Department of Motor Vehicles

I’ve been to this location 6 times now, each time someone told me I needed a different document despite asking them to check all my other paperwork to make sure I could complete it the following time. M. WEST was the first nice person I encountered and despite needing one more document, she. explained the other things I was told I needed were not necessary. I really hope DMV can get it together and make it clear as to which documents are needed.

I was out with my new registration in under ten minutes! I withheld the fifth star bc despite my attempts at friendliness, the woman I interacted with was just rude. It was as if she was determined to be that way, no matter what I said. It must be in the employee handbook.

The Virginia DMV says the supervisor at the DC DMV was so very wrong… :(
I’ll be back at some DMV or both again tomorrow. It’s a good thing my boss loves me.

I guess it varies during the time of day. The service was fast and all staff members were professional and knowledgeable of my concerns. Get organization, and strong team performance.

been here a couple of times the past year to get driving licenses renewed and they’ve got it all organized and I found the experience much more enjoyable than I expected.

This location is so sad. Ex ray machine and medal detecter. People wait a half hour or more. It almost going in the a prison. Next door a small carry food place. Subway upper level. CVS and more. I wood not go here again. Georgetown DMV is a lot better.
Driver License
515 S. Pine St. Georgetown
Washington, DC
You will thank me for it.

final update: spoke to the office and asked if they could fedex (i paid). i got the license in the end. the other license arrive 21 days after it was mailed.
update — I still havent gotten my license and it has been over a week. have to downgrade for now as the initial experience was 5 stars, but …
original — With all the frustration and commentary on our current government shutdown, I thought this would be good to highlight — so in my recent travels my id went missing. No ID while out of state is problem. Called the DMV in DC (where I am a resident and have no representation in congress), and assumed a painful process since I had no identification, and didn’t have my driver’s license number. I was wrong. Within 20 minutes by phone and online, they have processed my license and are sending it to me. They even contacted me to let me know the status and to assure me that I would be with identity on paper very soon. I will never complain about the lines at a DMV again! A huge thank you to Tricia Green and the woman who took my call initially who sadly I didn’t get the name.

A speeding ticket from a few months ago was never sent or served to me. I found out when I went online to pay a parking ticket. I sent the payment in good faith and was notified I owe a fine now for being late to pay the speeding ticket. I requested forgiveness and was told that since I paid the ticket I now owe the late fee… ???
Their response letter was signed:
[nobody]
It feels like the time I was in Mexico and a Federalie pulled us over for allegedly speeding and blowing an ‘alto’ sign on the prior day (when we were in Arizona). At least he didn’t fine us for paying a day late.
Straight gangster DC DMV… straight gangster!

This DMV is just as crowded and crazy like any other DMV in the country. However, depending on what time of day and when you enter the facility, you just might get decent service even if you have to wait for a while. On a positive note, they are open until 4 pm on Saturdays.

I went to this DMV hoping to get a Washington DC license from my Virginia License. I was also going to change my name to my new married name. I printed off the list of forms did my research and brought my marriage license. The woman at the check in desk even asked me to see each document that was on the checklist before she gave me my number. I waited one hour only to be told that I had to change my name with the social security office before I went to the DMV!!! Why was I not told this when I searched online or when I checked in and they looked at my documents. What a waste of my time! Warning to those ladies who have to change your name. Go to the social security office first because the DC DMV won’t tell you to do so before.

I’m reviewing this location because I been to 3 other locations that were terrible and that is my comparison, the worst is still c street to me. Now this location is far for me but they have free parking, that is one star. The security guard are polite, that is another star. The line wasn’t bad for saturday at 10 am (because I woke up late). I waited 15 minutes to get my number, I was missing a document and they allowed me to have it faxed over. Wait and she was really nice with a smile! Before I could even get to a chair to sit and make the call to get my document faxed my number got called. Well I told her my situation and she got me started and told me to come back to her when i get the last document. Another person that was nice and smile. Well I got my document and when back to the same lady. By the time I was done, they were calling my name for my photo. Wow! Then I waited about 5 minutes for my brand new DC license! Best experience ever at a DC DMV.

I am also reviewing the DMV. I have lived in many cities in many state, and the experience I just had on the phone with the DC DMV… was out of this world. And not just for the DMV. It was fantastic, kind, polite service by any measure.
The woman had a southern accent — maybe that’s just southern hospitality.
Thank you DC DMV telephonic customer service!

that’s right. i’m reviewing a DMV. why? because they deserve some sort of shout out, even if just here.
it’s not much to look at, but the people are NICE. actually NICE. i don’t know what it is about getting six pieces of paper together, but it stresses me out. I think it’s more of the anticipation of getting yelled at or having someone tell me it’s not their job, or «we stopped providing that service yesterday» or get back in line, or. whatever. They were patient and kind. It’s a little sad that we expect to be abused and reward people for being kind and for doing their job, but since that’s how it is, here is my big THANK YOU to all the nice folks in SE.

If you’re getting your tonsils out, you’d at least like a comfortable hospital bed. If you have to go on an awkward first date, you’d at least want some good wine. Likewise, I can’t promise you that your experience at the Penn Branch DMV will be pleasant, but at least it won’t be terrible.
My two experiences at this DMV office have been thoroughly non-​terrible. Everyone who works there has been funny, polite, and effective (if operating at a glacial pace). They have a fairly smooth system that seems to work. You’ll have to wait (it’s a DMV run by the DC government), but you’ll always know what you’re waiting for.
The only caveat: part of your wait will be outside (under cover, but outside nonetheless). I’ve gone in nice weather both times, but if it were really hot or really cold that initial 20 minutes outside would suck.