Are there other states having the same problem with dmv? Im just curious because I had to go to dmv recently and it was probsbly the worst experience I have ever had.
I had to be there an hour and a half early since they open at 8. Then I didnt get out until almost 11. All I need was a duplicate and ended up turning into a process.

 

Welcome to the Greedy State.

 

In NC they have 2 different places you go to depending on what you need
there is the license plate agency and then
there is the driver license agency.
Long ago I had long waits at the NJ DMV but the past few times I have gone there for my mom I had very little wait.

 

first time going to dmv??

This is why I make appointment ahead of time.

 

Last time I went I was on line for 20 minutes, then the lady handed me a form and said to fill it out and get back on line, so then another 20 minutes waiting. Then after that, I waited another hour. When I was just about to finish and was signing my signature, the freaking power goes out. So I wait another hour and a half, and the person doing my license says she is going for lunch and to come back. So I ended up just leaving my cell number and then she called me when the power came back on. I probably pissed off a few people since I just cut the out-the-door line and went back up to the window

 

I had to go get my license renewed and I got there one hour earlier. They opened at 8 and I was out by 9.

My mom went 30 minutes before they opened and she was there till 11, 30 minutes made a HUGE difference.

 

The DMV near me in VA doesnt have a long wait, but the people that work there are idiots.

I fought with them for about two weeks when I was transferring my car from NY because they wanted me to pay VA sales tax (they were treating it as if I had just bought the car when I had owned it for over a year at that point). I had already paid sales tax in NY. I brought in receipts and even my bank statement but they didnt care. They made me fill out numerous forms and each time I returned it was the wrong thing (I kept having to fax paperwork to my bank because the car is financed). Finally I got someone that pushed it through properly.

That was the only time I had a problem with the DMV in VA. NY is always a hassle due to the wait times.

 

What is up with it?

It's the DMV and it's in New Jersey. 'Nuff said!

 

Makes me glad that I have hook ups at DMV.

 

CA is supposedly a dysfunctional state, but you can call and set appointments at the DMV. It worked well for me the last time back in 2002 or 2003: in and out in 20 minutes, including the written test and taking the photo for a new license.

However, the Auto Club-- the local AAA affiliate-- can pretty much do everything the DMV can do, so I use it for things not available electronically through the DMV website (changes on registration, replacement registration renewal sticker, etc.).

 

what is funny is that you should see the vehicle inspection process in NJ now... it is a joke...

 

yeah, I heard that from a friend of mine who lives in NC, as I'm mulling over relocation to the Research Triangle area.

As for NJ, I've not had ANY notable problems with the DMV in years.

 

I never had any problems at the DMVs in Jersey. The one in Flemington was great...newly renovated and big...too bad by that time I had moved to NY and was just going in to return my Jersey plates. I waited forever at an old shitty NY DMV to get my new license.

 

last time i went to my local dmv it took me over 2 hours. i now drive out to the dmv in less populated bumblefuck to avoid lines.

 

nailed it right on the head.

and this is actually the improved DMV. over a decade ago when i was first learning to drive, the lines were wrapping around the outside of the DMV's at peak times, and you had crabby old ladies yelling at you

 

depends where you go, if you go to lodi, of course you will be there for years

find a smaller, local, out of the way DMV. I never have a big wait at mines

 

That may be the case. I usually go to Somerville and it's pretty much been an in-and-out deal each time.

 

Got stuck at the DMV in downtown Portland a few weeks ago just to get a copy of my driving record for a job. Took me an hour and a half just to get to the counter and they didn't even bother faxing it to me until the following Monday.

 

^^ Actually, something like that could take a little longer in NJ than the in-and-out I just posted. Driver abstracts or worst yet, resolving suspension related issues usually require one to go to one of the four regional offices to complete.....and that WILL take time to get done.

 

PA is all private and not cheap. They freakin check everything. They found a broken end ink bracket and flunked me. Now I have to wait till Monday to get the part and install it then take it back for another inspection.

 

I have never gone to Lodi, and I never will. Is it a town over from me? Yes. But if I drive past its always busy as hell, and a friend of a friend was failed on his driving test without even being told what was wrong. Meanwhile in Wayne I got away without signaling and bumping the curb during the parallel test . I actually hear horror stories that Wallington gets lines out the door too. You'd think someone woulda came up with a way to expedite some of the smaller tasks of the DMV by now, smh

 

^yep. I did my test in lodi but then my guy told me i could just take my test results and get my license at another DMV. did my test, was in/out, and got my license instantly at my local DMV

every other experience at my local DMV has actually been...pleasant ?

I go early also, like 9 o clock early

 

Going early didn't seem to help much when I got my license renewed at the DMV in Summit a few months ago. I got there before 10 and ended up staying there for nearly four hours. By the way, that was my second attempt - I tried a few days earlier but left when I realized I would need half a day to get it done.