Southland Registrations

I had a very different experience then some of the below comments. The one review is absolutely disgusting and unnecessary, in my opinion. The other reviews are coming from people who should only be upset with themselves for failing the exams, not the teachers.
I had Michelle for my drivers test and she was great. She made me feel very comfortable behind the wheel, when it can be a little nerve racking. We even had a bit of small chit chat. My 2 sisters also ended up having her for their tests and they loved her as well. Thank you Michelle.
I also had Darryl when getting off of my GDL and he was great too. Very friendly and also made me feel comfortable with some light chit chat throughout the exam.
I live closer to the Shawnessy registry but I go out of my way to go to southland because I just find all the staff there a lot more friendly then the staff @ the Shawnessy location.

This place has terrible customer service! I came in, took a number and waited for 20 minutes then they called my number and someone else waked up to the counter before me and claimed to have my number, I politely corrected the person and the clerk working told me that she might as well just help that person first and I can just keep waiting and see the next available clerk. I signed up for Unilocal and I’m writing my review while I’m still waiting.

Yikes! There are some interesting and entertaining reviews below lol… My reason for visiting Southland Registrations wasn’t for a driver’s test, so unfortunately no entertaining story from me. We actually visited Southland Registrations for a Marriage License :). They’re open 7 days a week, so hopping in over the weekend was no problem! We also checked out their website ahead of time and although it’s not the prettiest site, it is very comprehensive! They listed out exactly what we needed, what the fee was and even made sure to note that we must come in at least 30 minutes prior to close to allow for sufficient time. Compared to some of the other registry sites I looked at, it was much better; a lot more information and more transparent, most sites didn’t have their fees listed at all. This made it much easier to know what to expect without having to call and play 21 questions. They even offer some services online.
It wasn’t overly busy when we got there and the parking lot is big enough to support customer parking even if it was. When we first approached the counter we were given the form and asked to take a ticket even though it wasn’t very busy. I’m all for ticket systems, but I find them a bit redundant for situations that don’t dictate them, I think it would be better if they used it only when busy, not when I can clearly see three open wickets. Anyways… back to the form! The form followed the requirements laid out on their website so there were no surprises.
The girl helping us was polite and didn’t give us any added grief. She was not the horrid DMV stereotype that seems to exist, very easy to deal with and she was able to process our request professionally and efficiently, she was even friendly! For payment you’ll have to pay 3% if you use credit card, never a fan of places doing this as they’re transferring their costs onto customers which doesn’t seem justified since it should be a business cost.
Overall pretty good experience, I’d definitely go back for any of my registry needs. They won a Consumer Choice Award and have been in business for over 20 years, so they really can’t be that bad. ATB Financial has also opened up an Agency with them and I doubt they’d partner with a business that has a bad reputation. All in all, seems like they have a good professional track record and they haven’t given me reason to think they don’t deserve it.

WASTE OF TIME & MONEY (AND DIGNITY). Michelle (a real bi**h) is there to fail you no matter what. She contradicted herself but I guess she thinks her opinion is above the law. She failed me because in a 3 way stop I did not wait for the other car to start going (that car was not going anyways), then at the very next 3 way stop she failed me because I waited too long to go. WTF??? And check this, in the first situation the other car had the right of way but was not moving, on the second I had the right of way but I just waited for the car in the intersection to come to a full stop before I keep going. On both situations we arrived and stopped at the same time; but she said: «you have to pay attention who stopped first, even if it is a fraction of a milisecond» Can somebody tell me how to measure or eyeball a fraction of a millisecond? Also, she said, is because you did not start that the other car started going (but that was exactly what I had done before and she totally dissaproved of).
She also exagerates when giving you feedback saying (and speaking louder), «because you did not start going (from a stop sign), the car behind you is going to smash rear end you BOOOM!!! just like that». Ive never seen that happened from a full stop but anyways I guess is her power trip. Also she is kind of rude and will give attitude I.e. she would purse her lips and roll her eyes on you (if you rent a car and are not familiarized with that particular model).
At the registry, you have to take a number, which does not guarantee you are going to be assisted in an orderly maner. They just ask whoever is standing there how can they help without considering if that person took a number or not (that happened to me), they do not call by number.
I should have paid attention to all the comments here and in Unilocal.I know they are not there to entertain people, but definitely they could use some maners and common courtesy when dealing with people.
I do not think I will ever go there again.

I wish I knew this place 15 years earlier to save money as their fee structure is great.
The fees seem reasonable and the people I dealt with in the last few days such as Josh and Trish are energetically helpful. They are good, friendly and straightforward.
Thank you!
Doing business with Trish is awesome!

After an appointment nearby, I decided to take my learners test, and I’m 20 btw finally! I had managed to find this place, however I don’t recommend walking there cause it’s missing sidewalks and proper crosswalks. I managed to get there safely, and to my surprise, the interior of the registry was much nicer than the one at Shawnessy. Instead of a line up, there was a take a number system. I waited about 10 min, that’s all, compared to half an hour the previous day at shawnessy, where I wasn’t allowed to write my test without a passport. So within 40 min I passed my test, on the first try, got my temporary license, and afterwards rewarded myself with a bottle of ginger ale from the pop machine. The guy who helped me was really nice too! So no complaints here aside from the walking path. if the wait is ever long, there are quarter candy machines and snack machines too!

My review is in regards to the driving test they offer and even with the same instructor how inconsistant they are in marking.
I booked online, not reserving a rental because my brother was letting me borrow his car. Show up the 15 minutes and check in. Online it tells you very specifically what to bring, ans I brought all of it. Then ahe asked for the vehiclea regiatration ans insurance, go out to the car and can only find the registration. Call my brother and he has the insurance in his wallet so hes coming back, but gets there half hour after my apointment started so I wasnt able to take my test, but they kept my money anyway.
Rebook. With a rental. Had michelle. I got docked becauae there was a yield sign towards me and a man driving a focus so I yeiled to him (ended up complete stop) as he was right of way but at the last second he turned on his blinker and turned up my street so I fail for not taking the right of way. .. .. Really? Becauae if the driver had of put on his signal light I would have known to just yield and continue on. So mad. Everything else went great.
Rebooked. With a rental. Had michelle. This time I lost my uphill parking (which she had no issue with the first time) I wasnt close enough to the curb. Asked her if i could do it again and she said no, because she had already given me a lesson. I told her I wish I knew that her giving me a lesson Wouldnt allow me a second chance because I would have told her to not to give me a lesson. Hello!
Rebooked. With a rental. Had michelle. This time I was seemless, I was giving her no reason to fail me. Then I come to this pedal biker. Its 4 lane road in a school zone, so i cant pass him. School zone ends and im going 25 behind this biker in a 50 zone and fail for impeding traffic. I get it, i was going slow but we share the road with bikers
Four times at Southland is enough. Went to Registry Depot on 17^th and passed first try, no issues.
Ps I think its crazy in Alberta that weve let the system be privatized. In New Brunswick the same test is $ 25 (the government charges $ 5 for the lisence). But back home its called «Service Canada» and they actually care. They dont charge half as much and actually put effort in. So over these gouging private regestries. Crazy!!!

I’ve consistently used Southland for about 10 years, as they were located next to my office at Southport and were located on my walk to the shuttle parking lot on Horton Road. In the interest of full disclosure, I must admit I used them for convenience in that sense since I was walking right past. Previously I had used the registry at Southland Co-​op. As another reviewer pointed out, very few registries get top marks for friendliness. I’ve also used the registry offices at North-​Hill mall at least once, and most recently a dismal interaction at Shawnessy Licence & Registry, and so have some means of comparison.
Mostly, I think if you go in with your eyes open, and follow instructions, you are going to be ok. Southland requires you to take a number. I take a number. I have my license, registration, insurance with me. I don’t make a lot of small talk or try to be funny. This is not part of the experience. To that end, I get my business accomplished relatively quickly and painlessly. The staff are not there to entertain me, but get me through a mundane process, and to that, they accomplish the task without dehumanizing me, which is all I require of them. I have actually been impressed by the efficiency with which they process the work once I’m up at the counter. For that reason, I recommend them. I like that I can pay via different methods (something other places don’t necessarily permit), and I may be exaggerating the sterility of the interactions. I seem to recall a little banter, or being asked to redo a photo, etc.
Good service, and probably the best of the several other registries I’ve tried.

Although I’ve yet to find a registry office where the staff are pleasant human beings, this particular location is consistently the rudest, most disgruntled, unprofessional group of staff I have ever encountered. I will not return by choice.
Currently looking for a half decent registry office if someone can recommend!