Office of Motor Vehicles

I didn’t have to wait long at all. They did however, charge me a $ 3 fee to use my card to pay a fine. I would have appreciated it if there would have been a sign on the door or something to let me know… would I have gotten cash, probably not– but still! No one likes surprise fees

Visiting the Department of Motor Vehicles can sometimes be similar to having a perfectly healthy tooth removed. I don’t really mind one way or another, in my mind it is just something that you have to do occasionally. OMV workers can be slightly unhappy, but really. Look around. There are a ton of people (generally speaking) sitting in the waiting area. How would you feel if you came to work every day and always saw a line? In the middle of the morning or in the middle of the afternoon, all of the lines seem to be open. At the beginning of the day and around lunch time, not so much. I can’t speak about the end of the day. Not that I spend a lot of time here, or come frequently. I only came recently because I had sent in the appropriate paperwork and payment to renew my drivers license via mail, and after a month, I had not received it (license did expire three weeks ago). I was in and out within an hour.
One visit I had awhile back, a gal was sitting next to me, there were a lot of people waiting, and based on the numbers being called, we had time to wait, and her number was behind mine. She wanted to go to get a beverage (no machines here at the time), I gave her $ to get a soda for me, she gave me her phone number, and she left and came back with drinks for both of us, and we still had a wait. But, it was funny that she was able to leave and come back, and still missed nothing.
This OMV still gives off the air of being new, it is clean, and the chairs are hard. The lines and wait can be long. But, great chance to people watch!

Unlike most OMV offices in Louisiana you cannot walk in and handover your old license plate at this location. Very long lines I do not recommend.

I really don’t like coming here because it’s such an event. You either have to wake up early and line up way before they open, or come late and risk waiting for hours. I had just purchased a vehicle out of state and needed to register it in Louisiana. For those reading, this is a transaction which can be completed at ABC Title, thereby avoiding the headache that comes with an OMV trip. However, I’m all about repping my alma matter (Geaux Wolfpack!) and after calling the OMV headquarters this location is apparently the only place to get a Loyola University license plate.
So, I used the promise of a Chick-​Fil-​A Spicy Chicken Biscuit as a motivation to get my ass outta bed and get to the OMV at 7:30, 30 minutes before they opened at 8 AM. Got my Chick-​Fil-​A, drove down Vets, parked right up front, took my #3 spot in line, and munched. By 7:45, there were 10 people in line. By 7:55, 20 people in line. At 8, they opened the doors and I took a number. I was the first person called for vehicle registration. It took them a few extra minutes because the dealership had sent all the paperwork directly to this OMV so they had to look thru the mailroom, but they found it. I was walking out at 8:20 AM with my new license plate.
So, not bad if you get there first thing in the morning. I just don’t like having to plan my whole day around going to the OMV.

Had a bad experience (long wait) last time I went to this branch. Pleasant people but long wait. But that’s when it just opened the branch and I showed up close to closing time (4pm). This time I showed up at 8:30 on a Tuesday morning (opens at 8). Plenty of parking, no line, and was in/​out in 15 minutes start to finish with a new drivers license.

Got here at 9:30am for a duplicate title request. Fortunately, I brought my registration, proof of insurance & driver’s license. In and out in an hour. That’s great in my book! Hopefully, I will get the title mailed to me in the 5 – 7 days estimated (not promised). We’ll see!

I haven’t had to visit an OMV in quite a few years (or even in the state of LA), so I inquired with a number of friends and perused Unilocal reviews before making the trek. Almost unanimously, the experience was described as extremely slow with unpleasant customer service.
Thankfully, that was not my experience at all. Every employee I encountered was pleasant and helpful. Once my number was called, the «ball started rolling» so-​to-​speak. I moved through the process of registering my vehicle and then transferring my drivers license efficiently.
You do have to wait in line to get a number, then sit and wait to be called. And then wait again if you have more than one process to take care of. Kind of annoying, but the process makes sense. The number-​calling system is loud and clear — both visually on the board and through sound.
There are a few key factors I think helped the process go so smoothly for me:
1. I did my research first. I checked online weeks before my visit to ensure I would have all proper pieces of paperwork required (birth certificate, social security card, title to my car, proof of insurance, registration card, current drivers license, a piece of mail (just in case!), money, blood of my first born child… I kid, I kid… but you get it. BE PREPARED!
2. Arrive relatively early (I did not come before the doors opened, but no more than an hour after).
3. Mondays and Fridays probably aren’t the best of days. I chose a Tuesday.
4. Allow for wait times. You really shouldn’t expect to go to an OMV and leave within minutes with a positive resolution. It just doesn’t happen.
I was pleased at the cleanliness and organization of the place as well.
The only part that truly irked me with my visit was the cashier and license photographer. The cashier I paid to get my license was more interested in conversing with her fellow employees about personal business rather than mine. The photographer didn’t give much more than a milisecond of notice when telling me where to look at then snapping the photo. Not really necessary since there was no one else waiting. Needless to say, I’ll basically be hiding my ID for the next 10 years until it’s time for a re-​take. But I’ll get over it — #firstworldproblems, right?!

The service wasn’t the best but wait time was appropriate.

This was my first time in many many years having to visit the DMV. It has been newly renovated since the last time I was here. In those days it was a trailer lol. It was known for long wait times and poor service. I had neither experience. In fact it was 1000% better than earlier years for me. You would spend hours waiting and waiting to be called on.
I was there to transfer a title in to my name and the person that waited in me I think her name was Mrs Nolan was rally professional and got me through the process in a painless manner. I was missing one document and she asked me to call the financial institution to see if they could, fax it over. They said it may take a while for them to find it since if has been several years ago. She suggested that I go in person and that it could happen faster. She also said when I returned I would not have to wait in line again. When I returned after obtaining my document she had the DM wait on me. I felt kinda special and was soon on my way.
Unlike all the bad reviews I had a very good experience.

I showed up at 7:45am, 15 minutes before they opened, and I was done a little after 10am. It’s a long wait, but I’ve had much worse. It’s slow, but come on! It’s the OMV!
I have been to OMVs/​DMVs in several cities, and the Metairie OMV was one of the best experiences. (If you want five-​star-​plus-​jazz-​hands, try Seattle’s downtown Limited Service Driver’s Licensing Office.)
The facilities are new, clean, and air conditioned. Even the bathroom was super-​clean and odor-​free, though the soap dispenser was empty (not good for such a high-​traffic environment). There were 2 – 3 staff at the front desk to get you into the correct ticket «line». The teller who finally called my number and took my information and payment was polite and communicative.
The photographer was the only one that rubbed me the wrong way, but I’ll try to give her credit. Since she’s the last step in the license process, I imagine that tired/​impatient customers might treat her worse than other employees. She appeared to be one of the most hurried people in the building, and she’s very efficient. On the other hand, she gave me no warning about my photo! My license makes me look disgusting and oblivious. At least I’m moving again soon, and I’ll have to get it updated anyway.
Final advice:
Show up early, bring a book, and get your face ready before you step on the line in front of the camera.

This OMV was newly built in 2012 and is a very clean facility. The place opens up at 8:00, but if you don’t want to spend all day here, I suggest arriving very early; very early. On April 30^th, I arrived at 7:00 sharp and was actually 1^st in line. However, by 7:15, there were already 25 people in line behind me and the line was growing longer by the minute.
A DPS Officer works the door for «crowd control» and public safety, which is a good thing. There are 22 windows for employees to serve customers, but on my visit on April 30^th, there were only 8 windows open at 8:00 AM. Even though the lobby has seating for 100 people, it quickly filled up to capacity and customers were left standing.
Soon after the door opened and I got my number, I was called up to the window. However, when I got to the window, they realized I had a CDL and they had called me up to the wrong window. Therefore I was told to sit back down and wait for the CDL window to become available.
Once I was called to the CDL window (15 minutes later), I was very pleased with the level of courtesy I received. Unfortunately, to renew my CDL, the OMV only accepts the original full length medical report, which I did not have, as I am only required to carry the medical card. Furthermore, I was told by my doctor that they could not fax a copy of the medical report to the OMV. Therefore, I had to go downtown, get a certified copy of the report and then drive back to the OMV. Once I returned to the OMV, the process of renewing my CDL was actually pretty easy. Total time invested, 3.5 hours.
Had to go back to the OMV on Thursday June 12^th to get a salvaged title for my previously wrecked motorcycle. Unfortunately, I arrived at 7:20 and there were already 30 people in line ahead of me. In order to get a salvaged title, the vehicle in question has to be inspected by either LSP or DPS. So I was told to take a seat and await the DPS Officer. She arrived a few minutes later and was a pleasure to deal with. She was very professional and courteous, and had my inspection and paperwork done in approximately 10 minutes. However, I had to now get a number and wait behind the 100 people that showed up after me. (Not happy)
After waiting for nearly an hour, I was finally called to the window. Once again, I was informed that I had accidentally been called to the wrong window and was told to sit back down and wait to be called to the right window. After another 30 minute wait, I was finally called to the correct window. The lady helping me was extremely nice. Within 5 minutes of sitting down at her window, I had my salvage registration, reconstructed registration and license place. If everyone in the OMV was as good as her and the female DPS Officer that helped me, I’d give this place a 4 star rating.
However, they seemed to be more of the exception rather than the rule. I think a little better customer service and attention to detail would easily garner them a 3^rd star for an A-​Ok rating. But for now, they still need a little work to do.

It would helpful to all in saving yourself a trip to the DMV if needing drivers license renewals/​duplicates or titling needs. I used to work for Casey & Casey, now known as Dealertrack @ 3939 Veterans Metairie. So much faster getting things done there instead of the DMV. Call them! 504−456−7438

5 hours to get a license renewed today. Then, when they finally called in my number, they sent me to a closed station, then proceeded to just move on to other numbers and eventually had three other people waiting with me at the closed station. This place is an absolute joke, but is a perfect example of why you don’t let government try to manage a function that even remotely requires a business function or customer service.

Line was 30 – 40 deep when I arrived 10min early. After opening just after 8, it took about 12 minutes just to get a ticket. I was surprised they didn’t have forms available for me to fill out while I waited. It would have made the process a lot faster, but I guess they wanted to avoid the hassle of people regularly filling the form out incorrectly and having to wait to be seen all over again. After getting a number, it took another 20 minutes to get to a counter for someone else to fill out my information. Despite trying to small talk with her, she was all business. Then, back to waiting to pay and get my picture taken, a short 10min. The worst of it was the creep next to me pointing out all of the women he found cute in the building to his aging grandmother. Literally, pointing to them, saying they were cute, and then trying to guess their ethnic origin. The New Orleans OMV, never a dull moment!

Went to the place on veterans above Parrans, no wait!

I know I know. Everyone hates going to the DMV… The jokes are endless, no one is happy going, blah blah blah. I hate complainers, but seriously this is the worst location I’ve ever been to in any state and even in Orleans Parish.
I have never waited here less than 2 hours for simple «express» items (change of address, reprints, ect.) or crazy items (title changeovers for a vehicle fleet). And yes «crazy items» is an official term… I am pretty sure most of the employees take lunch together too because the last time I was here there seemed to be only a couple tellers on duty at one time during lunch (how are professionals with long hours suppose to get anything done?) Also, I’ve been told that before opening there is a line already forming at the door.
I will say, however, there is one gentlemen that works there for the express items, and as soon as he clocked in he was knocking people out (not actually knocking people out as the OMV discouraged physical assault). Thank you public servant for performing this thankless job with robot like efficiency!
Also, some things to consider… for any transaction always bring EVERYTHING even if it doesn’t say so on the website because for some reason they all ask for different things at the different times you go. Also, consider going to the location in Kenner for express items. You may spend more time on the drive, but considerably less time for the wait.
Why did they close the office under the highway on the west bank, my poor hidden gem *single tear*?

So this place closes at 4pm. I went yesterday at 1:30pm and they told me, «Due to volume, you may not be seen today, but you can take a number anyway.» So I left and went earlier today, at 12:30pm, and the got the same line. Can you imagine going to a restaurant, putting your name in for a table, waiting 3 ½ hours, then being told you can’t be seated at all because they’re closing for the night? It’s insane. And you can’t make appointments so the only way I can imagine being able to go without potentially wasting half a day for literally no reason whatsoever is to show up as soon as they open.
To be fair, my experience with the DMV in San Francisco was similar. They had an appointment option available and I still waited literally 3 hours to be seen, even with an appointment, but I was never told that I simply might be waiting hours just to be told to go home. I just can’t fathom what makes the DMV so ridiculously inefficient. The only one I’ve been to where I can be seen within 20 minutes was in my hometown in NJ with a population of 2,000.

Process is MUCH quicker, more efficient, & more humane than the closed black-​hole out in Kenner.
Well done, OMV!

This place is terrible! The line was 30+ people out the door in the morning, so I came back later on. At 4:30, TWO NUMBERS AWAY FROM MINE being called, everyone was kicked out that wasn’t at a counter. Excuse me??? Are you serious?! What is the point of keeping the door open until 4pm then?
I just moved here from New York. That’s not how our DMV works. Granted, you get to NY DMV 1 sec after closing, you’re not allowed in, but once you’re in the door, you get taken care of, period! They don’t nearly get up to you, then tell you to leave. Welcome to Louisiana, now get the hell out!

The new and improved Office of Motor Vehicles is (surprise, surprise) exactly like the old and crappy Office of Motor Vehicles with a shiny new building to make you feel better about how awful the DMV is. They are still using the standard check in at the front desk, take a number, wait to be called method with an adequately annoying computer voice number announcement. Enter to your left when ypu walk to the front of the building and get your number there at the desk.
I don’t remember how many stations they had at the old Airline location, but there are 21 now plus a separate cashier and photo booth. Depending on what you’re there for the line moves fairly fast (things like title transfers get called less frequently than drivers licenses, etc.). I just happened to get the same lady I got last time I was at the DMV and I wish I could remember her name because she gives DMV ladies a good rep.
Best thing about the new location: after all of the paperwork/​vision test nonsense, you can now get your license printed in less than 30 seconds and walk out the door new license in hand! That is convenient. They still only take cash for drivers licenses.