Rated one star because I can't rate any lower. I usually have a not so bad experience at this DMV, however, after today's excursion. I will NEVER be going to this DMV ever again. Wait time for me was over 4 hours. Yeah. Apparently I'm not the only one. Someone I know had a 6 hour wait time a week before. I was stuck waiting, cramped next to strangers, no extra seating anywhere and the letters being called were never in my letter grouping (some letters seem to get called the most few and and far between). After waiting for 4 hours and 15 minutes, I FINALLY get called up. This lady seemed genuine and wanted to help AT FIRST. I told her what my situation was and that I needed to pay registration. I was told that I can't, someone else has to. She didn't ask for my name, my ID, where I was coming from. She had it set in her mind that I cannot pay my registration. I try and figure this out with her and she is getting smug and is done with me. I'm not the easiest of customers but I'm also non-confrontational. She finally says to me, point blank there's nothing she can do. That I have to come back. I made sure she knew I sat there for over 4 hours and that the DMV process here needs to change. I don't care if you have too many customers, there NEEDS to be a system change at this DMV and frankly, most DMVS. Other counters were chatting up customers, getting them off track with tasks and prolonging everyone's wait times. Unprofessional! AVOID CARMICHAEL DMV AT ALL COSTS!!!!!!! read more

So I had to do some adulting on my day off and update my address while obtaining a new License(my picture sucked). I made an appointment maybe a week or 2 before and I am soooooo glad that I did. My appointment was at 2pm and I was early and arrived around 1:30. There was a line out the door! Never in my life have I seen that.... While it was moving quick it was still long. I walked in the door around 1:45 and walked to the appointment line. There were 6? people ahead of me. I went up to the window, explained my needs and had to fill out a form. The guy that helped me at the first window was super chill and was multi tasking like a beast! He was keeping the flow going for sure. When I was done I got my number and I had 4 people ahead of me in that alpha numeric category. I waited about 10 minutes if that and I was called up, paid my fee of $27 and was on my way to the window to take my new picture which was done in a flash(get it?) haha. I was done in less time than I had anticipated. Overall not too bad as long as you make an appointment! read more

I've been here 4 hours so far. I showed up before the office opened as well. I would advise everyone to always make an appointment. I might die in this place. read more

I prefer this dmv over the Broadway location. The wait is about the same. But the workers are way friendlier!

thank you Michelle! You work very hard and everyone else within your team. Most places don't get the compliments they needed like the DMV or fast food but I recognized the difficulty your work loads can be. Good job to you guys. read more

If you must go to DMV, come here. I did REAL ID and did not make an appt since I lagged on renewing my DLs so yes I spent my birthday at the DMV. I arrived at 800am on a Friday when the doors opened. There were 3 people ahead of me in the non-appt line. You must stand here to get a number. There is plenty of seats which is nice compared to Broadway. read more

I hate the DMV . It's taking too long to get my license in the mail!!! It's holding up my life. I can't stand it. Plus the employees are almost always rude. I've worked in customer service for over 10 years . I don't treat customers like they do. I wish the DMV staff would be more professional. I overheard very distasteful things one employee said to another. read more

Its just like every other DMV. Be smart and make an appointment like I did and you will be in and out in 10 minutes. Or you can just show up and wait hours to be seen. read more

Worst ever. Short staffed. Waited 3.5 hours WITH an appointment. The absolute worst. The only redeeming factor was the friendly clerk. It's almost like they know you have to be there so why work any faster than a snail's pace. Painful. read more

Got here at 9:08 it's 11:02 and im still 20 numbers away from being called..worst dmv wait ever.

This is literally the worst DMV I've ever been to. I made an appointment to renew my registration and when I arrive for my appointment they tell me the systems are down and they can't do it. What the what? What does "systems down" even mean? And this is not the first time something ridiculous like this has happened to me at this DMV. In general, the workers here are just lazy, curt and unhelpful. Seriously, do not waste your time at this DMV. Go to Roseville, Broadway, or Florin Rd. If you come here it will only be a waste of time. read more

Went back, and my wait time was nice and short. However, the man I dealt with at the window was rude, very rude. I was just letting him know that my address on my driver's license is different than listed, and he replies, "I KNOW." Really?? With these shitty, rude, short answers, and you're working in customer service? Ya, good luck with that. And to think I have to come back here in the future... read more

I must say when I went here in October, it was my best DMV experience ever. Lisa who is the supervisor/manager there went above and beyond for me and she didn't even have to. She got on the phone with mandatory actions unit for me and worked her magic for an issue I needed resolving with them. I don't know what she said to them but she came back about 15 mins later and said you're all good to go. Now anybody who has ever called MAU knows it's almost impossible to get through to them but thank God she works for the DMV and has a direct number to them. Lisa you are the real MVP. Special shouts out to Jan and the nice lady at window 24 I think, forgot her name but they also played a role also. read more

RUDE EMPLOYEES! I go to the DMV a lot due to the nature of my work and I decided to make an appt and go this location because it was on my way home. Bad decision! Had to get a car inspected and verified before I could register. I pull up, wait patiently for an hour in my car, a man by the name of Dimitri comes out to verify my car and after looking at the year/make very rudely says "go to CHP!" and just walks away. So I ask him nicely what does that mean? Why would I go to the CHP? He again very loudly and rudely yells that again and goes inside the building. I was shocked and humiliated at this point because everyone was staring at us and he was yelling at me for no reason when I was just trying to ask him a simple question. I then asked another employee who was verifying another car what that means and what I have to do and he was just as rude but at least he told me that sometimes before a car can be registered it has to be inspected by the CHP and told me where to go. NON DMV WORKERS WOULD NOT know this information especially if it's their first time so it would be helpful if Dimitri had simply explained that to me and given me info on what CHP office I had to go to. I left furious and so upset that a man would get in my face like that and yell. I spoke with a manager and she apologized but no customer should ever be yelled at like that. I will never go there again!!!!!! read more

This is the most pleasant experience I've ever had at DMV! The customer service was outstanding and the whole experience was less than 30 minutes. I would encouraged you to make an appointment as the line for non appointments was out the door. The representative even renewed my license for me even though that isn't what I was there for. read more

Bathrooms are discussing and not handicap accessible you can't get a walker close to the sink

Went to renew my DL and a legitimately pleasant experience. The people working there were pleasant and helpful.

Compared to many other DMVs I have been to this location seems to have it together. I will definitely be using this office for all my needs. read more

Worst DMV place ever. Don't come to this one! I took my permit test today and the lady in there was rude. It took me about 2-3 hours wait just to take my permit test and there were only two people in the test room. Even if you make an appointment it's still such a long wait. read more

This is a review for the new ticketing system, whoever came up with the idea is dumb as shit, so everyone knows you are going to be waiting for a while whenever you come to the DMV, however they are now implementing this new system where you don't get a physical ticket to hang on to, so now your number is just your first and last initial plus your last four numbers of your phone number and it is the worst idea ever, at least before you had a way of gauging how long you have more to wait now it's just a shitshow of random numbers on the screen and you have no idea of where your place in line is or even if they put you in the computer yet the people that came up with this idea are dumb as hell, IF YOU ARE GOING TO CHANGE SOMETHING BE SURE YOU ARE MAKING IT BETTER NOT WORSE ESPECIALLY AT THE DMV read more

This place is horrible! Granted it's a DMV. Apparently 15 people who work here just decided not to show up as over half of the entire office is missing! The gentleman in the testing area was incredibly rude to almost everyone who walked in. Waited in line for 4 hours just to take a permit test! Will never ever come here again read more

All I wanted to do was renew my registration, but nothing comes easy when it comes to the dmv. Got here at 930 and am still sitting here. It's currently 1:18 pm. Don't normally write reviews but kinda ran out of things to do read more

If I could give them negative stars I would. I am from Utah and the DMV's there are way better. When I first move to California I got a new registration and plates for my car. I asked them if they needed to see my car insurance and they denied. About 6 months later I got married and changed my name so I got a new license. They told me my registration was suspended because I didn't have up to date insurance. I had both my old insurance and new insurance in my hand with me while I was there. The lady proceeded to tell me that she couldn't do anything about it and to call a number. I call the number and waited on hold for about 2 hours. They told me to email my insurance and some other information so I did. A month goes by and I hear nothing in return, so I call and wait on hold again. They tell me they have not even processed my information yet and to resend the email again. Another month goes by no response. I call them again. They tell me they are still processing but will call me with any updates. I never received a call or email. My registration renewal came in the mail and I paid the fee. They cashed my check almost one week later and sent me a letter in the mail saying I can't renew my car registration because my registration is still suspended. The lady at the dmv told me that they are sorry for the mistake that they made and I wouldn't have to pay a fee and they would resolve the problem. It has yet to be resolved. I spent hours trying to fix a mistake the dmv made. read more

As always expect a long wait unless u have an appt. Or waiting in line at 7 in the morning. Customer service is ok but they are obvioisly just trying to get through the lines of people. Would def. Suggest having an appt. Or a some good music and earphones. read more

The worst damn day I waited there for 4 hours to get my motorcycle renewed due to issues with no notice being sent and the fact I have ADD the non appointment line was unmanned for 30 minuets and when I finally got called the lady at the desk was the most unpleasant person who was completely disrespectful and dismissive of the issue and my mental condition I will never show up at this place again they made me feel ashamed of my condition 1 Star only because I can't give a lower negative score government offices shouldn't make you feel like this read more

I'd give it no stars if I could. My boyfriend went there right after school (around 12:00) to register his car and had to wait in line to get his ticket. Alright, he gets his ticket and sits down, then he had to wait for about 4 hours. After 4 hours something felt not right because that's quite a wait time, then he goes to the table to see what's going on and they said that his number was SKIPPED?! What in the world? What kind of torture is it to sit there for a while 4 hours waiting for your number and then find out that it was skipped?! Not only that... when he finally got to a window he didn't even get what he was coming for. The car he was registering got sent to CHP! No help at all! A day wasted. The efficiency here is horrible. Go to another one dmv if you can. read more

After reading the prior reviews, I was really not looking forward to visiting Carmichael DMV earlier this week. I had an appt, and arrived on time. I had to wait in a short "appointment only" line, but for less than 5 min. The line for non-appointments was out the door though, so I'd highly recommend making an appt. It did take several people to determine what form I needed to fill out, but everyone was fairly friendly and nice. I literally had one line of the form filled out before my # was called- I think I sat for about 15 seconds in the lobby! The woman at the counter was friendly and promptly took care of the 3 transactions I had. I would definitely go back to this location. read more

Needed an insurance form to get my license, etc. My Insurance company electronically transmitted it over a month ago. Called to verify it was on file. Wait time for each call was 1 to never returned my call. There is an option for a return call. Three times received a return call 30 minutes to over 1 hour wait. The last call back I am still waiting, it has been over 3 hours. Spoke to three people and they said it wasn't received but I could fax it. However they could not give me their fax number, but they could give it to my insurance company. My Insurance got it and faxed to the person I spoke to at DMV. Three times the form was faxed to this person. I went to DMV on Broadway. Guess what. They said they did not have it, and wouldn't even check on it further. Waited for over two hours. What a Joke. Now I am at this Office with the form in hand. Over three hours and have been helped but the clerk needs to contact another unit. What a Fxxxxxing Joke. This employee is courteous explained it was out of her hands. The other DMV person did not believe it was faxed to DMV and told me to come back when I had the form. NOW there is some issue with the ATM. As it may have charged the fees twice. Customer service is definitely lacking with the first person. read more

Dirtiest smelliest DMV ever! And the ghetto here is running rampant! There approximate wait times that you see online are not accurate at all! All I need is a DMV record printout but of course can't do that online need to come into this rat hole! I wish I would have drove the extra 20 min and drove to Roseville DMV where it is actually clean and seem to get things done fast! Here it looks like they have about 30 windows and maybe 5 people working! I know most of the people here don't have jobs but some people do and need to get this shit done! read more

I would say that out of all my DMV experiences, this was the worst. I brought my mom here to get her license because the DMV required some extra documentation. They have a room to fill out the information on computers in a testing room and she isn't very good with technology so I was helping her fill out her application. Some guy walks over and explains how since it's also a testing room that I am not allowed to be in there with her, let alone be helping her. Which no one ever explained before we both walked in there together? Why are the testing rooms and the application computers all in the same room?? And I was asked to leave. I just find that kind of bullshit. And, to add to that, the woman when you first walk in who directs where you go, super rude. We walk inside and she doesn't even say hello, just asks "what are you here for?" Super monotone, doesn't smile, looks super irritated. She had glasses, kind of taller woman, with plastered on eyebrows. If she hates her job so much maybe she should find a new one. read more

If I could this dmv 0 stars I would , not because of the inside staff but because of the behind the wheel driver instructor he was awfully RUDE and made me feel uncomfortable the WHOLE time. It all started because I didn't bring my glasses. I proceeded to tell him I don't need them I can see just find without them. He then argued with me and said you cannot take your test today and I replied well what if I go home and grab my glasses. He instantly got offended and said with a very angry tone "YOUR TEST IS RN and you can't leave and come back" instantly my heart dropped because I was so ready to get it over with. Until my brother said "is there a way she can go inside and take an eye exam to get the restriction off" he stated, "she can try" boom went in passed with flying colors but I couldn't help but recognize the staff inside asking me who told me and when I instantly described as a older Caucasian man with long white hair they said "it's because your black" instantly I was appalled seeming that I already face discrimination due to being a minority. As I exited back to the parking lot I just hoped and prayed I didn't get him but just my luck !!! I get him the whole time and I mean WHOLE time he was huffing and puffing. Then he was late or should say last minute telling me when to merge and when to turn. He then had me reverse for not even 2.5 secs when he said "okay I've had enough let's go" then at the end of my test he says "Well you passed , but you need to work on looking all the way over your shoulder when merging" in a very rude and angry tone.I'm not one to come on YELP and review but after today I feel very very very disturbed by the staff they have at this DMV office. I get it's there job to be stern but it's also their job to make the driver feel safe and comfortable. So PSA If you go to this DMV I hope and pray you don't not get this man he is extremely rude and arrogant. read more

Please increase your employees, half of 26 desks are not working today 02/08/2017 04:18 PM

Despite the wait times... The customer service was swift, their forgiveness capacity saved me ~$500, and they went above their norm to help me get things legal. read more

This DMV is horrible. They waste people time and works very slow. My sister and I went there twice and waited for long hours and yet get denied. We drove around back and forth and wasted our whole days because of these stupid workers. Badly trained and horrible at their job. I wish they would just quit and leave the DMV because it's that bad. I don't write reviews for any places unless they are good but today I'm doing it because this DMV needs big change. Don't go to this DMV unless you want to wait long hours and deal with these incompetent workers. read more

Had a 2:30pm appointment for a license renewal. Very short wait time, and the whole process only took 25 minutes. Staff were professional and efficient. read more

Had hands-down the worst experience here. My license was set to expire on my birthday. I did the right thing, made an appointment three weeks before, waited an hour in the appt line, filled out my paperwork, and got seen right away to show my docs, take my photo, send in my prints and get on my merry way. Two weeks pass, three weeks pass, I figure as my DL was expiring the next day I should call and check on It, after a half an hr wait on hold the rep is dumbfounded as there is NO record of me even applying, paying. I tell him I'm literally looking at the receipt "official DMV" which hey charged me for update, not for renewal, but either way there is NO license coming my way. He tells me to go back immediately, and check to see what happens. I swallowed my pride yesterday, tried to get to the front of the line and tell the check-in man what had happened. He rudely interrupted me and told me I didn't wait long enough, I had to explain to him that the customer service rep TOLD me there's nothing coming and that their office didn't go through with my transaction. He dismissed me to the end of the appt line (still completely unnecessary). When I got back to the front asked me what time my appointment was and then when I re-explained rudely asked me if I had my appointment TODAY. I once again claimed my case, filled out my paperwork and took my #. Thanks to the nice man I got at the window who actually listened to me, expressed his sincerest apologies, checked back with managers to see if there was any explanation and went through the process AGAIN with me. Let's hope I get my license this time. It's a shame DMV was able to take my money (and yes, It even cleared the bank), issue a receipt, take all my information and photo just to have It be LOST ENTIRELY. I've never loved the DMV but now I have a new level of lost hope with them. Special thank you to the man at #19 who understood my case and helped me through again. No thanks to the woman at #2 who helped me on 3/8 and gave me a false transaction, and zero thanks to the rude check in guy who assumed I was in the wrong! HIGHLY do not suggest going to this DMV and PLEASE double check all info when going through them. read more

Just wonderful service. I'm handicapped and every person I encountered, including the guard was helpful, kind and efficient. My license renewal went smoothly and quick. Shout-outs to everyone at the North Ave DMV. read more

I encourage that you don't take your driving test here. After I finished the lady was very unprofessional. She had a horrible attitude when telling me what I need to work on. Even though she passed me I will never go back to that DMV because of how I was treated by her. She also didn't really know what she was doing. She gave me bad advice and said it's a stop and go at a 4-Way stop sign which is incorrect. Don't take your test here. read more

Thank goodness for appointments! However you can not even see the Appointment line because the NON appointment line was so long. It may have looked like we were "cutting" in line because we got some interesting looks as we made our way through the huge crowd to get to the front of the Appointment line. The inside staff was surprisingly upbeat, polite and extremely efficient! They were amazing considering how busy they were and knowing that the line trailing outside to the parking lot was continuously growing. Kudos to the inside staff! Unfortunately, the man who gave my child the driver's test looked ticked off at the world. Not a even a friendly greeting no smile nothing - his tone was annoyed from the start. Bad attitude and rude. Poor kid was so nervous to begin with, this guy freaked out the already stressful situation to no end. Seriously. Why do that? Maybe this guy needs a different career? I must mention the bathrooms.....Yikes! Best not to hydrate before your visit. The restrooms were like a stuffy overused tomb.... 2 dirty stalls for hundreds of people to use. read more

This is the WORST. I had a 10am appointment and the appointment line was 12 people deep and I was 15 minutes early. A gentleman came out asked each of us what we needed and proceeded to direct us to the appropriate spot. Did that, came back to check in and told her I had an appt and she proceeded to be rude and ask why I'm here. I told her the gentleman asked me to fill out an app in the testing room and she said that is wrong but gave me the paper with a code. Lady this is your Rodeo not mine so figure it out! I sit for an hour and go ask her (no one else to ask) I had an appointment and I am still waiting what is going on. She gave me an excuse that it is the order they receive and put numbers in the system and I would be called soon. Okay, so another hour and she leaves for lunch finally at 12:30pm and I go ask the person who is sitting in her place what is going on??? She was upset because after 3 hours the original girl didn't give me the correct information. She went to the manager and came back. I apparently wasn't the only one she did this to. I told her replacement that I told the girl twice I had an appointment and steam was coming out of my ears at this point. She ignored me. Finally, I get to a person to help me. This is all for a license repl (real Lic) because of theft. She helped me half way and then took off to help another person because she was bilingual but didn't say a word to me and just got up and walked away. So I stood there another 20 minutes. The girl who checked me in never even once verified any person who claimed they had an appointment so why even bother making an appointment? Plus, I watched how she was rude to women customers but flirty and nice to the men. Classy lady! No name tags either on these employees. Four hours of vacation time wasted and hours of my life I cannot get back. This is one of the most money sucking broken systems in California!! Another reason to escape this state ASAP! read more