Registry of Motor Vehicles

I think this place gets a bad rap based on some crap public servants. I also know everyone hates the stupid red tape of government documentation and small variances that can seize a smooth experience to a halt and turn it into multiple visits. But I showed up on a Wednesday at exactly noon waited in line for about 3 minutes, all papers in hand for an out of state license conversion. Waiting in the seating area for about 20 minutes. The guy that helped me was very laid back and got all my papers done fast with zero snags. Had me on my way in about 15 minutes. Though I have been there with my girlfriend before and the line goes all the way out and to target. Then you get in and ultimately get turned away because you don’t have a stamp or verification of some kind.

I just moved from CA to MA, and i needed an «out of state conversion.» I came with all of my paperwork filled and «Ready to Go.» The man who was working obviously doesn’t know how to do his damn job. I, just like other person, brought my original acceptance letter from the school as a proof of residency. It had my full name, address/​resident, and it was signed my an official who had access to my records. Not to mention, this is exactly what is needed and it is specified on the «List of acceptable forms» that he handed to me. His dumbass responded «doesn’t have your date of birth on it, i can’t accept this.»
Excuse me, but the list that you gave me just now listed «MA SCHOOL LETTER» and stated that it needed to have my name, address, and signed my an official who had access to my records. And a document cannot be used for more than one category. I needed this as proof of RESIDENCY not proof of DOB. he abruptly said, «Next!»
He does not know how to do his job. Someone please make him work for Walmart or something.

This place is not so bad. I came here again to register my vehicle and had a pleasant experience, much better than my first time.

Like everyone else, I made the trip to this RMV expecting the worst. It really wasn’t that bad. I went on a Friday morning (9am) for an out of state conversion. At best the workers were friendly and helpful, and at worst they were unsmiling yet functional. No one was rude at any point. All in all, I think I spent an hour and a half there, and everything went smoothly. There’s a lot of waiting involved, but that is to be expected. I doubt that the RMV has enough funding to hire enough staff to help the massive number of people and so things move slowly.
If you are planning on making a trip to the RMV in the future, there are two thins you should know:
1. Do your homework. Check and double check online that you have the appropriate paperwork, properly filled out in black printed ink. All of the forms you need are on the mass RMV website. Make sure you bring the right documentation (originals) and keep in mind that a many documents cannot be used twice Ina transaction (for example, a document used as proof of signature cannot also be used as proof of residence, etc.) Make sure you have the right method of payment with you. You can use credit/​debit cards for only some transactions, so check the website and find out what method of payment will be accepted for your transaction.
2. Be prepared to wait. Bring a book, and iPad, music, whatever to pass the time. If you go into this experience expecting a wait and having budgeted time for it, it will be much easier to relax and not worry about the fact that you are spending hours in a line.
3. Finally, if you are going to get a new/​replace, net driver’s license, don’t expect to walk out with said license. You will get a placeholder that cannot be used as an ID and your actual license will be mailed to you. I made the mistake of making plans to meet a friend at a bar this weekend and now cannot because the RMV required that I surrender my out of state license, and the new one will not come for a few days. I look rather young, so I always get carded… Will have to hold off on any bar plans until the new license arrives.
I gave this RMV 3 stars because the wait sucked and a few staff members could have done with a smile. Who ever manages the RMV should really think about how he can make the workdays a little better for the employees so that they’re not so clearly bored and frustrated all day. If this was an actual business, I would have given it one star. As an RMV, it could be worse. Also, plenty of free parking was available and there is an atm right inside the doors to the mall, in case you need cash for your transaction.
I hope your trip goes smoothly!

Ok so no one loves going to the RMV, that’s expected, and I had very LOW expectations. With that said, this place is horrible. The woman who helped me gave me attitude from the beginning. I wasn’t quick enough, then she was annoyed my check didn’t have my phone number on it, she stated I should have been prepared because I was in the express lane (yet no one tells you that you’re in any express line). I guess I just made her so miserable that she thought it was appropriate to belittle me. The whole transaction once at the counter only took 2 minutes, so it’s funny she was so irritated with me, plus I was nothing but friendly. A little patience on her part would have been nice.
What a horrible and embarrassing example of a government run department. People who treat customers like that anywhere else would not find employment. Thank goodness that 99% of the time I can use their online services.

It wasnt as bad as i thought. The ladies helping me for registration and out of state license conversion were actually very helpful. I am new to this but they were helpful. Pretty much ahd documentation really which helped. The ladies at the front handing tickets were nastier. But those who helped me actually made me laugh and were very helpful.
Got there about 45 minutes before it opened and was out within an hour of starting the process.

Many here will complain about the wait; however, it’s something you can plan for (get there 30 mins early and you’re out in an hour total time.
Where they are horrible is customer service. Went to do out of state conversions for license and registration. Didn’t have correct paperwork for registration apparently, even though my insurance claimed I did and my forms matched what was required online. I did; however, have all correct paperwork for license but the employee refused to help with the license and refused to make eye contact with me. Drove an hour to another RMV and had license conversion done within about an hour of being there including wait time.
Note: call your insurance and ask them to recommend RMV. Mine told me afterwards that they consistently have complaints from the Watertown location

Horrible service. Everyone there has an attitude. the lady giving so much shit and i was talking nicely to her all the time.

The woman who processed ticket B115 (counter 3) on 10÷9÷2015 was extremely rude. The waiting time was much longer than the estimated time.

Hey, whee, I need to get my license renewed and I can’t do it online because I need a vision exam, hooray, yay!
Ugh.
Above root canals and that pedicure where you stick your feet in a bath of hungry fish, I hate the idea of physically entering an RMV. Visions of ruthless inefficiencies exacted by calloused employees who are nearly impossible to work with dance in my head like rotten sugar plums.
And lo, it’s in the Watertown mall? Dios mio. Arriving minutes after opening, I’m met with a queue of 100+ that snakes past the Target and wraps around the still-​gated storefronts.
But here’s the scoop: it’s not awful. It’s not even bad; the entire experience was A-​OK, and here’s why:
— For license renewals which require a new photo but not a vision exam, there’s a Express Kiosk out front. Employees scour the queue to check who qualifies.
— The initial line moves fairly quickly in an air conditioned setting, and for those onsite for non-​testing/​appellate reasons, you’ll be surprised at your wait. Once I got my ticket, I sat for three minutes. Three.
— Only one staffer was a nudge. The rest, patient and pleasant (particularly the actual agent who handled my renewal). It’s a mutual respect thing; grumps going in get the grump in return.
— Free wifi, in case that wait time is a complete lie. Don’t expect to stream Netflix, but lolcats on Youtube are entirely possible.
All in all, a painless procedure. Good thing it only comes around once every decade.

This has to be the worst run business that I have ever encountered. Seriously, thus could be part of The Amazing Race as a Block to take someone out of the game.
I came back with a «low wait» number for my license plate transfer from Texas. I have been waiting over an hour and seen 4 people that came in behind me walk out with their plates.
When I inquired at the counter, I was told to sit down and wait for my number to be called.
So much for customer service.

I’ve attempted to call them for 3 weeks now. The wait is so long that they offer to call back. Then I get a call three days later while I am at work.
Also the online service do NOT work and will not let me book a road test. (Because there are no available dates in the future)
I am not one to be harsh, although everyone in that office should be fired, then go through a re-​hiring process. The government should pay for a private company to do this because they are failing.

It is such an awful place!!!
ALL the employees are condescending and rude!

Went on a Friday evening. The line was so quick I almost didn’t have time to fill out the form!
I hate getting bureaucratic stuff wrong, and this time it happened again, but the lady in the counter helped me out and I actually came out with my problem solved. Who knew? The RMV CAN BE effective and efficient.

Condescending.
I don’t know if it was the person who helped us out, or if it is a standard at this location. But they were extremely condescending to us. We recently moved to MA from out of state, and had to register our cars in MA. It’s not a fun process. It’s a pretty basic process, but every state has their intricacies, so we don’t know all the MA rules by heart. These guys do… because that’s all they do… it’s their job. But wow, if you ask them a question, or are slow to respond to their questions, they are extremely short and condescending.
On the flip-​side, I also registered a car at the Downtown Crossing location, and they were extremely nice and efficient.

Awful, awful, awful. Awful employees, awful location, awful waiting times – just such a horrible experience! I am not a US citizen but I did not realize I needed to bring my passport and greencard because it WAS NOT on the website. So what happened after I waited my hour and a half in line (though the ticket said it would be approximately 25 minutes)? I was received by a rude, incompetant, and just negative lady who didn’t even try to soften the blow when she told me I didn’t have paperwork needed. She rudely shoved me back all my papers and said in a rude tone to bring the CORRECT papers and come back another day. I was obviously angry and upset that I had just wasted 2 hours of my day over nothing but couldn’t even stop to complain as the next person in line shoved through.
So so so disappointed. Would give 0 stars if possible. I think I’ll try Wilmington’s rmv next time because i definitetly will never come back to Watertown Rmv. Thanks for nothing!!!

I can’t believe I’m giving the RMV 4 stars… but this place impressed me. This was, hands down, the best experience at an RMV I’ve ever had. I went to the Chinatown DMV 5 days in a row to convert my out of state license and registration, and failed each time, so I was really dreading the 6^th attempt. The woman who helped me was not only helpful and efficient, but actually SMILED at me. I was in and out in 30 minutes, I could not believe it. There was none of that nonsense that you have to get 2 separate tickets for 2 transactions, she took care of everything!
I got there very very early, knowing that it opened at 10AM (it opens late on Thursdays). It was about 8:50AM when I arrived, and most people in line assumed they were open at 9AM. It says very clearly everywhere online that they open at 10AM on Thursdays, so any reviews bashing them for this are written by people who didn’t do their homework.
Either way, during the hour I spent in line waiting for it to open, a RMV worker went down the line to answer everyone’s questions and make sure we had all our paperwork. Very impressed by this place, so I had to share.

A Day of My Life I will Never get Back.
My main question is are these people individually rude or is there a culture of rudeness at this RMV? I just spent 7.5 hours — from 9am until 4:30 — trying to deal with a simple car purchase. (you can’t do it online or at one of the ‘RMV light’ locations).
Highlights
1. Four trips back and forth to get more information that they didn’t ask for before.
– A pamphlet or webpage that gives you ALL the information you need would be nice. (the webpage they have didn’t list the things I needed.)
2. Sarcastic attitude from hello. (1 lady was nice — 2 were not.) (avoid the people at window 7 and window 14, if you can)
3. Long wait times — 1 hour plus per visit — and VERY uncomfortable seats. (bring a cushion and work on your laptop, if you can.)
I finally ended up going to another RMV and everything went smoothly. Never going back to Watertown.
I’ve been to 2 other RMV’s and the AAA center and only at the Watertown RMV have I ever experienced such rudeness.

Came here for car registration renewal. My ticket said, waiting time would be 11 minutes. I actually waited 50 minutes. Business as usual, I guess.

Abandon all hope! Bring a book because you’ll be waiting for eternity. Make sure all your paperwork checks out I.e.
Registration app, title, ID and BRING CHECKS. they will accept cards for only certain things.
Fukk this place. You’re tearing me apart, Lisa!