Department of Motor Vehicles

This location have the most incompetent staff. They can’t handle complicated immigration status of their applicants. I went here twice to get a learner’s permit and the lady that assisted me have little knowledge how to handle my case. They didn’t give me a chance to apply because they’re looking for documents that are obviously not needed. I came with all my documents and they still rejected them saying I should go to my embassy to have my passport stamped?! FYI, they don’t do visa stamping when you are already in the US! All I had to provide was my INS documents. The immigration paper with the status was right in front of them. They make up new requirements. I’m going to the location in manhattan where I know the staff are knowledgeable and know what they are doing.

Made an appointment online beforehand to get an ID. Was in and out in less than 15 minutes, plus the staff was pleasant and courteous. The most painless DMV experience ever!

#1 thing to do: Fill out the form you need beforehand. When they open doors, they will separate ppl with pre-​completed forms from those without. And they will let the former in first.
#2: make an appointment online if you can, or go by/​before 11am
#3: use any practice tests featured on dmv online, the real tests use the same questions with the same multiple choice options.
#4: be prepared for some condescension and cattle-​herding from dmv employees, mug positive
#5: be prepared for incivility and cattle-​like stampeding from fellow dmv applicants. game face on.
#6: go home and reread Leviathan. It all makes sense.

Avoid the wait in the DMV located at Fordham Rd. This one is not as crowded, the staff seem to know what they are talking about and are extremely helpful!

Get there before 10 and you’ll have a smooth ride. The employees were attentive, respectful, and FAST!!! I had a wonderful experience.

4 STAR REVIEWS?! Please… these people either work for the DMV or are horrendously high on some type of drug. The latter wouldn’t surprise me, having just spent three and a half hours here with some of Earth’s finest specimens. 2 typical slothlike malcontents working the counter and a room full of at least 200 victims– do the calculations in your head if you have the mental faculties. Maybe drugs would have been the wise choice in order to make this experience less painful…
Speaking of drugs– I wish the «staff» had been on crystal meth to make the experience faster. You’re all extaordinarily terrible at a menial job– enjoy your shitty lives. It should be easy with your grossly inflated government paychecks.

What? A four-​star rating for the DMV? Well, yeah, and imagine how surprised I was!
I had put off heading to the DMV for a few days because I was expecting drama. I didn’t get any at all. Their hours say 8:30, but they opened the doors and let people in a few minutes early because it was a bit cold outside. Everyone filed in, got their forms, and did their thing. I was 10^th in line (more or less) but second up to the information counter. I got my number, was called a few minutes later, handed over my renewal form for my license, was given my eye test, paid, and was out the door at 8:29.
No kidding!
It’s fast, efficient, and the employees were courteous. While this branch will only do license-​related transactions, it’s not a hassle in any way and there’s plenty of on-​street parking (if you get there early enough). All in all, it was a good experience at the DMV; something I don’t think I’ve ever actually had, and New York State should be commended for doing well just as they’re criticized for doing badly.
Next time, I won’t put the trip off.