Motor Vehicle Division

Worst experience at a DMV ever. In addition to waiting in line for an hour (which is to be expected) they were 100% unsuccessful in helping me figure out how to transfer my license and registration over to AZ residency.
Basically, after handing over my current license and birth certificate, I was told that the information was insufficient; I needed a passport (I’m from TN — we don’t live near any borders, so I’ve never needed one); handed a packet on emissions testing; and brushed out the door.
Dear Arizona officer who is bound to pull me over eventually — I did try. But I guess maybe the internet is a lot better than the human beings you got working registration.

Let’s face it, everyone dreads the MVD. I almost don’t want to review this hidden gem because well, I’m selfish. How often do we see an efficient MVD office with friendly staff ready to serve the public? Exactly!!! See Monica at window 6. She’s a unicorn. Love her. Friendly. Customer service oriented and she makes you smile.

Unbelievable FAST, FRIENDLY and efficient service! I’m blown away by how nice everyone was… big smiles, kind conversation, joking attitudes and everyone seemed genuinely happy to work there!
Each customer service rep has a card on their desk with their full name so that you can go to
to leave a review of their service.
It’s a Thursday morning… I was there to change my last name and I was in and out in under 20 minutes!!!

First of all it’s the DMV. Not High Tea at The Phoenician resort. Lower your expectations!
All the reviews on here about this place seem written from the wrong perspective. Did you think you were going to a spa? Or perhaps to a Bird-​watching discussion of The Great-​Tailed Grackle? You are going to the dmv, for vehicular licensing, registration, testing and everything in between. It’s a busy place run by civic workers doing a monotonous job dealing with endless throngs of recalcitrant people. Give them credit where it is due. So I will:
The first thing one learns when seeking out a nearby dmv office in downtown Phoenix is that their dt location ONLY SERVICES CIVIC EMPLOYEES. They don’t tell you that on their website. That is a demerit point from me. Bad info wastes peoples’ time. I was directed by the helpful security guard at the front door to choose between 2 other locations. He suggested the one on Olympic as it’s the furthest away and not quite as busy as the nearer one.
I took his advice and headed into South Phoenix.
To begin, the young woman at the Info Desk, everyone’s first stop was EFFICIENT! She had that line moving! Direct and to the point with no attitude either way. This woman gets it done.
I told her I needed to apply for an AZ DL as I had recently emigrated from Canada. She quickly looked at my BC license and determined that I needed only write the 2 tests (car and motorcycle) to uphold my present driving privileges, but no need to to a road-​test. She then checked my vision and promptly gave me a number sent me to the photo counter to wait my turn.
My number was called right away and the guy at booth 1, also efficient and friendly, took my mug-​shot. I was then directed to go back into General population to wait my turn for part 2– the tests!
Now whenever you go to the dmv remember: It’s busy. There are many people there from all walks of life: Old folks, newbies, kids, immigrants (like myself), locals and their friends and often entire families.
Bring a book. Or homework. Or your music. You will have to wait. But to be fair I have never waited more than 20min to be called. My Doctor often has me waiting for 45min!
The random numbering system they use that Unilocalers complain about because it doesn’t follow sequential order is for a reason:
If you KNOW that you have #265 and they are now serving #192 in order, you will likely assume a long wait and lollygag off somewhere to kill time: go for a smoke, go sleep in your car, go for a stroll, go get take-​out and a million other things people with the assumption of time-​to-​kill get up to. They are FASTER than you think! There are 20 counters taking customers. The more time they waste looking for you «#265? Calling #265? #265?! Anyone? Last call #265!» The longer we all wait. The random number generation ensures that you will stay-​put with you eyeballs glued to the «Now serving # so-​and-​so» screen. This was proven in many studies to be the most efficient was to get through a ticketed queue. Look it up. Plus when your number gets called yell «BINGO!» it never gets old trust me!
The woman who who served my number was polite, gregarious and helpful. She set me up right away with the tests and even wished me luck. Within 1 hr from arriving I had a shiny new Arizona DL in my hand.
Thanks DMV. Buckle Up!

It’s a DMV. Don’t expect friendly service, fast service, or honestly any service.
You go to the information counter when you first arrive and the girl checks that you have all your information in order. She will then give you a number. They are very smart with the number system, it’s not your typical 1 – 1000, it’s random blocks of 100’s. This gives the illusion that your wait is not going to be as long as it really is. But it’s just an illusion.
Kudos for licenses lasting until you retire. Boo for the fact that SB 1070 means that my license only lasts until the expiration of my green card.
Also, while I was there the ID printer broke down, and when it was finally repaired they «lost» my application.

Within seconds of walking in I got a «Damn!» from a young gentleman standing next to his girlfriend. Gotta love when men disrespect their girlfriends right in front of them.
I went in the middle of the day, in the middle of the week, hoping to avoid lines. I received help in 20 – 30 minutes at a window and had a woman who was expecting me to be a huge B to her and had her defenses up.
I managed to schmooze and get her to smile and hopefully brighten her day slightly. It’s a typical DMV, not too amazing, not feeling too safe while I was there but the reason why it went down two stars was that I believe there need to be more bilingual people that work there. I saw many people who needed assistance while I was there that could not be helped and it was depressing. This area is just like Guadalupe and needs more Spanish speaking employees. That’s all.

Yeah, it’s not pleasant.
But at least you’re well informed as to what number they’re on and they have lots of places to sit down, in a/​c comfort.

Hate the wait and why is this place not open on Saturday? People do have jobs and there are more personal costs involved when you leave work early to come here for a required transaction. ALL about the government.
You gotta be kidding…

M830
Only stared at our number for about 20 minutes if even that. We made sure and went early. Early meaning 9:00am. We were very courteously helped by two ladies immediately upon entering the MVD, or is it DMV. Anyways, they answered all our questions regarding our car registration.
Now, the public. Hmmm… The public or customers should I say in this area are not that economically well to do. So. hmm…there was a couple next to us being helped and the guy was clearly drunk or on something because it sounded like he was told something that he did not want to hear and he just got up and pushed his chair away and stormed out mumbling something. My husband at one point asked me if I wanted to go sit in the car when the little’un was being rowdy and I turned to him and said, no way, I did not feel safe out in the parking lot by my self. Looking around the room it self, there were just a ton of sad faces staring blankly in to space waiting for their number to be called.
So after waiting for about 20 minutes we were helped by Mary at Station 8. She was a joy. When we asked her some questions, she patiently answered and also made nice comments about our family. When she forgot to hand us the registration form that had printed on her printer and we had to point out, she promptly apologized. Mary had a smile on her face from the beginning to the end while helping us.
When leaving my husband made the comment that this was the best MVD experience he had ever had and I completely agree. I never would have thought I would give a MVD place 5 stars but here they are. Thanx Mary!

F724
She didn’t even look at me, didn’t bother asking why I was entering her place of business, didn’t reply when I spoke and in no way acknowledged that I was even in her presence. Just handed me a ticket and was done with me. If this happened anywhere else, I would make an effort to never return, tell all my friends how horrible this experience was, and write a scathing review about the deplorable customer service of this business. Sadly, this was my Saturday morning at the DMV, a place I think is modeled after the agonizing depths of Hell. With the same musac score playing… and the same voracious stench in the air. and the same spastic children running around (only in my version of Hell, it’s politicians campaigning around me).
So, I was already running late because I had to complete my emissions test early. Those nice people there not only told me there were only three DMVs open on Saturdays, they gave me a map. How precious. I was fortunate enough to be near one of the only DMVs open on Saturday (Seriously? Three DMVs open on Saturday for the entire Valley?) After receiving such a magnificent welcome, I knew this was quickly going to be among the most painful experiences of my life. To simplify what was so bad, let me make a list of what I feel constitutes acceptable behavior in public:
1) Bathe. The combination of water and soap, along with massaging the skin, creates an outcome that is most pleasing. Be sure to scrub behind your ears and reference this website about another notorious spot :

2) Sit still. Yes, I know we’re all waiting here for about an hour. But tapping your foot, rocking back and forth in your chair or bouncing your leg aren’t going to make time go any faster. Trust me, I was watching the clock. If you feel anxious, get up and walk around.
3) Leash your children. If they cannot sit quietly, leave them in the car. It’s winter, they’ll be fine. It’s not cute when your little monster is running up and down the aisles with his honey bun squeezing out between his fingers. It’s even more not cute when he fake-​falls five times in a row right in front of me.
4) Maintain quiet tones and ensure appropriate conversations when taking/​making calls. To the lady behind me, I’m sorry you’re not that experienced in stripping. The first thought that popped into my mind was you had a failed audition for Le Girl. Thanks to your continued conversation, I was able to figure out you were a woodworker.
5) Acknowledge the humans around you. Yeah, I get it. I’m not that big. In fact, if I turn sideways I disappear. But, I’m still right in front of you so pay attention, quit bumping in to me and hitting my leg. Unless that was flirting, in which case you really need to find someone more your level.
Oh, the DMV: You have a brilliant recipe for dashing dreams and gutting humanity. And you manage to do it in a painfully lit room that reeks of a combination of my brother’s old gym shoes and my dad’s dirty underwear. There has to be an award for that, but I don’t have the motivation to research it.
Oh, and F724 was my number upon entering. I spent and hour and 15 minutes looking at that slip of paper. Just so you know, that one star is for the website (which should probably get 3 – 4 stars but anchors like this oft sink the ship).
Le sigh…
Open T-​Sa 8:00am — 5:00pm; information only after 4:30pm