Department of Motor Vehicles

I am from San Francisco and I needed some docs done ASAP. Yes, I have been to many DMV’s over the years, never Salinas tho. So I made an appointment on line on Tuesday and got a Friday SAME WEEK appointment. When I parked and walked up the line for people with no appointments was out the door, but the appointment line had no one. Showed my stuff and got a number. I sat for 14 minutes and was called. Bingo, case completed and on my way after paying etc — Full Trip Parking, being taken care of, and driving away — LESS than 60 minutes! The humor was when I commented to the person at the window how amazingly efficient Salinas was, she said the person with an appointment two people before me had also driven down from SF. All I can say to the people of Salinas, Please keep on showing up without appointments so us out-​of-​towners can still get fast service. It truly was my most successful time at any DMV yet, thanks good Salinas DMV people.

I understand why people give *most* DMVs an angry review. This location is not one of those run down dumps full of employees that aren’t trying, not by a long shot. I think the problem is that most people don’t make appointments, and don’t have their paperwork ready, so that take out their frustration on everyone around them for their poor planning. I’ve been to this location twice. Made an appointment, arrived 10 minutes early, checked in to the significantly shorter line for appointments only. Both times they had 8 or more windows open so every few minutes a new number is called. Spoke to the employee, got my business done, and was out within 15 – 20 minutes total. They have a huge parking lot, enough standing room inside and chairs for about 80+ people, clean bathrooms and two water fountains. I’m not really sure what more you can expect but this particular location is just fine by me.

If I could give this no stars, I would. This dmv must be the worst dmv in California. Workers are super slow and always seem to be in a bad mood. Always wait AT LEAST an hour just to get a ticket and sit back down just to be called. They definitely need more workers in here.

If I could give a half star I would because the staff are so rude, they don’t know how to treat the citizens of Salinas — they act as if we don’t know anything and they are better then us! I believe the only reason why anybody uses this office is because it is in town and nothing more! Definitely don’t recommend this office to anybody.

If you have to go to the DMV refrain from the one in Salinas. We waited two hours to get our call number and another two hours to get our number called on. It wasn’t busy at all. The employees kept leaving windows left empty repeatedly. Two recognizable employees leaving their work space constantly and doing nothing was a males with a fuzzy beard and a woman wearing a black suit and blue dress shirt. Also, there was an employee that seemed to be flirting while the line kept building up. Not going to return to this miserable and unpleasant experience. Going to Seaside from here on out as long as I’m in Monterey County.

The worst DMV in terms of staffing and environment. Take a Valium if you have no choice but to go here. Sucks just like the town its in.

This DMV is nice，so low person，severs very good，behind the wheel driving test have all language card with you direction，thanks for my wife is passing today！

Well this is the worse DMV I’ve ever had the pleasure /​ill fortune of being in. It smelled horrible and I had to leave. I ended up driving out of the way to another DMV and it was well worth it.

GO BACK !!! Don’t stay here !!! I thought the state had plenty of money again. Hire some people for this DMV. Not worth the trouble of waiting for hours and than treated horrible. I’ll make the trip to Hollister or Los Gatos before coming here again

This is such a horrible place! ! I’m not even talking about the wait I’m talking about the staff the lady’s are so rude and make you feel belittled! My worst experience at a DMV ever all the ladies talk about the people coming in. They just make it so uncomfortable I’m writing a letter to the head management! !

I don’t want to say the employees here are dumb. I would say they are just not trained very well. The «manager» who did our trailer inspection had to go back into the office several times to ask his boss questions on the inspection sheet. What??? An inspection that should have taken 5 minutes took 45 min.
After that I get to the counter and I am riddled with questions about our trailer all of which are on the inspection report. Seriously??? On top of that I get a $ 280 fine for not registering within 20days when I had looked it up and it said 30days. Not really worth arguing with them when you realize you are just talking to a glorified cashier. And that they have to ask there supervisor (10 min. consultation). I still stated my case. Then my cashier asks the girl next to her who needed help logging into her computer and then sat for 5 minutes chatting with her other neighbor (she likes to wear a hat and looks pretty hung over covered with splattered make up) about the rule and she spews something out contradicting what the internet says… So, now I’m pissed and told her this was BS. Now miss hangover chick (my cashiers neighbor) gets all pissy and says she can call the cops and have me arrested for swearing at a DMV. I only laughed. She then tells my cashier she wouldn’t even process my application. What??? Luckily, I have already been bilked out of my money and paperwork was done.
2 hours of my life gone… Thank you DMV.

Where to begin. Long lines, poor service, rude workers, hell even if you make an appointment you’re still waiting in line to be attended. I’ve never made an appointment and to be honest I’ve made it to the front of the non-​appointment line sooner than those that do have an appointment. Most of the people who come here are spanish speaking. YOUD THINK THEYD HIRE SPANISH SPEAKING PEOPLE. But Nooo! Gives them an excuse to be rude and reply, «I’m sorry I don’t speak spanish» It’s like you have roughly 13 – 16 windows and only one… TWO! at the most are open. No. I recomend a nice drive to Seaside, King City, Watsonville wherever because the drive you take is less of a wait time than what it will take for you to get a number here in Salinas. Only reason why I’m here or come here is because I get paid to be here. haha. The boss wants his autos, busses and semis registered. Hey come to Salinas DMV as I get paid by the hour… But aint no way aint no how I’d come here on my own dang time.

Not to sound like a broken record much like the other reviews but we have found the seventh circle of hell! The devil works the appointment counter and she wait for it… hates her job! Actually she reminded of Gollum from Lord of the Rings. saying in a slight cackle «your paperwork is filled out wrong my precious get it corrected and come back and stand in pergatory again» It’s really sad when the appointment line matches the same length as the non appt line. I would say thank goodness we had an appt but at this office it doesn’t ever seem to matter! For gods sake people make the drive to seaside where satan has been banished and it’s like the gates of heaven are waiting for you! We have decided although we don’t attend church every sunday we need more religion in our lives! I have seen hell and yes folks it’s right here in Salinas. all I can say in closing is Run run Run

Not even worth the one star!!! How can people be so rude!
Good thing I had a apt, first thing in the Am. They blamed me for the fact that they didn’t mail out my registration renewal. Horrible people who feel you are a second class citizen.

Horrible place. Hell on earth. Even with an appointment…

Feeling bad feeling sad feeling down little clown
Shitty life sorry job lonely life scary dreams
Too much Too Little
The man holding you down?
Visit this place
Visit it soon Visit it Now
Change your perception it will
This I Say
Turn your Frown into a Smile
Brighten the darkest of a Day
No matter how bad things may be for you
Your visit here is temporary
This I can guarantee to be true
So turn your frown into a smile
You will only be here for a while
Remember to be polite with a thank you and a please
What did you expect from the same government
That brought you bombs and welfare cheese???

I now understand how low and dark existence can be. I have come to terms with that side of life and the madness that it instills. I can only hope that the Mayan Apocalypse is faster and more pleasant than the throbbing and agonizing torture endured in this wretched dungeon. In the end there will be no screams of agony for that type of screams comes from hopeful lives that deep down hold on to chance and dreams.
Please do stop by this establishment because you too have hopes and dreams that must be burned from your soul to accompany my hopeless, perishing form.

Probably the worst DMV I have ever been in any state, lines are slow and employees are rude. They make it seem that there are doing you a favor by helping you. They should be glad they are still employed, specially with our tax dollars.
All my friends including myself rather drive up to Seaside or Watsonville. There is often long lines and even if employees are on break they often give the wrong impression by chit chatting or just standing around while frustrated customer’s wait for hours.
Don’t even try to beat the crowd people always line up one or two hours before it opens.