Secretary of State

OK, I was dreading this. As a newcomer to Chicago (and the USA) I had understood that the DMV was the eighth circle of hell, and that only the strongest survived the experience of having to go to one of its locations. It turns out that I needn’t have worried.
I arrived at the Randolph Dr. location at 7.40am for an 8am opening and was surpised to find myself the first in line. At 7.50 a lady emerged to make sure that I had all the docs required for my first Illinois State ID, and re-​emerged 5 mins later to give me my ticket just prior to opening.
When the doors opened I went striaght to my window where Kimberley was polite, efficient and helpful. Then on to the cashier, then the photo area, then back blinking into the sunlight with my new ID card at 8.20.
Now there was clearly a bit of luck in this outcome as I had previously swung by this location to find some sort of organised riot going on. But I looked up a few rules and they stood me in good stead — go early or late, try to avoid the last or first few days of the month and the middle of the week is better than the beginning or end.
Thank you DMV — it’s really nice to have ones fears confounded.

I was really not looking forward to renew my license plus a vision test. From my past experience it’s usually a half a day process.
Once I had walked into this location, there was a small line just to check in plus there were a lost of people in the waiting area. I will say the line went fairly quickly and was given a ticket and was told to watch for my number.
Within 15 minutes, my number was called. The agent was fairly pleasant (deal with the public is not easy but he was okay). Passed the vision test, then was passed on the cashiering area. Had to wait a few minutes to pay. Then was passed onto the picture area. The area plan to wait a little longer. It was entertaining to watch this male picture taker trying his «slickness» on the women.
Overall, the experience was better than I thought it would be. I was out of there within 40 minutes.

Dear Jessie White,
If Ron McDonald in your Randolph location ever moves leaves, I won’t get my drivers license in Illinois anymore. Make sure you keep him. Perhaps let him train other employees to be as awesome as he is and pay him more for that. Naturally.

Absolutely the worst experience I’ve ever had at a DMV. The 2 extremely unfriendly workers checking people in made the experience terrible! I didn’t know that an item mailed to my home address wouldn’t be acceptable. The lady said, pull all your items ou, so I did, then she told me to stop «throwing things at her» in which I didn’t even get a chance to pull everything out of my envelope that I had brought with me including: ss card, ss administration letter with address on it, piece of mail with address and a blank check with address on it. How are 4 items not enough to prove my address. I got back in line after my 15 minute wait and the other worker asked me to download a receipt from my phone but there was no reception there. The guy talked to me like I was an idiot. I will never go back there again! I was trying to tackle an errand during my lunch hour but I guess that is not possible! I’ll stick to my local DMV.

If the line is split in 2, pick the right side, it moves at a faster pace. Why? The employee handling the left side of line is constantly distracted by people returning/​being called/​confused. I was 10^th in line and making this mistake allowed 10 more people to get ahead of me. #ridiculous

Amazingly well organized and smooth running processes executed by friendly people. Incredibly busy at 8am on Wednesday but getting a new license after moving to Chicago took little more than an hour, including a free senior ID. This place puts the «service» in public service. Kudos to everyone…

Nice to be surprised by the DMV. It was faster than I expected and the staff were polite and friendly. I went on a Friday at 3p to register a vehicle I just purchased from a private party, and was out in about 15 minutes with license plates. I researched all the documents I needed and brought them along.
Another thing I’ve learned (here or in the post office or any public facility) is to go in with a smile, and staff generally respond a lot better than when I’ve gone in expecting the worst.

Went to have my title transferred. I attempted to do this in the Lockport facility and the people there were rude and unhelpful. The group downtown have their act together from the minute you walk in to the minute you leave. They are helpful, friendly, organized and get you in and out quickly. The best time to go is around 2 PM. Great friendly people especially Jeremy, Joanna and Kim. Mr. White, give them all a raise!

Great experience! Came at 9am and was out by 10am. Went to get an Illinois license after moving here from Michigan. Most of the comments on this thread have good pointers; my only new contribution is that although you can’t bring copies of your ID (passport, social security card, etc.) they DID allow me to bring in print outs, essentially copies, of my proof of residence (i.e., credit card and utility bills from online). Since I always choose the paperless option, I thought they might turn these printouts down because they weren’t actual letters printed from the companies themselves. But I had no problems!

Fast service! In and out with a new plate sticker in under 10 minutes on a Monday morning (when the suburban offices are’t even open). Well done DMV!

I had a good experience replacing my out-​of-​state (IN) license with an IL license and getting registration/​title and signed up for voting while I was at it.
FYI, the DMV is on the «concourse» level. If you walk in from street level you have to take the escalator or elevator down to the food court level.
I went in yesterday at 8:40 am and left at about 10 am with a new driver’s license, title and registration (they mail the new title to you). It wasn’t crowded, perhaps because of the time of day. Staff were helpful. The written test took me maybe 7 minutes.
Unless you order specialty plates you’ll actually get the plates on the spot.
There’s a convenience fee of $ 1 for license and 4% for registration/​title if you use a credit or debit card.
License: $ 31
Title/​Reg: $ 200.61
My car is old and was purchased from private party so I didnt have to pay tax on that.
Make sure you don’t forget to take all of the required ID. (Look on the website. The first time I forgot to bring my Social Security card).
Worked pretty well, the people were friendly, minimal waiting in line or waiting around. A good number of seats so if there were more people at least there would be places to sit.

The DMV at 100 W. Randolph is the best DMV you will ever go to. It’s still a DMV but it’s quick, very efficient, well laid out, clean, and the people who work there are relaxed and polite and very nice. I am recently married and moved to Illinois from out of state so I had to get a new license with a new last name. Google the paperwork they accept and make sure you bring everything.
It opens at 8AM, I got there at 7:50 and there were a lot of people in front of me (maybe 30) — the guy behind me said the day before there were only 3 or 4 people in line, so maybe Fridays are busy. Regardless, I was in line for 5 minutes, waited for 5 minutes for my number to be called, and got through the eye test, the written test, the payment line and photo in about 20 minutes. It takes maybe 2 minutes for the license to print out and you’re good to go.
For a mundane, necessary thing like getting your license this place was dare I say enjoyable. Will definitely always come back to this location as long as I’m in Chicago!

Went to change my name since I got married and trade in my out of state license. I make sure I brought the correct paperwork ahead of time, and when I checked in they called my number right away! I was in and out in 25 minutes– including the time it took for me to take the written test. No one was super friendly, but they weren’t hostile either. Quick and efficient!

I couldn’t believe all the good reviews about the DMV! Went in on Friday morning, 10 mins before the dmv opens and there were already 8 – 10 people ahead of me. While waiting in line, a lady was making sure we had the right documents. It took a total of 15 minutes to fill out the paper work, verify and pay. There are separate offices for license and vehicle registration but in the same building.

I really like this DMV for its location and no-​hassle way of getting my license plates renewed. I was in and out in 10 minutes. The employees here, relatively, are OK. Not as much of an attitude and they don’t seem to hate their jobs as other employees in other DMVs.
Definitely check this place out if you just need your plates renewed. You’ll leave there with less of your pride taken away from you

I HAD ABSOLUTELY THE WORST EXPERIENCE HERE.
I just turned 21 and I had to renew my license to the 21+ card. I saw that there was one guy who looked really nice and I was praying that I would get him because he seemed really sweet to the customers. BUT I DIDNT. Sadly and unfortunately, I had a very older woman 60 – 70 years? she also has a cane who was absolutely rude and racist towards me. She asked me for my immigration papers when I gave her my US Passport. I said, «I’m not an immigrant. I was born in Illinois…» She’s like, «Oh well. Are you sure. I guess you don’t have an accent. You just looked like one.» I was shocked (really!!!). She then yelled at me so loud that other people could hear and it was so embarrassing. When I try to explain myself she said «I don’t want to hear it.» Then she asked me a question to clarify. then when I explained she said «Well why didn’t you say that earlier?!» Super loud… and I told her I was trying to explain… Then when she asked me if I had mental issues (i know its part of their duty to ask when getting a license) I said no. And shes like «Are you sure?! Cause it seems to me you need help.»
I do not understand how a woman like that could be hired in an institution like this. She not only embarrassed me infront of other people, but called me a liar and other words. No other employee said anything and people just looked at me. So no. Do not go to this office if you have that lady. Honestly, I would go back in line and get another number and ask for a different person to help me. This is not right and this employee does not have the respect of equals who are other races and ages. If a manager or anyone sees this, I hope you pay extra attention to her because she is just plain rude with no respect to anyone but herself. She needs to get checked cause I am American. I was born here and she has no right to question that further when I told her I was.

I was expecting to leave with a horror story like most dmv trips… but I was in with a Massachusetts license and out with an Illinois license in just under thirty minutes!
Bring all the correct paperwork (easy to google) and they’ll take care of it quickly and kindly. Anything I need, I’ll be back to this office.

Ugh.
Had to finally suck it up and deal with all the absurd paperwork required to get an illinois license. If you are out of state, remember, you need a passport AND your original SS card AND two pieces of mail but only ones on the acceptable pieces of mail list…
In addition to that, the employees gave me a hard time every step of the way — for instance I brought a copy of my lease and she asked if I had the page I’d signed, and when I said no she made a huge deal about how she would accept it but i was super lucky i’d gotten her because no one else would blah blah blah.
It took me two and a half hours to get out.
But I have a license!
So two stars for that.

Came to get an Illinois ID and this was my first painless DMV experience. Maybe it’s because the only other ones I’ve been to are in California. Maybe it’s because this branch is extremely efficient. Either way, I’m not complaining!
1. DMV offices are on the lower floor of the building, so take the escalator down right when you enter the building.
2. Have your documents ready when you go in, as the attendant at the front will flip through them to make sure you have everything, and either a) give you a number or b) direct you to a window
3. At the window, this attendant will look through your documents, copy down your SSN & address, and ask for some information (height, weight, hair color, eye color).
4. Pay at the cashier — $ 20 for New 18+ IDs. Avoid $ 1 Credit Card fee by paying in cash.
5. Have your picture taken. It will be printed out within 5 minutes.
The whole process took ~10 minutes, and was quick & efficient. Everyone was extremely friendly and helpful, guiding me smoothly through the whole process. Come 15 – 20 minutes before closing time (as I did), and you won’t have to wait at all!

Here’s a hint folks. DMV stands for Department Of Motor Vehicles.
Hmmm Now what form of transportation do you think most people use to take care of their motor vehicle tasks? Train? Bike? Bus? EEEEAAAAAAHHHH If you guessed motor vehicle… you’re right!!!
Now what does the loop lack that motor vehicles need to remain idle while you handle your bidness? Farmers Markets? Food courts? Crazy cab drivers? EEEEAAAAAAHHHH If you guessed parking you’re right again!
Moral of the story is very few folks go here for DMV stuff. I went 2 days in a row (only on account of California needing to fax over an approval letter) and my number was called instantly both times. Got a new IL license in under 20 minutes flat, and that’s including taking the test with very low reading comprehension.