Department of Motor Vehicles: Southwest

you know, its one of the best dmv’s i have had to deal with and make it a point to go to this place even if its out of the way. The people there have always been nice to me and they are very quick, it may look busy but it always seems to go quick. just so everyone knows this is a dmv but its the best one i have found thus far over the years.

1. It’s the DMV. You’re going to have to wait. Get over it.
2. There will be a wide variety of life forms there. No guarantee that they will all be human.
3. Some of the employees will be in crappy moods due to having to deal with above mentioned life forms. Try not to take it personally when they are dealing with you.
I can’t give the place 5 stars because, come on, it’s a DMV. I can’t give it one star because it’s the best DMV in the area. I give it a solid 3 stars because it gets done what it needs to and never disappoints in that it is always disappointing.
40÷2015÷134

The check in guy with the longish blond surfer hair was chipper, helpful and didn’t seem to hate his job like most other DMV staff. He had everyone smiling, kept the line moving and generally made it so the trip to the DMV wasn’t the dreaded soul suck that you expect it to be.
They try to stream line things, so your paperwork and pic are taken right at the beginning. Don’t try to figure out a rhyme or reason to the numbering system, but pay attention, since there seem to be about six different letters that could start the number called.
I was there less than an hour, so I call it a win. Once my number was called, I was out in ten minutes.
There were plenty of seats, the staff was better than most I’ve experienced, I didn’t wait ages — not sure what else one could want.
All in all, a fairly painless DMV experience.

Today, I had to head to the DMV to get both my plates and my DL renewed. In case it’s been awhile for you, here are the answers to some frequently asked questions:
Q. I haven’t showered in a good, long while and like Matthew McConaughey, I’m opposed to deodorant. Is that cool?
A. No problem at all, friend! You’ll be in good company here!
Q. I have several loud, annoying kids. Is the DMV a good place to let them run wild?
A. Although there are several «Do Not Leave Your Kids Unattended» signs up, every day is OPPOSITE day at the DMV. Feel free to let those little bastards run wild, screech and generally annoy the shit out of everyone else.
Q. What does the waiting area smell like?
A. See question #1. That and Brussels sprouts.
Q. How can I get my DL picture to look good?
A. You can’t. Despite any and all efforts you make, your DL photo will look like it was lifted from the «Faces of Meth» website. I believe the DMV has a special Instagram filter that produces this effect.
Q. Will I end up sitting in pee?
A. Always a possibility. However, the chairs are now hard plastic so you should be able to suss out an unsoiled one.
Q. Will the person taking care of my request remind me of Patty and/​or Selma from the Simpsons?
A. The workers here were a LOT nicer than I remembered, so maybe not!
Q. I’ve heard I’ll need a RealID to travel — what do I need to bring along to score one of these?
A. A passport, current DL, your Social Security card, your high school transcripts, pay stubs from that shitty job you had in college, a note from your Mom and possibly a bag of current fingernail clippings.
Q. What else should I know about my forthcoming trip to the DMV?
A. It seems like the employees here really do try — it’s just that the other customers are generally disgusting a-​holes. Also, no need to wait to eat that ginormous bag of Taco Bell you picked up before coming — all the other customers will certainly enjoy the sights, sounds and especially the smells from your disgusting lunch.

If you were to bite your tongue, slam your fingers in a car door, stub your toe, smack your funny bone and get kicked in your naughty bits by a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu master you’d still have an experience only half as unpleasant as navigating this hell hole. It’s unbelievable. Needing a replacement drivers license I showed up about 12:30 on a Friday afternoon. What transpired over the next 90 minutes cannot be accurately described, so I will provide a time stamp:
12:30: Enter building, shake head and groan.
12:31−12:50: Wait in line (Multitask by also hating life.)
12:51: Receive paperwork.
12:52−1:05: Complete paperwork (Maximize time by continuing to hate life.)
1:05−1:10: Photographer repeatedly tries to get my good side. I even had to sit down because I’m too tall for their gear. Glamour Shots. Bitch, please. Of course I looked good.
1:10−1:50: Waiting. (Efficiently used time to complete a prayer of destruction/​ritualistic bleeding. The gods must be appeased. My will be done.)
1:51−2:00: Pay 14 bucks for a piece of computer paper with my picture on it. Seriously. I could I made this shit at home. Give me my life back.
2:01-Present: Search for support group of survivors of emotional trauma.

I am pretty sure that if anyone gave the DMV 5 stars, we would all assume that it was some sort of coverup operation where no research was done by the espionage team from another country. We wouldn’t be able to take it seriously.
But, I didn’t want to give it 5 stars anyway. I will say that my review could be biased because of a more recent awful super sucky visit to a different location. Comparably, this location is the Ritz.
In case you have never been to the DMV, it’s generally appropriate to plan at least an hour, possibly two. And you bring all the documentation you think you could possibly need because you don’t want to do this again, folks.
So, you walk in and wait in a line. This line moves pretty quick. You explain what you’re there for and their magical numbering system spits out a ticket. You are then told to go wait in the vast expanse of a waiting area. I know this seems trivial, but when you’re at the DMV, a large waiting area is actually key. It is not and has never been to my knowledge, a requirement that you shower to hit up the DMV. Choose your seat wisely. The only place lower on the stink-​o-​meter is the Social Security office. I, on the other hand, showered and cuted up since I was getting a new ID pic! Photo shoot! I screwed up my last ID photo, I won’t tell you how but I didn’t like it, so I had been practicing my head shot.
Anyhoo…as this trip involved a photo, you go to the photo area where they call your NAME, not your magical number. Photo — Click! Now go wait for your magical number to be called, listed on the individual desk screens, and the overhead TV’s that also have an eclectic mix of trivia, fun facts, helpful tips, and advertisements.
I think I actually appreciate the magical number system. In my head, it has something to do with either streamlining or specialization or both. People that came for complicated stuff may have to wait longer, but it gets handled by someone who knows how to do it and someone else can get through more easy requests quicker.
Everyone I spoke with was in fact very pleasant. Some were friendlier than others, but having had to work with the general public in my own career, I know what it’s like man, and as a whole group, we’re exhausting, so I don’t really blame them for not being excited. To me, they just go into each conversation with low expectations.
I got called, paid my money, and got my new ID. Done and Done. I was in and out in 40 minutes.
However…After all my practicing, I FORGOT to smile in my new pic!!! I guess I’ll try again in another decade. Humpf.

I hate to be that guy doing the really bad Seinfeld impression «And what about those lines at the DMV?», but holy cow, this was BAD. I came in to approach the first desk with no one in line, I state my business only to find out I have to stand in another line with 30 people in front of me. No big deal, I expected to wait with the unwashed masses and I had a fully charged iPhone. And when I say unwashed masses, I’ve been at pro wrestling shows in the middle of July where the people around me smelled better, that’s saying a lot. All this being said, I don’t think it’s fair to judge the DMV on lines or the people that patronize the establishment.
My bad rating has to do with the workers. I know it’s a thankless job, but it is a job and they can be much better at it. I sat in the middle of the room, and about 10 minutes in I swore I heard my name. I looked around and saw no one. A minute later I heard my name again and I started to scan the crowd thinking a friend was around, only to figure out that the lady taking photos across the room was calling me for my mugshot. Maybe getting a microphone for her would be a good idea. I stroll over, and she was nice at least, but after that I waited another hour and a half to take care of getting my new DL. When my number was called, I went up promptly, only to be approached by a fast talking lady who was rude. She gave me instructions so quickly I had trouble following. I can follow direction, I’m an excellent student in college as we speak. Yet all of her directions were just a couple words spoken so quick, I’m surprised I even understood, better yet passed my eye test. I understand she wants to get people out quickly, but maybe it would have been a prompt visit if she would speak more clearly. Glad I don’t have to do this again for a few years.

As Heather, I am surprised no one else has reviewed the DMV. I guess it’s one of those places we all dread going to and have all had the pleasure of sitting at for hours.
I am happy to review that it is much different than in the past and you do not wait nearly the time you used to. (Or I just hit it on good days and times)
When you first walk in there is one central desk that takes your info and gives you your number. This is much more streamline but unfortunately this line can get backed up very quickly if there is a person with a difficult issue.
Staff is pretty friendly. I remember hearing how the people at the DMV are just so mean but I have not experienced this. Some are better than others, of course, but you get that everywhere you go.
Boils down to you need to go there and you have no choice so come prepared and plan ahead and you will be surprised it’s not as bad as you thought.

Really??? I get to be the first to review the DMV.
Well…I can’t give it one star (Eek…Me thinks not) because I don’t have a choice. Every few years I am forced to spend several hours on my day off here. So, I am going with 2 stars… but, I really haven’t experience better! I challenge anyone to tell a positive story about any DMV.
So, the Saturday before my birthday (which was a Monday) I go to the bank. The teller politely reminds me that my driver’s license will be expiring in 2 days and that I should get in and renew it. GREAT! I go home to look up DMV hours… Of course, they aren’t open on a Saturday. Because anyone who drives must have all week long free to sit in their lobby and get a new license. And, Of course, my birthday that Monday falls on President’s Day which is a federal holiday. So, I am destined to pay a late fee this year.
Immediately upon walking in you must stand in a line to be given a number to stand in another line. Do you suppose anyone behind the counter where 30 of us are lined up are helping anyone? Nope… they are too busy doing DMV stuff. Eventually I get through the first line, only to be told to wait in another line to get my photo while I wait to be called over to another line to give them money.
OK…finally get over to the window to pay and I need to do the eye exam. Completely personal service. She goes through a set of standard questions… one of which is «Are you wearing contacts?» Hmmmmm… my response «No…but I do have glasses on». Would help if you looked at me while you talked to me.
Anyway…I pay and am told to go wait in the 4^th and last line to get my DL.
Yay! I am now the proud owner of a new DL with a horrible photo on it!

I went to this DMV location to get my Wisconsin drivers license and register my vehicle. Although I’d heard good things about this location, it’s the DMV, you know? Well, my experience could not have been better. Everyone there was very pleasant and helpful and the crowd flowed very quickly and smoothly. I was in and out in 30 minutes. It helped that I had researched beforehand and had with me all the documentation I needed and had also filled out the necessary forms. If you live in Milwaukee and need a DMV, this is the place!