Texas Department of Public Safety

What a great experience, very friendly staff and clear processes. The waiting times where very acceptable and communication with the employees went smooth and professional

This place has lots of seats which is super awesome, and a lot larger and quicker to get through than any other DPS I’ve been to in the area. Then there is the staff… I had a difficult time believing that all of the staff here could be cold (as I had read many times in previous comments) but then I needed to ask the women at the front desk a question. I guess that I didn’t realize that I was speaking to grinch 1 and grinch 2 and that the only thing coming out of my mouth was «Christmas is great, right!» because the evil glare on their faces was that of a two year old who was told no dessert because they didn’t eat their broccoli. Wow, if looks could kill! Their training must consist of sitting on tacks till they master their glare, sub zero temperatures to freeze it in place, and then no bathroom breaks to ensure nobody could warm the ice that incapsulated them. If any staff is reading this, I hope you have the GREATEST most sunshine filled day ever with butterflies and all. If nobody appreciates you, know that I am grateful for my DL renewal and I look forward to seeing your snarling faces again in another 5 – 6 years.

This location is huge and works like an impersonal electronic machine, complete with computerized check-​in screens, attention-​getting doorbells, robotic announcements calling you to the appropriate station, and airport-​worthy scrolling screens to let you know your place in line.
It moves fast, but the whole process is as complicated as always when dealing with the Texas DPS. There are a stack of forms to fill out for everything, some of which can be filled out in advance, some in boxes along the wall, and at least one that you’ll think you took care of that you didn’t. Check in again at the information desk to speak with a human before you waste your time needlessly.
For certain licenses, you have to make an appointment online far in advance, and for some you can get in line in advance. If you make an appointment, beware that the fine print somewhere at the bottom of an unknown page will tell you to get there an hour in advance. They have a dense text 11-​point-​font printed out page in a stand there on the information desk to mock you with if you’re late (i.e., less than an hour early). The bottom paragraph is highlighted in yellow, but otherwise is fairly unnoticeable.
Why they don’t factor this need for an extra hour into the appointment time or make it a prominent notice when you sign up, PERHAPS IN ALL CAPS OR IN BOLD, I can’t say, except that it’s Texas and it’s the government, and they must derive some satisfaction from watching people sweat or cry when they tell them they may have to come back another day. So plan to get there as if you’re going to the airport.
Nevertheless, if you live in north Austin, this location currently is a better bet for availability and speed than the branch on 183, which is tiny and unforgivably slow. This one seems built to accommodate all of north Austin.
It’s just a bit of a hike out for some of us. Worth it if you or your nervous teenager have to take a driving test, though, to avoid having to prove your mettle in front of an officer in the Austin traffic. That will come later, after you have your license in your hot little hand. May the force be with you.

Yes. It’s set up to move fast. But I did not expect to sign up with my phone as soon as I walked into the door. They would text message me back when I was up next. I was in the middle of filling out a long form when I got a text message saying I was next. Then I got another text message that said that since I didn’t respond quickly enough they had to take my spot and when I was ready I was supposed to text a «J» in the text. If you are not so high tech on phones, not sure what happens. I had read on internet that if you did not put yourself in line with phone, you got a number, but I didn’t see that being used.
I guess if you go there enough times you already know what to do — but when you renew your license like once every 6 years you’ll probably need a little bit more preparation before you go to the office there.
For example, If I knew which form I was going to need to complete, I would have liked to complete and review before I arrived.
Lots of parking, lots of room. Plenty of staff to help. I just felt a little lost at the entrance.

Everyone recommended me to go to this DMV. While their service is fast and efficient, the staff are incredibly rude and always has an attitude. Seriously, don’t waste your energy on these people, regardless you’ll get nothing but monotone voices, blank stares, and get treated like you’re stupid.

I really like this office. Everything is always so convenient and fast! HOWEVER, you look all over the website and holiday hours say Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I try to «get in line» online and by phone and am rejected. BUT like I mentioned everything online says they are open today. Drive all the way over here from Hutto… Closed. I know it’s government and I should just expect they would screw my day, but this is so avoidable! Post your damn hours if you’re not going to be open.

Holy crap! I had to do a replacement license and I was «in and out» in maybe ten minutes. As soon as I walked in the door, there were kiosks where you plugged your cell phone number in, and I was immediately texted that my wait time was one minute. Before I had time to complete the form, I was texted that they were ready for me at station six. A few minutes (and an agreeably flattering picture) later, I was done. I’ve spent longer in the parking lot doing this review than I spent renewing my license.
As a point of data, I arrived at five pm on an average Wednesday afternoon.

I know it is crazy to see 5 stars but truly they deserve it. I am in the process of changing my last name and I came in on a Wednesday at 5:20 pm and signed into the kiosk and immediately received a text saying my wait time is under 10 minutes. Challenge accepted! I kept an I eye on my time and was called/​received a text that it was my turn in about 6 minutes.
I completed the wrong form before I got there and the guy that was helping me gave me the right form and let me complete at his desk while he started the process. I ended up leaving about 5:35 only because I filled out the wrong form :)
The guy that was helping me did mention that the busiest times are summer and winter break when all the kids are taking their tests and getting permits. There is plenty of seating area and stations so I couldn’t imagine how long the wait would be during their «busy» seasons, probably not that long!

The WORST service ever. They won’t allow you to pay anything at this location and then they won’t help you figure out how to do it online. When asking for help they push you to over to wait while they just sit there and do nothing.

The pros were a very short wait time and the guy got me processed in a short amount of time. The con was that there was a disinterested, borderline rude employee who answered my questions with answers like, «bring the forms they tell you to» or «look online for the answer,» etc. Luckily I was in a good mood since I got my paperwork processed with minimum hassle, otherwise I would have given her a Texas-​sized piece of my mind.

Went for an address change on my driver license and was in and out in 19 minutes. I went on a Thursday morning around 8 am.
Wall screens showing where you are in line really helps a long way instead of being forced to listen to every announcement.
Pleasant staff… keep up the good work.

I was in an out in 30 minutes, WHAT!!! I couldn’t believe it.
Lots of parking. Attendant waiting to greet you when you walk in. At 10am my wait time was 3 minutes, it was all visible on a screen how long we were expected to wait and how many people in front of us.
I got a license for a new Texas resident and she didn’t question all of my documents, like I was worried about, it was painless and easy and fast! Highly recommend.

I’m updating my review based on our experience in Feb 2015 with our daughter taking her driving test.
We had already decided after our experience two years ago with our son that if Leslie, the examiner he had, got in the car with her we were rescheduling the test and leaving. Leslie was no where to be seen so we thought we were good to go.
Except not so fast… my daughter’s car was new and we didn’t have an insurance card for it yet. It was my fault, it slipped my mind that we would need it for the test. My husband logged into our insurance account and had the digital copy, but we needed to print it. So we go to the counter to reschedule her test & the gentleman helping us said we could call and ask the insurance company to fax the copy of the card to the dps. Since my husband had the digital card already, we ask if there is any way we can email it to him to print for us. He gives us his email address and happily prints the card and gives us another appointment time that is just a few minutes away. Again, no Leslie the tester so she’s ready to drive. Her tester was very nice. He offered a few tips on things she could improve, but she passed with flying colors.

This place is as good as Walmart for people watching.
They were organized and pretty quick… Well considering it’s still the DMV

Three of us went in to get our licenses transferred, and we were in and out in less than an hour. Spacious and clean facility, efficient system with the touchscreens to check in and get a number, and friendly service from the people working there. The forms are organized, pens are plentiful, and there’s someone to help wherever you need it. I don’t think I’ve ever had a better DMV/​DPS experience!

So, I had a driver’s test, yesterday, at the Pflugerville Mega-​Center. I showed up, but unfortunately I had inadvertently thrown away my good insurance card, keeping the expired one, and was told I couldn’t drive. I asked if there was anything that could be done, I needed to take the test!, so the instructor told me to go inside and ask to speak to a supervisor.
That’s where I met Sheri (Sheri, I apologize if I’m spelling your name wrong!). Sheri was _​amazing_​! So many people, here, have complaints about people not smiling (and I’ll get to that in a moment), and while Sheri _wasn’t_ all smiles, she was professional and down to it like nobody else! She had me call my insurer, she gave me the fax number for them to send the new card to, she was gentling and calmed me down (because I _​really_​needed to take the test, and was upset that I couldn’t), and she was completely on top of it once the new card arrived! She got me back into the queue (despite it being twenty minutes past four), and on my way to taking my road test.
Her efforts were invaluable, and she has my tremendous thanks.
Now, just want to make note on the issue people have with folks, here, not smiling. At the desk, a very young, very sweet young woman named Lawakah was so-​many-​teeth-​worth-​of-​smiles she radiated cheer! I’m not even kidding! =D Beyond her sunny disposition, she helped me check in, answering various questions I had, and even cleared up a little appointment confusion created by the automated system.
Lawakah made me feel right at home, and her positivity and her charm are two assets that made my visit to the TDoPS one to write about!
Finally, and I feel terrible that I don’t have her name written down (because it started with ‘Gen’), but the woman I drove with was also incredibly professional. She was clear in her expectations, clear about what role she’d play in the car, and even went as far as to try to calm the driver’s nerves, making sure we knew she wasn’t there to trick us. I just found her extremely polished. I owe her my biggest thanks, possibly, for helping me get my very first Texas Driver’s License!
Outside of these personal anecdotes, the facility is big, they move a high volume of people through it with as much precision and ease as they can. They are as flexible as the law allows them to be, and for the most part, egos aren’t a concern. I can’t say that I didn’t see _​any_​, because that wouldn’t be true, but what I can say is that I think this facility is first class. If you have to get your license renewed, this would be my choice– now and in the future!

Is it me and my household that have to pay up to three times to get our license renewal.
I went and renew it on November 27.
As today March 13 2015 I haven’t received it yet.
My temporary card expires 5 days ago .
So guess what.
I’ll have to go an pay again.
The worst part is that same thing happen last time I renew it and also my wife had to triple pay last time.

Yeah, consider me shocked. I hope this is the way of the future for government, because my experience here was pretty out of the ordinary, and I, dare I say it, enjoyed it. This is clearly built to handle large volumes of people, and now I know why I have friends that say they only will come here, even if it’s not close by.
You walk in and get to sign in via a touch-​screen TV (in English or Spanish). Ok, that’s pretty neat. Instant text message to tell you the estimated wait time (for me, it was accurately 3 minutes). Then they have someone directing you to the forms area so you can get a headstart on filling them out. All the while, a refreshing futuristic-​style voice is calling out the next people to be served by the last 4 digits of your cell # (in English or Spanish). And you also get a text when you’re the next person in line. Pretttttttty neato, I must say.
My actual customer service rep was alright; she was fast and thorough, but not 100% cheerful like some of the other people I saw nearby. Still, I had a great experience, and you bet I will only be coming to this location from now on for anything I need from the DPS.

Great infrastructure, state of the art faculty in Pflugerville. Friendly staff. Awesome online appointment system. Location easy to find. What more can you ask for? I actually saw people happy and smiling and sharing friendly chit chat with the administrative staff. Tax dollars at work!
Tip for work visa immigrants — do not go without the latest I-​94 and stamped visa. I-​797 is not accepted. Although recently I heard that they renewed licensed for some folks with I-​797. So i guess it’s case by case.

The Pflugerville DPS «Mega-​Center» license office is soooo fast…
(How fast is it?)
— It’s so fast, that Vin Diesel went, and didn’t even have time to get furious!
— It’s so fast that Usain Bolt was heard saying, while driving away in a Bugatti Veyron after making an address change on his license, «Man, was THAT fast!»
Seriously… I just went to the website before I left work, put in my phone number, and it told me to be there in 16 minutes. Sure enough, 16 minutes later, I got a text saying to report to «Window 12». Since I was still stuck in traffic on Wells Branch, it said I lost my place in line (whomp whomp), but to text when I got there. So, I did that, while pulling into the parking lot. (Oh, errrrr… after being parked, of course.) One minute later, a text said to report to «Window 10». At that point, I realized I needed a paper form, so I had to text back again (apparently, once you are at the front of the line, text back within 120 minutes to regain your spot at the front). Now, with filled-​out form in hand, I sat down. One minute later, they were ready for me a third time.
So, yeah, my biggest problem with the Pflugerville DPS office is they wanted to help me three times before I was ready.
My second biggest problem is that the entrance driveway could be a little smoother (*scraaaaaaaaape*), unless you are going slower than 5 mph as you turn in.
Other than that, what else could I ask for? Ok… Being handed a free snow ice as you walk in would be nice… And it wouldn’t even be melted before you’re done!
4.98 stars.