over this one. 30 minutes away, but a shorter overall wait and more efficient staff. read more

Did not have to wait. Before I sat down, my number was called. Cyndi was quick and efficient. Was in and out in less than 30 minutes.

Took my son to this MVA for his permit. Waited 2 1/2 hours (I timed it) in cue to meet with a representative, who then sent him to take his computer test, and then we were put back in cue for 30 minutes, so that to get his permit it took 3 hours and 15 minutes of waiting at the Giathersburg MVA. Inexplicably the MVA runs a news loop on flat screen TVs that kept encouraging us to eat Lion Fish. MVA no longer gives out the plastic permits and instead they go through the US Post Office! Ugh. Very disappointing for a new driver excited to get his permit. We paid $15.13 for 2nd day shipment, very expensive to mail a small piece of plastic. It requires the permit recipient's signature which they don't tell you so that your kid has to wait at home all day. Otherwise, they do not try to redeliver and instead they took it to a centralized warehouse and then sent it to a small post office 2 towns over - so we could only pick it up 5 days late! No refund was given. This means taxpayers are paying for about a dozen Post Office people plus all this transit plus they must drive all over to find their kids' permit - unnecessary time and expenses. The permit process at the Gaithersburg MVA is broken. read more

I visited the MVA late in the day at about 4:00pm to get a replacement drivers license and to update my license with my military veteran status. Initially, I stood in line for about 5 minutes and was told to get out of line to use the computers. I insisted that I needed to be seen and processed by a live person. I'm not a fan of doing everything online if you are physically present at the location. Once I received my number I was seen at 4:45pm and was done by 5:10pm. I was able to update my mailing address and verified that my voter registration address was correct. I think it's important that they have the option to register to vote when obtaining the new license. The customer service was okay but could be better overall at this facility. I've found they are faster of course if you go late as they want to go home. I'm sure my wait time would have been longer if I arrived earlier. The facility was in fair shape. It had all the basics to include a clean lobby and clean bathrooms with snack machines. There's food trucks across the street if you get hungry waiting. I'd recommend this location over the Beltsville location in regards to crowdedness. You can get all of your MVA needs met at this location. read more

I never thought I would write a five star review for the MVA, yet here we are. I recently purchased a new vehicle and had to get a title, tags, registration, and all of that other stuff. I know literally nothing about cars, and I'm terrible at filling out forms (especially when they ask questions I don't know - like what is a cylinder in a car? How do you know how many your car has?). I don't know her name, but a woman with dark curly hair (working at window 17) was incredibly helpful and patient! I did not anticipate having such a positive experience at the MVA, but I was in and out within 15 minutes with a smile on my face! Well done, MVA, well done. read more

Just moved from Cali went here to change my drivers license but didn't have the appropriate paperwork. The guy checking my papers was just doing his job no need for me to write a bad review :) Went back home frustrated came back next week and every thing went smooth. Its huge and very well organized. I really love their numbering system. read more

HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE. Tried to get my license test, waited over THREE HOURS to take the test in 95 DEGREES weather. They want to get the test over with b/c of the hot weather so they are picky about EVERYTHING. Don't come here unless you have the time or are patient. read more

This is the worst DMV I've ever frequented, and that says a great deal after moving between four states. Horrible customer service, rudest employees I have ever encountered, and do not clarify about the necessary documents you need. I made four separate visits, each time a different employee telling me to bring different documents. Avoid this location. Horrible horrible horrible. read more

As far as MVAs go, this location is your standard hurry up and wait place of business...oh wait I retract that statement. There is no hurrying, of any sort, taking place in this building. I arrived prepared with all required documents. The one thing I didn't have was my Drivers License,which is the reason for my visit. I checked in (about 10 min wait) found a seat and waited nearly an hour before my number was called. I guess due to the volume of people serve it is not customary for MVA employees to introduce themselves to the person sitting in front of them that is forced to share personal data. The employee who helped me was like a robot, Spoke only when he needed my response to process my paperwork. I was disappointed they refuse to print me a license that day. The best advice I can give is come prepared, do your research online so your trip is not a waste. Bring a book or a phone or a friend because you most likely will have to wait around for awhile. read more

I am used to the Beltsville MVA so going here was a blessing. Granted I went in the middle of the afternoon when most normal people are at work, but the lines were efficient and the wait was short enough for me to question whether or not I was actually in an MVA. I would say I spent a total of 30 minutes there, only because I had to wait in line at both kiosks. There were 2-3 people working each kiosk (one for car registration services and the other for driver's license services). Of course it would have been helpful if I didn't have to take care of getting my car title changed in one line and my address changed in another. My visit could have only been better if the MVA could add an area where both services are taken care of. read more

Online waitlist said approx. 40 min wait but I ended up waiting a little more than 1 hour and 30 min. The wait sucks, but the person at the service desk was friendly and quick. My total time at this location was 2 hours to get a duplicate license. read more

Yes, you are seeing this rating correctly, and no I'm not crazy! :) Today I had to go to this office to register two vehicles in state. Going into it, I was pumped, and emotionally ready for a terrible experience that everyone warned me about. I went today (Monday) in the late morning. My husband and I had to switch/tag team, but between the two of us, I think it took no longer than an hour of waiting, what a miracle!! I have no idea if it's because it was a Monday morning, or that my "section" (registering a vehicle, etc) wasn't busy, or what. Next, the lady at the counter was and ANGEL. She was seriously so incredibly nice. I didn't catch her name, but I'm going to try to find it on paperwork or something, and compliment her in an email to MVA. Seriously. Good people with great customer service deserve to be rewarded and recognized. Anyway, she was kind, patient, and very thorough. I was in complete shock of her kindness and almost wanted to cry, LOL. Of course the price of registering two vehicles was the not-so-fun part, but there is no reason to chew out the employee, it's a waste of their time, and your energy. So dear yelpers, go in "expecting the worst, but hoping for the best." Bring EVERY document/paperwork that you could possibly find in terms of your situation/issue/case. Good luck! read more

If I Can give them -5 I will they are very unorganized the customer service is mediocre I had to pay for a service that was supposed to be done and taking care of by their staff 2 times in a year and nobody can explain what happened at all. There should be something done about this this been ongoing for years if I had a choice I would never come here at all . read more

I made an appointment through MVA website about driver license for 1pm today. After I checked in at the MVA information desk I was assigned a call number which was called up RIGHT AWAY. I think they processed the appointments with higher priority. So, make an appointment if you can. (Note: during my recent visits I saw much fewer people waiting in MVA in PM than in AM. So if you can not make an online appointment, try to go in the afternoon) read more

6% of my cars book value as "punishment" for not registering my vehicle in time when I moved to MD? Such explicit language id love to use here but I won't. I won't even get into the wait times. We all know how bad those are here. I'm a trucker and time is hardly ever on my side when it comes to these maters. I'm moving back to NJ. Sorry Maryland, you have a wonderful state and the people are quite nice from what I've encountered. I need to be somewhere where the DMV is much more proficient in expediting important matters. read more

Why would you email me telling me to renew my license and then have me wait for TWO HOURS (with two people looking at my ID and saying NOTHING) just to tell me that I can't renew it because I'm not yet 21? The email said NOTHING about that either. Shame on you guys. That could have been easily communicated to me multiple times, but of course, because you can't make anything easy, it wasn't. read more

What can be said about the MVA. Is always long lines, never enough staff, and everyone who works there seems to have attitude. It's rare when you can find employee who really seems to care anymore there. There always seems to be an inefficient flow of people long lines and it's just too painful. If, like the old saying if they ever had a competitor they probably would have to clean up the rack but just like the post office it just doesn't matter how bad they really are. I went out to do a simple process and end of blowing two hours of my life there on something that probably should have taken about 10 minutes at the most. After being sent to the wrong line twice and then having to wait again and again it just seem crazy and inefficient. read more

No appointment and only took an hour to transfer from out of state to MD. DENNIS was awesome!

I had heard horror stories about the MVA so was pleasantly surprised. I just moved from out of state and went to get my driver's license. I got there a few minutes after opening on a Friday morning. There was a line to get your number, but it moved very quickly and the people at the counter were pleasant. I waited maybe 10 minutes for my appointment. The only thing that keeps them from getting 5 stars was that they couldn't find my apartment complex in their system (?!) so were having trouble using my lease as proof of residency. Luckily I had brought an extra document, just in case. All together, took less than 30 minutes. I recommend going early on a weekday and taking extra proof of residency if you have it, just in case. read more

I cannot believe I am saying this about the MVA but this was absolutely the ideal way to have an appointment in the COVID era. I usually dread going to the DMV/MVA but this was a wonderful trip. CAVEAT: Past experience with surly DMV workers has taught me to triple check instructions and documents required, but with that in mind I was in and out of the door in 20 minutes and was treated well by all I interacted with, to the very humorous gentlemen at the door (last fake COVID check question was "A train leaves Boston going 30 mph...") to the really efficient case worker who issued my new license. The place is sparkling clean, well marked for social distance, and incredibly efficient (again, I'm saying this about the MVA!!??). It takes a month to book an appointment, frustrating, but so much better than waiting for hours while actually there. Hope they keep this system even after COVID. P.S. - the Mexico Puebla taco truck right outside is legit and delicious, and now you'll have time to grab some tacos when you're done. read more

Ok, this place has changed from the world of mean and miserable people into a world of friendly people... BUT you still have to wait forever! read more

MVA trips are never fun. But this station offers the longest wait time. Avoid!

I am a regular visitor to the MVA in Gaithersburg and while I have suffered the frustration of many wasted trips and countless hours waiting for my number to be called, to be fair, I am pleased to report that today's experience was a quick and pleasant one. I went to turn in a tag for a motorcycle I sold as well as transfer the title for one that I bought. I knew to arrive early - about 9 am. After just a few minutes in the triage line, a friendly greeting from the staffer who served me, I had my number and took a seat. What seemed like only 10 minutes later, my number was called, my business successfully done, and I was on my way home. I could not ask for a better experience. read more

I went at 9:30am on the second Wednesday of the month. First you wait in line to speak to an intake person can make sure you have the documents you need before you get a number. It's a pain to have to stand in line, but it's better than sitting there for an hour before you find out you don't have what you need. That line took about 5-10 minutes and I don't think that wait time is included in the wait times they list on their website (which seemed pretty accurate otherwise.) Once I had my number, the wait on the driver services side was about 5 minutes. The clerk was nice and it took about 10 minutes to complete my transaction. He was then able to transfer my same number over to the vehicle side. My wait over there was about 10 minutes. The lady gave me a tip about waiting to complete my transaction that would make it cost less. I was only in there for about half an hour total. I highly recommend going in the middle of the week in the middle of the month. Side note: the waiting room music is so horrible it's almost funny. First they played the entire Golden Girls theme song, then they played Mellow Yellow. It's at a pretty decent volume too, they are not shy about their institutional taste in music. It was surreal. read more

Everything is so slow here!!! They have 19 counters for license service, but only have 5 open in the morning, leaving all of us waiting hours and hours.. And don't even want to complain, it costs you 150 bucks to file one! read more

I waited an hour before getting to the window to speak to a person. Going here is a pain in the butt.

Yay! This paragon of state government bureaucracy and inefficiency finally has full service kiosks. For anyone who wants to completely re-register their car while at the MVA, (for the insane only!) the kiosks will take your money in exchange for a printed registration form AND the sticker that goes on your car's license plate. So... I guess the MVA is not so inefficient anymore. read more

I actually came here because my visit to a different MVA was a real bad experience. This MVA was way more efficient and I actually was properly greeted and treated like a human being instead of a number. The lines were shorter, given that I came on a Thursdaymorning. But I still felt like everything was being dealt with in a normal amount of time. Where I had to wait 4 hours(!) during my previous visit, I was done in an hour and 15 minutes at the MVA in Gaithersburg. I had to exchange my out of country license and in order to do that, I had to process my papers and do a vision test and knowledge test. read more

Has gotten so much better since 80''s. But I a having hard times listening the explanation from a non-speaking English employee. The yellow easy machines do a better job. Still like to come to this MVA. read more

The dumbest people that you can find at this DMV. They made us wait for over 4 hours for a simple license renewal even though we had a fast pass aka hard stop. The place is overcrowded and employees are not trained. They will tell you a lie if they don't have an answer. They made numerous mistakes and then, in the end, asked us to come back again. I am done with this DMV. Please do not go here unless you have a whole day to deal with their stupidity and have a lot of patience. read more

Amazing. About 0.2 nanoseconds to return tags. Last time I was here--about 15 years ago--it took me 30 minutes to be told I was in the wrong line. read more

Got there at 8:30AM this morning with around 30 people ahead in line for the driving license services. The vehicle services line is separate, with around the same amount of people. They let everyone in at 8:30am straight. Checked-in and got my ticket within 12 min. Waited for another 5 minutes. Spent another 7 minutes with a very polite and professional clerk and voila, me and my 10-month-old are out of there, happy and satisfied. Would give 5 stars if everyone working there would be a little nicer. Thanks! read more

Awesome experience! I moved from VA to MD and had to get a new license and new plates. Everything was seamless and all associates were extremely helpful. read more

Avoid going to this location at all costs even if it means driving to a location much much farther away. The waits are very long even by MVA standards. But what makes this MVA much worse is the incompetence and rudeness by the employees. There is not a single employee at this location that I've dealt with that I want to deal with ever again. read more

If I could give this less than one star I would. I agree that the driving test has become an endurance test for families. The man that gave my son the test, was incredibly rude. Since we had to wait for an hour, even though we had an appointment, I had ample time to watch his lack of skills interacting with people. He was the only one who did not introduce himself, shake hands, or even try to be civil. He was snarky, rude and on top of it all was unintelligible. He had a very heavy foreign accent, perhaps African. When he was asked to repeat something because what he said was not understood, he became angry and insulting. He failed my son because he did not understand what he said. When my son asked for his name, the man became surly and wouldn't answer, so he asked two more times and finally the man mumbled something that sounded like Shagrafur. If you ever have to deal with this rude little man, just ask for someone else. This little guy is a people hater. I am so tired of public servants acting as they were hired to thwart and not help. Clearly, this man is in the wrong job. We will never ever be returning to the Gaithersburg MVA. read more

This place is huge. I came at noon (I know what was I thinking) to get a Tennessee DL transferred to a Maryland license. Waited in the ticket in for about 25 minutes then some chick asked to see my documents. I had a utility bill where the first letter in my name's ink was kind of faded and she said it wasn't acceptable and I would come back. I asked her if there was a place nearby that I could print something and she said IDK in a rude manner. Anyways, I went to a UPS store nearby printed out the utility bill and came back around 130 after getting lunch. Got a number much quicker, the line seems to die down after 1ish. Had to wait about 25 minutes for my ticket to be called. Once I was called, the process took about 5 minutes. The girl that helped me friendly. Not as bad as I thought it was going to be. If people bring in the correct documents, the entire experience wouldn't be as bad. But the employees there don't help the situation. It's a DMV, of course the experience is going to suck. read more