Department of Motor Vehicles

As other patrons have suggested, the service is much more efficient. The employees were friendly and helpful. Thanks David and Ashanti. It took me about 45 minutes to update my drivers license with updated photo.

I’d rather listen to someone scratch their fingernails on a chalkboard for hours on end than go here again anytime soon! Crowded, slow, and did I say crowded? The only good thing was that the initial line when entering, though long, moved rather swiftly… but after that, man I grew a beard waiting. But I guess I can’t expect much, it’s the DMV.

Like the freak that I am– I was already here waiting early morning so I can be the first in line… FIRST… To buy an ipad. Just kidding lame joke, to get an Illinois license since my Oregon one was stolen of course. (waaaah) I actually was second in line. I KNEW I shoulda ran! Or atleast shoved that old lady off the side walk then run. No? The lines here start early! Security then comes out and divides you into 2 lines– the good whores, and the bad whores. Just kidding. Jesus does that. They divide you into vehicle registration, stickers, all that crap in one line, the other is for state issued ID… Thank goodness for my smartphone to keep me company. Since having to drive to Indiana afterwards, I chose this location. I’m all about strategy people. Don’t worry, I was driving legally because Oregon had sent me a temporary driver’s license which expires after 90 days. Thanks Oregon because my temp DL was able to waive me that icky driving test.
My experience here took an hour but it was quick and one of the first people that assisted me was so helpful. I felt bad later having mouthed off to her at first when she was complaining how I shouldn’t have been handed a number until I was ready to approach the counter. (I was held up at another desk) I was told at first that I’d have to take a driving exam in addition to the written one but Patricia (that’s her name… I was staring at it while she diddle daddled on the computer) spoke to a supervisor and had it waived since I was already licensed in Oregon– yaaaaaay! She told me the other guys helping me were newer and don’t know what they’re doing. You tell ‘em Patricia!
On to the cashier, the written test and photo– I have a new license and I can go out now! (yes I still get carded). Most of the employees are super nice and made the dreaded experience pretty painless and quick. Especially when I was watching my exam get corrected– the guy reassured me, don’t worry you did good. Such nice, comforting folks.
I hope to never return but if I have to, it wasn’t so bad and I left so excited about finally having an ID again and I can move on to being able to fly and getting back that passport! I do have to say that I really like my driver’s license photo. It’s pretty! Now how many people can say that hmmm? :-p

Despite My overall positive experience, the DMV is still the last great bureaucracy in all of its bureaucratic glory. Still here are the good parts.
–I went through about 10 different lines, but never spent more then a minute or two in each.
–The government workers who helped me were friendly, chatty, and helpful.
–Despite all of the ‘stuff” one has to do to get an Illinois drivers license, they seemed to move people through rather efficiently.
–It took me about an hour overall, but I was taking care of a lot of business. i.e. relinquishing my MI drivers license for an Illinois one, taking a driving test, filling out forms, getting a picture, paying, re-​registering my car, paying again, filling out tax forms, etc. It all seemed pretty efficient.
–I also appreciated the guy at the front that directed me towards where I needed to be so I didn’t wander aimlessly.

Yay!
Another great experience at the DMV (who would have thought!?). I could have been done in less than 10 minutes (yes, really!) but I didn’t know that the DMV didn’t accept VISA, so I had to run down the street to the Walgreens to make a withdrawal to cover the renewing fee for my plates.
I’ll come back here for all my IL driving necessities!

I can’t believe I wouldn’t automatically default a DMV onto the negative star scale. I mean, having to go here is the WORST thing ever, but at least the 2 times I’ve been to this location, it hasn’t been 100% traumatic.
There’s a ‘traffic coordinator’ type desk who will scoot you in the direction you need to go so you don’t stand there looking confused. The lines are pretty well set up, and, get ready for the kicker — I didn’t wait in line here for more than 2 minutes either time! Crazy huh??? Everyone was actually nice and helpful. I know, this review just keeps getting more and more unbelievable.
It’s a chill location and you don’t have to deal with Elston traffic and chaos. I’ll be back. But only when I HAVE to be.