North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles

I’m shocked that I had such a great experience at a DMV– but this location was awesome! The staff were incredibly friendly (despite having such a busy schedule and only one day off a week). The wait time was very short (I was there on a Thursday afternoon). The process was very smooth and I had no troubles. Just make sure to go over your documents before you get there in case you forgot something. Overall I had a great experience here.

I’ve been here twice now. Once in the morning as soon as they opened and today at 11. I thought maybe the same rule would apply for the social security office and it’d be less busy if I came later on during the day… Not true… Whether you come early or late… You’ll be waiting.
since the last time I’ve been here, they rearranged the booths so that they could fit another booth in, but that hasn’t helped the flow of customers at all. There are 7 booths but not everyone is working behind one.
There is a lady checking people in and taking DL pictures. She’s on double duty so people needing to check in are just standing in line waiting until she’s done taking pictures.
She’ll keep yelling, «don’t block the door,» but if she would just pause on the picture taking to get people seated first then nobody would be blocking the door. I get why they hold the line though… They hold the line to make sure there are enough seats and when there aren’t enough seats they’ll start taking pictures.
You’re going to be waiting no matter what:/ sorry. And the person behind you in line might get served sooner than you depending on why they came.
Categories they call people in: C, D, G.
I was just getting my named changed on my DL and I was in the D category. A girl behind me getting a brand new license was in the C group and got called up before me.

The efficiency is unacceptable. Only half of counters are open and I waited 2+ hours and my number is still way to be called. Every time I came it stuck with people waiting. Why they can’t make some improvements to increase efficiency and make everybody’s life easier?

I’ve been sitting here for two hours, and my number is still lightyears away. I cannot think of a bigger waste of time.

This was actually a great DMV experience. We just moved to North Carolina and we were able to get our new licenses quickly – in and out in just 30 minutes! The staff here were really nice. Even better was the fact that new residents who have an out of state license no longer have to take the written test. The only downside is that it is cash or check only. Who carries either of those things anymore? (Not me!)

This DMV location did not disappoint and in my book, that is a win for the DMV!
As long as you go in with low expectations you’ll be fine. I arrived at 7:30 a.m. and already 5 people were in line. By 7:45 there were about a dozen people and by then time it opened at 8 a.m. there were about 15 – 20 people in line.
If you’re there just to take a computer test (ie. change from an out of state license to NC license) it will go fairly quickly. This is what I did and was in and out in 45 minutes from when the doors opened. Make sure you check the website so you know what to bring with you (cash/​checks/​proof of residency/​two forms of ID/​etc).
If you’re there to take a driving test on the road, it will take a considerable amount of time. I think the majority of people in line were there for that purpose and the one employee who was supposed to administer these tests had not even arrived yet.
The two employees who were there were friendly and efficient. They are understaffed though as my process was interrupted by about 5 phone calls within 15 minutes.
Lastly, the dreaded DMV picture. Again, my employee was interrupted by a phone call and while on the phone, I sat and waited for her in front of the blue curtain. Suddenly, she types a bunch of stuff in the computer while on the phone — the light flashes — I cheese it and suddenly it is over and i’m pretty sure I have a horrid drivers license picture. I guess it is a staple of all DMVs!
overall, i left unscathed. It is worth going early to get in line if you need to get out quickly.

I can’t complain everyone in the DMV but one, for sure, because she had no clue on the laws of issuing a License. I went with all my documents and she said she can’t issue a license with those documents. But I’ve heard from friends that they have got their license with exactly the same documents that I had from other NC DMVs. So I called the Raleigh DMV office the next day and told them what all I have and they said they should issue a license. When I told them the DMV refused to, they told me to tell the officer to call the CIB department of the DMV and gave me a number to call and they can educate the officer about the law. It’s so annoying when the DMV officer themselves don’t know about the laws, esp when they get cases like mine almost every single day. This law had been for more than 3 years from atleast what I’ve read. Now I’ll have to go again, with a loss of pay since I work hourly! The officers at this DMV should educate themselves on the laws or when in doubt call the Raleigh office to check.

I mean, no one loves or even really likes going to the DMV. However, if you have to go, the employees here are really friendly and encouraging. I have no idea if the service is any faster than other local offices but I really commend this office for their courtesy– definitely beyond the call of duty, to people from all walks of life. More places Should be like this!

Staff is unfriendly and the entire operation is inefficient. AVOID Saturdays, as the lines are the longest and if you don’t get served by 11:30AM, you can consider your morning wasted as they just tell you to go home. I’ve been to some terrible DMVs across the US, but this one was the worst.

I recently moved to NC from CA. I stopped into this strip mall DMV office around 11 am on a Friday to obtain a NC drivers license. Throughout the process DMV officials were friendly and efficient. A DMV official greeted me on arrival, and checked to see whether I had proof of insurance (which I had to return home to collect), proof of residence, etc. When I returned with correct documentation, I was given a number. About 5 people were waiting, and it took less than 10 minutes for my number to be called. I passed an eye exam and a 25 question written exam (covering the range of relevant driving information). After $ 32 and less than an hour, I had a temporary drivers license (permanent will arrive by mail), and registered to vote as a part of this process. Way to go, NC DMV!

I know this is not saying much, since I’m talking about the DMV, but sadly, this is the WORST DMV I’ve ever been to. The people are completely inept, lack any grain of common sense or logic, are so inefficient and slow, and have no respect for anyone who is there. Really puts a bad light on government workers and the argument that they have no incentive to perform well because their jobs are guaranteed. Ugh. Everything about this experience was terrible — and I was one of the «fortunate» ones that really had no issues! Speak to my roommate and her stories are even worse! SO glad to be done with them and hopefully I’ll never have to return.

Even though this is a small location, this is one of the speediest DMVs around. I’ve had to go about 3 times in the last 3 years (for simple services) and not once have I spent over 45 minutes. I would recommend queuing up before they open at 8am or making an appointment (as far in advance as possible as they fill up). On a recent occasion I made an appointment at 8:30am for a license renewal and I was out of the office by 8:48am. Would also recommend bringing a book or a smart phone as there’s not much to do while you’re waiting (just an outdated tv with an old feed of commercials and news updates).

DMV offices have such a bad reputation but I actually really like this Durham location. I’ve been here twice (from what I can remember). First for a replacement driver’s license (my other had cracked) and for a name change. When you walk in you are greeted by someone to see what you need and to make sure that they can help you. They also check to see if you have all of the documents you need. This saves you and them time because it makes sure you don’t wait in line unnecessarily. If everything checks out then you get a number. They have different queues depending on the purpose of your visit. My two visits have been very quick so maybe those queues are a bit shorter (or, maybe I’m just special). I am not sure what it’s like to have to do the driving test. When they’re ready for you, your number appears on a monitor near one of the desks and then you just step on up. Very simple and efficient.
The staff members have been polite, courteous, and quick. I remember that the one that first greeted me (and later took my picture) was especially friendly.
I think you still have to pay fees in cash so remember to stop by the ATM if necessary.

I’ve been dragging my feet on coming to the DMV (partially because the DMV is just never a happy place to be… and partially because (shhhh…)I’m not 100% on board with my last name change just yet. But there comes a time when one must rally and face the facts. Today was that day. And 10am was go-​time. There were two people seated when I arrived. Yes! A good ratio of sit-​ees to employees. The counter guy in charge was a little terse, but at the DMV there’s no time for small-​talk and smiles. So I took my ticket and grabbed a chair. No sooner had my butt grazed the seat when my number was called out. Score again! In fact, I was about to rave about how quick and efficient the whole thing was until I returned to my seat to wait my turn in the photography line and saw that 20 (no joke!) people had since joined the sitting area. Which leads me to conclude, it’s all dumb luck in terms of arriving at the ‘right’ time – unless you get there as soon as they open, which is one of those rare beauty-​sleep trade-​offs that might actually be worthwhile.
PS) It’s official: I am now the owner of an overbearing, hyphenated last name!