Department of Motor Vehicles

I surprisingly had a good experience here. I made an appointment for 12 on a Tuesday. The machine to check in was not working properly, so that took a few minutes to work out. The dmv was pretty much empty anyway! I was so surprised to walk in and see barely anyone there. They were calling people every minute or so. The longest I had to wait was 10 minutes because the girl to take the pictures was kind of walking around all over the place. It took me 40 minutes in and out. I been dreading going and putting it off since November, but I’m glad I went. I suggest making an appointment beforehand. I made my appointment only an hour before I arrived there.

I’m surprised at what a good experience I had here. Went in to register a vehicle and surrender plates. Wait was a little long (almost an hour) but the clerk I got was worth it. He had a great sense of humor and was very competent. More civil servants should be this way. He mentioned he was retiring in a few days, so DMV’s loss…

As all ways the systems never improve, I was waiting on line aolsmost an hour for the self service matchin and by the time I got my turn I found out the commercial license is not part of the systems, why not body bother to have any clue about it ???

Spent my entire day here, trying to transfer a title and get new plates. Extremely slow process

Worst DMV in NY. Avoid at all cost. Bring breakfast, lunch and dinner if you plan to come to this DMV. Bring a tent as well. You’ll be gone so long there’ll be a missing persons report.

I spent the entire morning and afternoon in this DMV yesterday. I came to transfer titles and apply for a new registration and plates. I waited for about 13 numbers in the morning which was roughly a 2 hour wait. Ridiculous right? To make matters worse, when it was my turn, the DMV tells me they cannot process anything because the effective date on my insurance starts the next day. So I tried calling Geico several times over the phone while I was there and they said they can’t do anything about it so I decided to just go home and come do this again on Tuesday (Monday is Columbus Day).
When I came home, I gave Geico one more call, I asked if they could simply change he effective date to today so that I can have my papers processed at the DMV. Luckily, this agent made the change. By now, it’s around 1 in the afternoon, the DMV closes at 4. I rushed back to the DMV, got a new ticket and I’m about 40 numbers away from being called. I was there past 4pm but they finally processed everything, gave me no issues and gave me my new plates!
Also, please note that the restroom here sucks. For a place that’s suppose to service thousands of people each day, I don’t understand why there’s only 1 bathroom for each gender. At least make a row of urinals and toilet stalls for the men’s room. And what’s even more annoying is the door doesn’t even lock. It’s completely busted. I can’t imagine if you gotta drop a deuce and have everyone walk in on you. Also, the parking lot in this DMV isn’t even free and it’s cash only! Street parking around the DMV is near impossible because every side street is a no standing zone. You have to drive up Ulmer Street and hopefully find a parking spot closer to the residential area.

Well, please allow me to share with you all my recent experience at this terrific Department of Motor Vehicles. I was in need of a revision to the registration on my Escalade and previously had bad experiences at other DMVs when registering my yacht and then again when registering my Jag, and then again when registering my ‘Vette… anyhow, I thought I would try out this branch in Queens!
My lovely secretary Henrietta had the foresight to make an appointment for me ahead of time on the internet and printed and filled in all of the necessary forms in advance. She programmed my GPS for me and set my desk clock alarm to the appropriate leave time to ensure I made my appointment!
She anticipated a bit of traffic, of which there was none. I therefore arrived about a quarter of an hour prior to my appointed time and decided «what the heck» and went on in to the facility. When I entered, the scene was quite imposing to be sure. There were people from all walks of life mulling around with slips of paper and forms and babies, and satchels of all colors in hand. It reminded me a bit of the wonderful outdoor bazaars Yvonne and I had visited in Bombay many years ago. There were people in uniform, construction workers, men in ill fitting suits, men in properly fitted suits (although very few)… there were monitors and screens and numbers flashing and an ominous voice over the loudspeaker announcing all manner of things. If one were not as seasoned and cultured as I, one might be very intimidated by the atmosphere of this establishment. I confidently proceeded to the check-​in stand and gave the young man my appointment form. He traded me for a small ticket and kindly asked me to have a seat and wait for my number.
I sat down next to a lovely young lady who seemed to be having a somewhat heated conversation with someone I can only imagine was her love interest. I tried to tune her out and pulled out my smart phone to play a bit of minesweeper to pass the time. Not three minutes into my first round (I am very efficient at Minesweeper and was doing quite well) my number was called! I couldn’t believe my eyes when my number was displayed on the master board above! I saved my game and hopped right out of my seat!
As I approached the designated counter, I couldn’t help but notice that the young woman standing behind it was quite lovely. I must admit that after my late wife Yvonne’s unfortunate demise some few years ago, I seem to have such encounters quite often! Well, as I settled in and began explaining to the young woman what my intentions were, with my Escalade that is, she paid exceptional attention to my requests. I handed her the previously completed forms and she was most impressed with my efficiency and organization and very likely the Jos. A. Bank suit I was wearing at the time. As she examined my documentation, I noticed a fabulous aroma coming from her. Somewhat of a piquant, exotic aroma, which made me think of freshly grated nutmeg sprinkled over a piping hot mug of hot cocoa. After she deftly finalized my paperwork, very much to my surprise, she produced a brand new license plate right there on the spot! I couldn’t believe my eyes… she reached under her counter and pulled it right out! At this point, it was I who was impressed by HER! She set the plate aside, kindly asked for payment (for which I handed her my AMEX Black) and processed payment. In a matter of 5 minutes our transaction was complete! She then handed me the license plate and I must tell you that our hands touched briefly. It was just a graze, but it was skin on skin nonetheless. Our eyes met… and the moment was wonderful. Fleeting to be sure, but wonderful. I told her that when I come back to pick up my custom plate (LOGISTIX) I will most certainly put in a request to come to her window! I gave her a smile, and a wink, and I went on my way.
As I walked back through the chaos of the rest of the facility, past the weeping children, the bedraggled young workman, and the downtrodden livery types… I couldn’t help but think that the experience of this Department of Motor Vehicles, and the young lady behind the counter, and the expedience with which I was processed, was perhaps the most enjoyable experience I had ever had a government agency. Truly magnificent!
I would recommend this facility to anyone in need of any type of vehicular processing.
Thank you for your time.
Dabney Lacey
CEO and Founder, Lacey Logistics

3 stars means A-​OK (or at least average, acceptable). I’ve been to this DMV 3 times and accomplished what I needed to get done without any issues. This DMV serves a large population, so it’s only fair that there is just going to be a wait. I disagree with some of the reviews complaining about unreasonable expectations. Expect to wait. It is not an unreasonable expectation. There are a lot of staffed counters, so it’s not like the DMV is not responsive to the demand.
No free parking.

Worse experience waited two hours and still left without my kids non drivers lic they are so and just sit at their desk doing nothing before they call the next victim I’d rather go to Rochdale or Jamaica than here people two hours

Is it perfect? No, of course not. It’s mass chaos in there. But if you make an appointment online in advance and show up on time for it, you should be in and out within a half hour for most stuff.
I want to thank Mr. Marte in particular for his help while I was there. Couldn’t have been a nicer, more helpful person. Took all your worst DMV stereotypes and threw them in the trash.
One downside: parking. You’ve got to pay $ 4 for the right to battle fellow citizens for spots in a completely jammed-​up pay lot with one-​way sections all over the place. I’d recommend trying to park next door at Baby’s R Us and walk over, maybe a half mile or so. I don’t know if that’s even possible, but anything’s better than trying to navigate the crazies in that lot.

I wish there is a negative star in Unilocal.Fxxk this place. The staffs act like I fxxking owe their money. They never explain things clear when you are trying to figure out the problem, the only thing they would do is just sending you to another department, even another window… Screw you

Came in on Monday morning at 8:30am just as the line was shuffling into the building. They have a quicker more efficient method now of sorting people into appropriate queues and making sure no ones time is wasted by checking all docs at reception before they step up to the window/​attendants. I went there to transfer ownership of the car from my dad to me and register the vehicle. Barely waited for 5 mins before my number was called.
Make sure you have all documents prepared (which they appreciate) and you’ll be out of there in 30 mins like me!
I got my new plates and removed the old ones right in the dmv parking lot. Then went right back into the dmv and got back in line to surrender the old plates. That also took only 15 mins.
Good job DMV for all the vast improvements! I brought two books to keep myself entertained but that wasn’t necessary at all! :)
Only downside is you’re charged for parking there. Which kind of makes sense so the parking lot doesn’t get overloaded.

We don’t go to DMV because we want be be there, we have to, but because all the requirements to get a licensee or plates or what ever it is. Lines are usually so long, which means there is not enough staff for the business they do; in addition like waiting is not enough DMV dares to even charge a parking lot fee. This is absolutely outrageous. That will be just like paying a toll when going through the drive thru of a McDonald’s.
This is abuse of power.
Is government fixing this issue or are they just part of the scam?
Please let us be hear respectful.

You guys might think I’m crazy for giving a DMV 5 stars but, trust me, MAKE AN APPOINTMENT! I had to change the name on my license and put it off for 8 months because I really wanted to avoid the dmv at all costs. I was very pleased when I went on the website the night before to check the address and found out that I can make a reservation.
I came in the next morning for my 10:30am appointment, scanned the barcode, and sat down. I was called up at 10:31am. The guy at the window was surprisingly very polite and friendly with me (the lady that took my pic — not so much). Anyways, I was out and about IN 24 MINUTES!!! Best DMV experience ever.
Also, I got my new license in 1 week instead of 2 ½ like they said.

As far as dmvs go, I’ve been to worse. I’ve has mixed experiences here. The first time was so quick and the guy doing my paperwork was actually pretty nice. This time the staff has been rude and I’ve been waiting a long time for my number which is only 10 away

If you live in Flushing, this location is convenient.
I went there to get an ID. I initially wanted an enhanced ID. When I went to the info desk, she gave me a form and told me I needed all the required IDs and proof of residency. When I asked her what qualifies as proof of residency, she told me some examples but it wasn’t clear what other items I could use. She gave me a form but it didn’t say anything about utility bills as proof and whether I could use anything else. I was extremely pissed because I got there and that I had to go back and get another item, something they did not explain on their website.
Thankfully, I was smart enough to ask another worker about proof of residency. She said I didn’t need proof. So when I finally got to the counter, they said I did indeed need proof of residency to get an enhanced ID but if I wanted a regular ID, they didn’t need the residency info. Something the woman at the desk could have told me. So I ended up getting a regular state ID. But proof that the staff member at the info desk who assigns you a number is EXTREMELY unhelpful. Beware.
Two stars since I the rest of the staff were nice and it only took me an hour to submit all the forms to get an ID. I’ll get it in 2 weeks.

In 2006, the demographic of employees operating this DMV comprised of aggressive, incredibly offensive, cognitively indolent humanoid staff.
In 2015, it’s like I’m at a DMV in Florida.
Either through restructuring, retraining or a desperation for jobs, the employees now installed put professionalism into practice with a smile.
I made a appointment on their website, and upon walking into the DMV at 9am, I barely had a chance to sit down before my number was displayed. I proceeded to the window, showed ID, paid my fee to renew my license… and was off to DunkinDoughnuts for a victory bagel.
Parking is now «paid» which wasn’t the case back in 06.
I see vast improvement (s), and it’s appreciated.
Unilocal!!!

Horrible location. Need to pay for the parking. No street parking anywhere. Customer service got better but they still lack proper communication as if they speak a different language. Everything is ambiguous. There are some very nice people but most seem indifferent about your needs. This is their biggest fail. They treat adults like kids who don’t understand, while they fail to communicate properly. Almost reminded me of elementary school teachers who couldn’t communicate well with students. Everyone is wrong except themselves.

I know the DMV is considered one of the worst places to be in NYC, but, actually, my experience today was fine.
All I was doing was getting a NYS ID card, so I knew I’d be in and out, but it made an appointment online for 9 anyway at this kind of out of the way office in College Point, Queens. I knew it would be better than the one in Jamaica. There was a short line waiting to get in at 8:30, but it moved well once the doors opened and everything proceeded in an orderly manner.
I would say close to 80 percent of the folks waiting on line were non English speakers, and the people in the DMV were very helpful in giving them language cards to understand the forms.
I was in by 8:35 and out the door by around 9:15. All the staff were attentive and quick, in particular the women who helped me.
If you need to renew your license or get a permit or ID come here if you are in Queens. Make an appointment online to be sure you are in and out fast.

Death in a box (or in a large room). Man, 3 hours of my life gone. I wish I could get a refund… On the bright side, got my Learners Permit!
The DMV is a torture unlike any other. Waiting for your number to be called, dealing with staff that obviously doesn’t care about costumer service, all in a very dirty building. If nature ever calls during your 3+ hour wait then go find a bush because just opening the door to the single bathroom causes a stench of death.
If you need to go to the DMV come prepared to wait.