Department of Motor Vehicles

Horrible customer service. I brought all the right paper work, had no complaints, and was friendly — the lady I was assigned was very rude to me and would walk away while I was asking questions. I understand the DMV can be stressful for the employees, but it was not busy at all and I was not complaining or unprepared. Absolutely awful service.

I have no doubt that any of the staff here at this DMV ever planned to end up as a DMV employee. So part of me forgives them for their incompetence. That being said, this DMV is the epitome of government ineffectiveness. In fact, the always worst part of your trip to a DMV (the waiting in line) is in fact the most efficient part of your visit simply because the queue is automated and managed by a computer algorithm. The staff here are simply horrible. They look at you in awe when you ask them questions that deviate from their checklist. I told them I was having a change in title and they tried selling me new license plate. I called ahead of time to get an estimate of how much it would cost and the amount was $ 200 more. Listen, I imagine the amount of wrong turns you needed to take in life to end up here as a staffer are countless so I sort of feel bad for these DMV employees. But even the worst of the worst humans should at a minimum take a little pride in their work. When pressed with questions like «what would you do?» or «I don’t want to have to come back here so what do you recommend I do?» they tremor. So be prepared. This place is lock-​stock full of entitled, incompetent, power-​tripping fools who want to squeeze as much money out of you as they can and make your visit as miserable as possible.

I must say that I am very disappointed on the wait time stated on the web of 38min and the actual wait time of 82min. I went to this location thinking the wait time was accurate as it was less than the time at other nearby locations. The service was also not great, the person had to call the supervisor twice to answer a simple question I had on updating my registration. The part that irked me the most was that a few people that came after me were serviced first. The letters on the tickets do not seem to get serviced in order, not sure why that is the case. Some letters and number combinations end up getting service 5 – 10 min earlier.

Staff is fast and professional and friendly and effective. We got everything done (including registering a car and getting a new VA tag) jn only half an hour (including waiting time). Definitely the better DMV in the northern Virginia region.

Read the reviews and came prepared to wait for HOURS. I went on a Tuesday afternoon, so maybe that helped my experience. I visited the website prior to my office visit to ensure that I had all of the necessary documents to get my VA drivers license and tags. Got checked in and waited about 20 minutes before being called up to begin the process. The clerk was pleasant and VERY helpful. She was able to get me both my license and tags while she worked with me. The DMV is not a visit that people typically look forward to, but if you have to go this experience wasn’t bad at all!

I have had to come back several times to get ID’s issued for my kids. The first time we waited nearly an hour only to have the ID’s send to the wrong address. Went back again w/​o the kids to get the ID/​s reissued but needed the kids (what pictures were taken less than a month ago!) and was not told that when I spoke to someone on the phone. Hopefully 3 times the charm. This location is always slow. 45 min wait time is typical. Thank goodness I have time to come back again (this time removing my kids from school to be there and missing valuable class time)

My experience is to go an hour before closing so you know they’ll move you along so they can get home too. They’ve been pleasant and patient here each time I’ve visited. If you need a renewal they charge an extra five dollars at DMV so if you can do it online.

Sigh… the South Arlington DMV… where every visit is an adventure. Despite an efficient check-​in at the entry desk, your encounter continues with an officious window representative telling you why you can’t do what you are requesting… And ends with her/​him giving you the result you requested in the first place. But only after a ten-​minute scolding for your «attitude.»
Yes Virginia, this facility needs a review of its staff and services.
I will dispense with future visits to this site and will opt for one of the nicer, kinder, DMV Select locations. Where simple transactions are conducted with a smile.

Figured I’d review this place since this is the best service I’ve ever received at any DMV. I’ve lived in three different states and this was really easy and painless compared to others. I will suggest to others to try and get to the DMV early as I did.

Bring a book or movie if you have the misfortune of having to come to this miserable place. I waited 2.5 hours to change my mailing address in person because, unlike other DMVs, Virginia requires you to show up in person with documents they could easily handle online or in faxed form.
There are 16 Windows, but only 4 people working.
And they work very, very very very slowly.

Worst place ever!!! I wish this place would shut down and dismisses evryone who works there with bad behaviour and less educated record which can be great difficulty for them to get hired!!! Those third world country immigrants who barely communicates with customers, actually, deeply bring on their old school negative characters to get the job done and with that pisses everybody off! even creat big hatred among people and people and official places!!! Do not go there pwople!

OK, its weird to review DMVs on Unilocal.But the customer service here was exceptional (given that I had everything I needed to get my drivers license). I went here on Monday morning at 815, (it opens at 8) and there were already 50+ people in front of me. But I got through the door, got the right application and only waited about an hour and ten minutes to be called. And once I was called, I was done within 10 min. The whole affair only took hour 20, hour 25 minutes without any hassle.
They key is to do your research and get your documents in order before you get there. And it goes smoothly. It also helps tremendously if you speak English well.

My Russian wife becoming a US citizen has been trying to get her drivers license from this DMV. She drove in her country and passed the written test here on the first try. We waited 6 hours the first time for the written test and at the end of the day they told us we need to take also a road test. They could not accommodate the same day.
OK fine, we went back again the following week and then they told us after 1 hr of waiting that we need to schedule an appointment — 2 weeks out.
Finally, I took time off work and went again to the DMV, 2 weeks later, today as requested and came early at 2:30P with an appointment at 3PM and they told us to take a number. 3PM came and went and then I asked them why the wait despite the appointment. Then they started to go through all the papers they had on file regarding her immigration data in the forms. They found a discrepancy and said they will need to call Richmond central office to resolve. Should only take 30 minutes to resolve.
By 4PM I asked the manager to find what is going on. He went in the back and said everything is OK and that she can take the driving test. By 4:30 I got concerned that she could not take the driving test because we were still waiting and worried that they would not be able to accommodate.
Finally — The driving test at 4:30. The DMV agent that conducts the test came out. I asked my wife for the keys (in front of the DMV agent) so I could get my backpack out the car since I would be waiting while she took the driving test. She asked her 3 times if she had the keys to the car or else she would have to bump her appointment. I was back within two minutes.
You can guess what is next. The agent failed her for her driving test. She said that she did everything perfectly except that when she made the left turn back into the DMV lot she should have turned quickly in front of the oncoming car and not hesitated and went in the red light. She indicated she had enough time to turn left and could have made it.
I was watching. I would not have done it. I have been driving almost 30 years without a single moving violation.
We will scheduled another driving test 2 weeks out. They told us that once again they may have to call Richmond to confirm the data contained in their forms.
This nonsense has cost me over 15 hours time off work and time at the DMV. This is your tax dollars at work.

I would give them ZERO star if I could! This is def. the worst experience (s) ever. I came before 11.30am to take the drivers licence computer test — as they requires — and waiting in the line FOREVER, then guess what, when its finally my turn to get a number, the staff yelled at the whole line behind me (including me of course): «for those need to take computer test, READ OUR SIGN (which is right next to her and the counter, in other words, you will not see the sign until you wasting your time and finally make to you turn then was told its too late)! You need to come here before 11.30! No test today!»
I came here BEFORE 11.30 for gods sake! Now I have to make a third trip for your own poor management and fault! Well one thing Im sure is I will find another DMV next time!

No, just no.
Can’t even review the service, but I can review the parking lot. 30 minutes of creeping ONE time around the lot. HORRIBLE situation! By the time I MIGHT have found parking, I’m sure that the DMV would have been closed. They need to have someone out there directing traffic.
Not okay.

First time we went last week to get my dad a drivers license and they made him wait for three hours before they tell you that the «ticket» for the road test is full for the day. We went on a Saturday cos that’s the only time we could go. It was very disappointing.
2^nd time, decided to visit again to get the road test. We don’t have choice since my dad already got his details and written test passed at This location. So my we decided to go before the opening time. We got here at 7:45am just for a road test. It’s now 11:30 am and no sign that we will be taken care of today. MORE THAN 3.5 HOURS, still nothing. Worst service.

2.5 stars. Staff was friendly, but wait time alone kills the rating of this place.
Oh, how I wish it were like the DC DMV, where you’re in and out in 10 minutes or less. Unless you’re going to show up before this place opens, expect to be here AT LEAST 2 hours. Bring a book, a game, something to pass the time.
And go onto the DMV website beforehand to check for what you need to do/​bring before you arrive. You may even be able to do whatever it is you need to do via mail instead of going here.
I went in on Wednesday mid-​day to convert my out of state license. First, there’s a line just to get a number at the information desk. I get this. They want to make sure that you have the proper paperwork and required documents before you take a number and end up waiting forever only to find out that you don’t have what’s required.
This line took 20 – 30 minutes to get through, and the guy at the desk was friendly and helpful. He made sure I had proper documentation. Got my number, sat down.
A little over two hours later after sitting in a very uncomfortable chair and texting friends that the DMV is where hope goes to die, my number was finally called. The lady helping me was pretty quick and efficient, and friendly. The other attendants around were also pretty friendly based on their jovial conversations with other customers.
Was done within 10 minutes. Did I get my new license? No, I got a temporary one with my other license voided and handed back to me. The real one gets issued in the mail. Wish I could have seen what my picture looked like.
Total time at the DMV, start to finish: 2.5 hours. New license arrived within a week.

Fuck this place… still, but not so much this time as last time.
I decided instead of wasting more time of my life at the DMV again, that I’d call and customer service line to see if there was anything I could have done different than what I have brought in that day I got turned away after sitting for two hours to get my new license.
That day I had brought in my passport, current driver’s license, my birth certificate, a bank statement from my address, and my legal court order name change to my husband’s surname. One would think that the documents I provided would be suffient. The lady at the window told me I had to go to the social security office first to change my ss card before I could change my ID. This sounded like false information to me hence my call to the DMV hot line.
My suspensions were correct. The customer service rep confirmed that I should NOT have been turned away, and I should have gotten my driver’s license. If you run into this problem, ask for the manager at this location. They’ll straighten up this problem. The customer service representative called this DMV and spoke directly with the manager. He told her to relay the message to me to come back in and I’ll skip the wait since I was misinformed.
I did just that. Arrived at 10am and was out by 10:25am. I have my new temp license until they send the new one in the mail. I shouldn’t have gone through all of this trouble, and he did apologize for the misinformation that was given to me.
I felt satisfied with the result. Anyway, I’m glad I won’t have to return here for awhile. This place would give anyone anxiety with the way they handle things and especially the general attitude of the window attendants. When I was walking out the door, the manager was speaking to the lady who screwed me the week before and she gave me the stink eye as I exited.
The end.

Came here on a Friday noon to get my car registered and get plates. The place was packed. U first wait in line to be greeted by a lady with a bad attitude that will give you your ticket number and appropriate forms to fill out. Don’t bother asking too many questions bc she speaks loudly and meanly and will put you in ur place.
Then you have to wait to be seen. I literally waited 2 hours. Luckily they have water fountains and bathrooms, but not much else.
When I approaches the clerk I could tell she was also pissed. Everyone that works there has a horrible pissed look on their face. I made it my mission to try and see if I could crack a smile on this woman’s grill. I pride myself on being able to make people laugh, but this was my toughest challenge yet. I pulled out all the stops, Including my go to self deprecating humor, and barely, this woman literally barely cracked a smile. They are like machines.
I know you don’t have much choice when it comes to DMV matters, I am just writing this review to let you know that you better go with a book, a friend or a fully charged cell phone battery, bc ur going to be in for a long mean wait.

When I was 16, I passed my Virginia driving test on my 5^th try. Here it is, 20 years later, and at age 36, I was granted a Virginia license transfer/​vehicle tags on my 5^th trip to the DMV. Thanks for the memories, jerks! Apparently the DMV is only for the gifted and talented. If you’re having an off day, or if you’re slow or suffer from a terrible disease or other malady, you are just plain out of luck.
The Good
If there is one saving grace at this location, it’s the Customer Service Center Manager, A. Murphy. He is competent, helpful and he truly cares about your experience. He saved me from a meltdown yesterday. He gave me his card, a letter granting me first place in line on my next trip, and his word that I would be taken care of. I came back today, and he was there, he remembered me and he checked in to make sure that both of my transactions were completed smoothly. He is the only person who seemed to genuinely care about customers at this DMV. I’m adding one star back to my original review, just because of my knight in shining armor, Mr. Murphy.
The Bad
I witnessed a particularly disturbing incident. There was an older gentleman who clearly had Parkinson’s disease that was waiting near the information desk. He seemed to be looking around, and made a move to hold on the the counter, coming dangerously close to an info sheet. He was quickly approached by a female security officer and rudely, loudly and gruffly told to walk away from the desk. He was warned that he was not allowed to take any of the documents on the counter. He responded that he just needed to get up and take a breather and that he did not intend to abscond with any of the forms. A few minutes later the gentleman walked by again and had noticed his car was gone — it had literally disappeared from his parking spot. The same security guard informed him that he parked in a non-​DMV space (not clearly denoted by signage) and his car had been towed. I wanted to cry for him. The guard told him to go outside and look on the sign and call the number of the towing company to get his car back. This poor man was shaking, could have clearly used some help. She offered none.
Is this how we treat people these days? Let alone older, sick people?
My heart broke for this poor man, just as my number was finally called — after 2.5 hours of waiting.