Instead of complaining about the DMV, stop being part of the problem

[An Haddock]

Wasted an hour at the DMV today. Stuck in line for probably 45 minutes.

My own fault because I forgot I could renew my registration online.

But what irritated me was it seemed like half the people in front of me (4 out of 8 or so) were complaining about the DMV but when they got to the counter, they became the ones holding things up. One woman didn't fill out the back of her form. Another didn't understand the difference between a registration and an inspection sticker. Another guy didn't bother to fill out the title transfer paper (date, amount, etc.) even though he had a good half hour to do it. (and should have done it before getting in line anyway)

If you want things to go faster at the DMV, make sure all your paperwork is filled out before you get into line.

[April]

I spent 4.5 hours at the DMV last Friday to get my kid her permit. I had EVERY single piece of paperwork, every document, every thing I needed. The line was out the door. You're right, all those people complaining only had a portion of what they needed, if they brought anything at all. It was ridiculous.

[Heksubah]

Great googly moogly. You guys need what we have out here. You can sign in either via a device at the DMV or with an app on your phone that puts you in a queue. Say there is a four hour wait, then your phone app notifies you of how much is remaining and warns you when the time is getting close. If you get to next in line and you are too far away to make it in time, you can tell it you need more time and it bumps you back a spot or two. Minimizes the waiting and cranky people at the DMV.

[the lawsmeister]

If you want things to go faster at the DMV, make sure all your paperwork is filled out before you get into line.

sounds like the guy at the bus stop who complained to me that the buses were always late, tried to pay his bus fare with a 50 and argued with the driver when he refused to accept it.
Missed my train because of that guy

[mosspack1]

Our DMV got a new system several years ago. Go to the info desk at entrance where you tell her why you are there and she will give you the appropriate form, what areas to fill out, a number with a letter in front that denotes why you are there. Specific windows deal with specific needs. Really streamlined things. Never there for more than an hour and most times 30 to 45 minutes.

[notalwaysright]

I noticed (and complained about) this exact problem the last time I renewed my license. I was getting an Enhanced license, and you can't do that online as far as I know. I had to wait to get the appropriate number, then wait for the license portion, then wait again for the passport portion, then again for the photo. I had all my stuff ready.

But as I'm waiting, I hear the people at the counters and it's painful. They go up, and are missing something and the person behind the counter is explaining what they need. Of course, there's the mini argument that what they have SHOULD be right, and the employee has to broken record explain until they go away. You always hear that DOL (our state calls it Department of Licensing instead of the more common Department of Motor Vehicles) employees are rude, but they were SO NICE and patient. I, however, wanted to scream at these people. I swear, I don't remember one person who went up and had the correct forms ready.

[Jetfire]

The DMV has nothing on the Passport office in my city. Mom and I went to renew our passports last January (on my birthday).

When we got up to the floor it was on, we were directed to a side room and given a number, where we had to wait about an hour.

When our number was finally called we were taken to the main room, talked to the secretary basically who gave us another number based on why we were there. (Passport renewal, passport pickups, visa applications, etc....), and we had to wait another hour in there before our number finally came up.

All in all, the workers were going pretty efficiently. They were slowed a bit by the usual folk who didn't have the paperwork filled out properly, but that's why they are there. (They take a close look at the forms and make sure all the I's are dotted and T's are crossed before it gets sent out). The main issue was that there were only 6 clerks, and (since we were there early afternoon), at least 2 of them were cycled out for lunch breaks. They just could not handle the volume they were receiving.

For Drivers Licensing, Services NB has a similar system to what the Passport office uses, but they don't need the second room. You see the secretary when you enter, tell what you are there for. They'll often look over your paperwork quick to make sure it's all filled out, and assign you a letter-number combo, and you wait to be called up.

Both places basically use the same call system. Each job has a category based on how quick it can be done, and you get a Letter and Number for that category. So if you're there for a quick job, you'll likely get called up fairly quickly, and not get stuck behind a long line of long tasks.

[Catwoman2965]

In my state, they've streamlined it quite a bit. I still see news reports and hear horror stories about how long it took someone to do whatever. But...the one by me I've never had an issue with. Then again, I make sure I have everything I need, plus some, with me, and all necessary forms filled out.

What they have done, which helps, is they have a desk when you first walk in, a gatekeeper of sorts. They ask why you're there, look at all your documentation, forms etc. and send you to a specific line. They also can now take care of everything at that one window you are sent to. Used to be you got online (no gatekeeper) handed in your stuff, then sat down, waited to be called, went to another line, then another to pay and pick up your whatever. THe nice thing is, if you don't have the right forms etc. the gatekeeper will tell you, or give you the correct form, and you still have to go back to them once you fill it out.

i went with my mom when she moved back to our state, and it did take longer, but she had to transfer the title to her car, register it, and get a new license. and they had some system issues. But all in all they were very pleasant, and got it all done easily.

i've found, whether at the DMV or not, as long as you are polite, the staff will be polite back!

[Daskinor]

Yea, Maryland DMV have their crap together.

Counter 1- This is where you need to go and here is a number, no standing in line!
Counter 2- Look over your documentation, everything is good new number
Counter 3- Processes the paperwork, get new number
Counter 4- Pay and collect your crap


In and out on a Moving registration from Volvo 1 to Volvo 2, when volvo 1 had an emissions flag. 35 minutes in and out, and this was close to lunch time.

[notalwaysright]

The DMV has nothing on the Passport office in my city. Mom and I went to renew our passports last January (on my birthday).

Yeah, if I was getting or renewing my full passport, it wouldn't be at the DOL. The enhanced drivers license is only in like five states and you can use it to get in and out of Canada. That way you don't have to carry your passport, you can just have your driver's license.

I do need to renew my passport, but for some reason I thought I could do it by mail. Yikes.

[Ironclad Alibi]

I do need to renew my passport, but for some reason I thought I could do it by mail. Yikes.

If you are renewing a US passport, you can do it by mail.

[ladyjaneinmd]

Yea, Maryland DMV have their crap together.

Counter 1- This is where you need to go and here is a number, no standing in line!
Counter 2- Look over your documentation, everything is good new number
Counter 3- Processes the paperwork, get new number
Counter 4- Pay and collect your crap


In and out on a Moving registration from Volvo 1 to Volvo 2, when volvo 1 had an emissions flag. 35 minutes in and out, and this was close to lunch time.

A couple of years ago, I bought my sister's car. My brother-in-law filled everything out properly and I had all of the required documents. This threw the desk lady for a total loop. Apparently she hadn't seen this for a long while. She kept saying, 'You need to...' and I'd point 'Right there'. It didn't take long, but the car title was transferred to me.
It was funny, though.

[Catwoman2965]

A couple of years ago, I bought my sister's car. My brother-in-law filled everything out properly and I had all of the required documents. This threw the desk lady for a total loop. Apparently she hadn't seen this for a long while. She kept saying, 'You need to...' and I'd point 'Right there'. It didn't take long, but the car title was transferred to me.
It was funny, though.

Oh dear. i think its time for an eye exam. I read this as "i bought my sister's CAT" oops.

[Ironclad Alibi]

Oh dear. i think its time for an eye exam. I read this as "i bought my sister's CAT" oops.

Maybe it was this cat, ...er car.

[Monterey Jack]

"If you're not a part of the solution, you're a part of the problem. Stop bein' part of the fuckin' problem and put the other fuckin' guy back on the line." [cookies for ref]