Department of Motor Vehicles

Ref: San Jose Martinvale office.
1÷28÷2016
I was served by your employee Toan at window 11 at 12:15 PM. HE was arrogant rude and very disrespectful.
I was there to renew my class C license with a 5^th wheel recreational vehicle 15 000 lbs endorsement. I had printed out pertinent information from the DMV website to clarify this process as I had been warned that it is complicated and that DMV employees were usually not familiar with it.
Toan refused to listen to me and insisted that I needed a class A non commercial license. He reluctantly took my print out and tossed it aside without looking at it. He then left his window and talked with other employees. When he returned I asked if he would return my printout. He tossed it toward me and said «Knock yourself out.»
I was polite and civil throughout this process. I don’t know what his problem is. I suspect he doesn’t like old white people.
He was wrong about the non commercial class A. At window 4 two different managers helped and got me set up with the trailer endorsement.

This is my go to DMV office always in n out within minutes as long as you get there early.

Always a great time coming to DMV…
NOT!
Better off coming first thing in the morning
I know people complain about it but you try n come in day in n day out dealing with this crap!
Not a job for me

Might be an easy place to test but the examiner I got was fucking rude. I made a mistake with turning off the emergency break and she said «Driving isn’t just to look pretty honey.» Like what the fuck? I know that. That’s why I want my damn license. And it’s funny. After the test we went to my mom and all of a sudden she’s so polite and nice. Haha I don’t know what the system is here but I feel that they try to intimidate you. I felt that her attitude was unnecessary. Idk who she is but she’s a white lady with ugly ass purple eyeliner.

Driving testers are rude, front desk is incompetent. I’m thoroughly disappointed and annoyed at this whole process. Shut this place down or hire newer, younger staff.

I accidentally threw away my new driver license that I got in the mail so I had to get a replacement. The earliest appointment I could make on the website was more than a month away. I couldn’t wait that long because mine had already expired.
Came in without an appointment at 10AM expecting to be there for 2 hours but I was in and out in 45 minutes. I felt the place was very organized. The worker gave me a pretty good estimated wait tome when I asked. Everyone was really nice and friendly here.

I was pleased with my experience at this DMV! My examiner appeared strict but that is expected on a drivers test. She explained to me what I could improve on at the end of the test. I had a better experience here than at the Santa Clara DMV. The lines were fairly short too. If you guys need a location to take the drivers test, I recommend this one because the roads are more wide.

At any DMV always try to make an appointment, it makes a big time difference. If you don’t have an appointment make sure you get there early before they open to save your self the trouble of waiting in such a long line. I was able to get an appointment on Friday and it went by fast! DMV’s open at 8am on Fridays so this location I got here at 7:40am and I was 5^th in line, it went by fast!

If only I can do negative stars! The people here are mean and always in a foul mood.
Background:
My wife and I are transplants from Kentucky (KY), we have 3 cars (2012 — 2014) and we both needed new drivers licenses. I picked early in the month to avoid last minute procrastinators or Holiday rush. I did my homework, made my appointment for 12/​10/​2015, gathered all of my material, including the purchasing contracts.
Trip #1
1). I was turned away when I was told my KY drivers license was not an official government ID. I needed to bring my Passport instead.
2). I was asked to pull my vehicle around the back for verification. No issues, I pulled up and waited a good 10 minutes before someone finally came to me (there were NO vehicles ahead of me, it was raining but there is a canopy covering the area). Then I was asked to step out of the car and open the Hood, strange but I did it. Never a smile the whole time, but he was ok to stop working and chat with his co-​workers while I waited and the cars started to line up behind me.
3) I went inside and was told that I needed SMOG check. When I asked that the web site indicated that cars 4 years or newer don’t need SMOG check? She looked at me with the same fake smile (regarding my KY DL as not a official government issued ID) and said, well you are from out of state. But she hesitated no time to take my $ 315.
Trip #2
4) I spent $ 185 and of course my cars passed the SMOG tests and brought car #2 to the DMV for the verification so when my wife goes, she can verify the 3^rd car and we will be done! Again, I waited and waited. Then I heard people shouting «Why are you shouting at me? Can’t you just treat me with some respect? We are all human beings here!» Then the DMV lady barked «I am not talking to you and walked away.» Oh boy… I prayed I wouldn’t have to deal with that.
5) So I Gave all the paper work to my wife so she can get the plates. They issued her temporary plates because my wife did not bring the pay off letters and apparently, I signed the wrong line for one of the cars. So instead of cross it off, they forces us to do another verification all because I signed the wrong line.
Trip #4
6) The vehicle verification did it again. Wait 10 minutes for someone to come out. Took his sweet time and of course, typical side track conversations with co worker as I sat and waited. What irked me was that there were at least 10 cars waiting for drivers test. When one person came out and asked for help and stated there was a long line, the person said «what line? this is just how it is» Mind you, the guy was not working, he was BSing with my guy who was trying to verify my car!
7). At the counter I was not given the form to fill out for Drivers License when I stated I was there to obtain new license and registration as I recently moved to CA. When I returned, smiling, I was told «well you didn’t tell me» yep it’s my fault. Its always the customers’ fault.
8). Finally, got to the registration person. He shouted «Why J!!» I thought he wanted to punch me. So I said, «excuse me, can you repeat that?» He said, «why J and in the other section you wrote your entire middle name?» I didn’t expect to be yelled at for going to the DMV, then I recalled the motorcycle test person the previous week. Not surprised.
9). Then the person handling my drivers license mis-​spelled my last name. When I caught it, I had to go back to the person, waited of course. Re-​take my picture (waited some more) only to go back to the person that screwed up my name and this time, wait 30 more minutes.
10). The written test. Oh, it asked questions that are completely irrelevant and out dated. Such as:
a) What to do during hydroplane? Firmly press the breaks (which is what you should do with today’s NEW cars) was wrong, instead it wanted you to select «pump breaks»
b) What is the fine for dropping off dogs on the side of the road? This is a morale, ethical, legal issue. It has nothing to do with driving!!!

BLUF: My ‘favorite’ DMV to go to in the south bay. Hurts to say but I’ve never been in here more than 45 minutes with scheduled appointments.
I was recently back at the Santa Teresa DMV to have my motorcycle license added to my Class C license. I had made an appointment three weeks prior when I would be back home in California and scheduled it for the first available time, 9:15AM.
Even though my situation was slightly complicated, I had an Army accident avoidance validation and was under 21, I was in and out in 45 minutes. This included me taking a class C license test, a motorcycle test, photos, and filling out paper work. The only downside was when I called in, they said there would not be a permit test of any sort and no additional charges but I ended being charged $ 33 as I had to retake two different tests.
All in all, MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AND IT WILL MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER. I don’t understand when people come into the DMV the morning of, with urgent paper work and getting frustrated. Unless it is a last minute issue, book an appointment and you will be in and out in a jiffy.

I had to reschedule my DMV appointment due to some office conflicts. So I moved it from San Jose (W Alma Ave) to Santa Teresa. My appointment was at 13:15 and since I had reached there at 12:00, they asked me to return at 13:00. When I was back at that time, had no much wait and was on my car in no time for the test. The DMV inspector Anna was very courteous and things went on ease. The driving test route is unambiguous and peaceful. Good luck with your test /​appointment.

Came here on a Saturday morning and it was such a pleasant experience! I normally dread going to the DMV because of horror stories I’ve heard, but my appointment couldn’t have been any easier.
I arrived 30 min before my 9am appointment and they took me right away. The lady at the front desk, as well as the man who helped me with processing my license renewal, were helpful, pleasant and friendly.
I was in and out within 15 minutes! This included filling out the application, processing, eye exam, finger printing, and picture taking. Wow. I can’t speak for those who come without an appointment, but because of my good experience, I would advise to make an appointment ahead of time.
The only con is the lady at the photo section had me go sit at a computer for a license exam and I frustratingly tried to work the computer (my info wouldn’t go through because I actually didn’t need to take another exam) but this was quickly rectified by another employee.
Other than this minor mishap, I recommend!

Avoid at all cost, literally the worst employees. Came I’m with a positive attitude to take a driver test and the 3 people I interacted with were so rude. If you hate people don’t work in a job that you interact with people/​if you hate your job, find a new one.

Our hero can’t ever remember a time when he was in and out of the DMV in under 30 minutes and when all the staff there were pleasant. However, THIS WAS IT. (Granted that he did make an appointment online for his driver’s license renewal, which made the lineups a lot shorter). Thank you, DMV, for making bureaucratic hell a little less hellish.
PROS:
— The parking spots are angled and the parking lot is wide, so you don’t need to worry much about new drivers bumping into your car here.
— Lines are the shortest of any DMV in the South Bay.
— Surprisingly pleasant employees.
— Relatively clean and well maintained.
CONS:
— It’s sort of in the middle of a commercial zone, so there’s not a lot to do in terms of convenient errands or restaurants close by.

Had a 2:30 appointment to register my car here from out of state. Took about 2 mins to make the appointment online a week before. They even called me to remind me about the appointment. Went over the info on the DMV website, printed, and filled out all my forms in advance.
Got there at 220 and got in line for the people who had appointments. The walk in line was out the door with about 150 people already inside. Waited a few mins in line and gave the lady my name and appointment time. She looked over my paperwork to confirm it was all the documentation I needed and told me to pull around the building to have the vehicle inspected.
Per the sign, I stood next to my car waiting for the inspection. After about 10 mins a drive tester returned from a test and helped me. Confirmed the VIN and plates then gave me the form so I could complete the process. Went back inside and got my ticket to go to a window. At this point there were still hundreds of people waiting and I was next up. For the love of God, make an appointment, have your paperwork ready, and be polite to the people there.
Ended up waiting about 10 mins then got called to a window. Took about 5 mins for the lady to enter everything. I used the fee calculator on the DMV site in advance to get the exact change to pay and walked out the door with my new plates by 2:50.
The one thing to be aware of at this location, the cell reception if awful and there’s no wifi. So bring a book, or just make an appointment so you won’t have long to wait.

Typical disgruntled workers, long wait and poor reception. As if being at a dmv isn’t bad enough you are now forced to look at the TV monitors with trivia like «how much does a mac book air weigh» because you have absolutely no reception! The workers act as though you aren’t paying for their services and can treat you like you’re not worthy. Tip: fill out the «how are we doing“card. Take one so the clerk sees you’re going to rate them!!!

I had an appointment today for my DL and the instructor was an Asian guy with glasses, black hair. Plus I do not understand when he was asking me questions because his English is so poor :/​. I was driving normal and followed all directions he said «Left, right, turn». I drove about 15 minutes with this grumpy and I just kept myself calm the whole time. After that, we came back to the dmv and parked in the front and he said «NOT TODAY» and next time dont drive this car because you don’t handle it good. I didn’t know what I did wrong until I read the only comment he put «Applicant hit the curb» I swear in my grandmothers grave that I did not hit any curb. Avoid this guy. I like the other girl Brianna.
A message for that Asian guy/​glasses/​long-​ish black hair and hoping you read this! You do not get to decide what type of car people get and as long as you are not paying my fuc**** bills you have no right tell me or other people sh**. I work hard everyday just like you to save money and get the things we want and need. I thougt about what you said for a little bit: you said «and oh next time dont drive this car because you don’t handle it good». And YES I will bring my 412 horsepower again next time! You are so unprofessional! Please take ESL too you really need it and its very important that people will understang you. Just telling you!

It is impossible to find parking in the lot and it is incredibly crowded and old inside. I’ve been here several times over the past 8 years for various reasons and nothing has changed about the parking problem or the old seats and cramped space inside. While waiting, you are required to sit a little closer to strangers than desired as well as listen to the lady’s voice calling out numbers. At least the automated voice sounds happy and awake when announcing the numbers and windows.
HOWEVER, the wait isn’t too bad if you schedule an appointment ahead of time. For example, my boyfriend had a scheduled appointment today and we were in and out within 20 – 25 minutes. Unfortunately, the women next to me who walked in without an appointment had not even been helped at all in over 1.5 hours.

The workers provide poor customer service, have an attitude problem, act like they hate their job /​lives, etc. I’ve always had poor experiences here that make a great story to share with others.
Today was no exception. A confused elderly man left window #5, next to me. The DMV employee started talking shit about him to the lady who was helping me at window #4. DMV Santa Teresa: keeping it classy & professional, lol

This dmv is bigger and the lines are not that bad. The workers here are nice, but some can be rude. Don’t forget to make an appointment if you don’t want to wait in the long line.
The driving test was pretty okay with big open space going like 35 to 40 mph in a business and 25 mph in a residential area. Remember try not to get the chubby Filipino lady, because she failed. I got lucky my second time with a mexican lady.