The filipino guy is the worst. Don't let him test you for your driving test. He made me get an anxiety attack while driving for my test and was so rude for no reason while I was so nice knowing he had a stressful day. Asked me to push my "parking break" I usually know it as a emergency break. Have never heard it as parking break and told him nicely that I didn't and this dude rolled his eyes and said "sure the emergency break" he was so sarcastic and rude that I was left shaking from severe anxiety. I passed my test but he made me feel like I didn't deserve to. I was trying to not cry or shake as much when we were done and he just left and said "you're welcome" he also said "congratulations" SO RUDELY. So if you're reading this guy who tested me, I hope your attitude comes back to you. read more

Had a ton of problems originally when the dmv couldn't find my title that was mailed to them and i had to go back and forth several times but A gentleman named Jake helped me every time i went in and he seemed like he genuinely cared about what was going on. Finally today i went back and Jake had a lady named Jordana assist me and she was able to locate my title and not only did she resolve the situation but she made me leave smiling. Smiling is something you dont usually do at the dmv but she made me leave happy. Thank you so much Jordana and Jake. You 2 are the best and your hard work and positivity don't go unnoticed. If you 2 are reading this then i hope this makes your day as much as you guys made mine. Thanks again! read more

I went to Arleta DMV to pay car registration. After 1 and half hour waiting outside, called me to windows 19. Nobody there. Someone said you have to go to Window 21. I gave my papers, information to black lady, she said go ahead and wait until I call you. After another hour waiting, I asked, if she forgot about me, taking more then 20 customers after me. She shouted on me very rude: GO BACK AND SIT DOWN. Then I asked security who is the manager here? The security replied: You can't see manager, go sit down (another rude black guy). I said I want to see manager raising my voce. The third rude person, tall black guy, with a suite, from the counter side stud up and started shouting on me: Either sit down and wait or get the f*** out here . I asked his name. He was keep repeating: Shut up and sit down, or get the F***k out here. I keep asking his name, then he said: Markiz (Marquis) and continue, shut the f*** up and sit down. I felt I am not in the DMV Government building, but their private building. This is the worst experience I had at the Arleta DMV. I will never ever go there anymore. Discriminations... 10 Customer service... Zero. read more

The worst . Idiotic rude keeping me waiting and can't even answer the phone. Ridiculous I've been on the line for over 20 minutes+ and no one can come to the phone very unprofessional I would give this zero starts if I could read more

GO TO THIS DMV TO TAKE YOUR DRIVING TEST. Everyone was super nice and wanted me to pass. I felt super comfortable with the person administering the test and the actual test went super quickly. read more

I got to the line everything was going perfectly and then my driving test person comes with all of the attitude in the world, he told me to start my car but not start the engine which drains the battery and I told him that my battery was low but he straight up just ignored me. Then it was time to take the test he tells me to start the car and wouldn't you know it the car didn't start he grabs all of his belongings and just leaves doesn't say a word to me, then I asked him if I get this car started could I retake the test and he said sure. So I run around looking for a jumper cable finally get one not even five minutes pass and I finally find him to take my test and he just says NO with zero care in the world. After that I came up to my car and I see him taking pictures of the inside of my car like wtffff!??!?! read more

Amazing. I had an appointment, and was in and out in 15 minutes. Very efficient. Went on a Wednesday.

There is no one to blame but myself. I should have made an appointment. On the bright side, I was able to pay my bills, book doctor appointments for my kids and catch up on some reading, while I waited inline. By the time I got to the woman whose life energy has been sucked dry, I was exhausted and ready go to home. Luckily she was helpful and I was in and out in 3hrs. Wwwuuuhhh!!!! ***Pros: You have plenty of time to reflect on life and why you NEED a car. ***Cons: After hrs of waiting, you might decide to drive without renewing your license or registration. ***Advice: Make an appointment. read more

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT PEOPLE! Make the damn appt., bring all the paperwork you need and just be prepared. You make work difficult when you walk in not knowing what to do or what to ask. If you need to renew your registration, the letter in the mail tells you in 2 languages what to do and there's even a machine there that way you dont' have to speak to someone directly. No DMV is perfect. I made my appt, brought all the things I needed and within 5 min after checking in, my number was called and was out in less than 15 min. Very surprising for a DMV that people complain about. read more

So last week on my BDay, i was at work, but decided to buy an app on my phone, when i noticed that my License expired that day. SUCKS...!!! I went to AAA in Glendale but they said that they only do Registration, and that the Glendale DMV was permanently closed. So off to Arleta....!!! I got here, the line was long (just to get a number), and i had a few hours to kill before my number would come up. But on a great note, theres this cool ass Filipino Security Guard that kicked it with me until it was my turn. Biggups to people who love their jobs. read more

Staff is very nice here. If you make an appointment the wait isn't too terrible. Parking was pretty packed though so plan to arrive in advance and wait for the spot. DMV is never a fun experience but it was bearable here in Arleta :) read more

This DMV branch is golden! I was in and out in less than 10 minutes. Went to three separate windows in 8 minutes flat. Impressive! My appointment was at 9:10 - I showed up at 9:05 and was out by 9:13. Make sure to make an appointment and make sure to give yourself about 10 minutes to find a spot in their super busy parking lot. The employees are super nice - I'll be making the drive to Arleta next time I need to head to the DMV! read more

I started my Dmv journey a vibrant young 27 year old woman who just got married and needed to renew her license and update her name. After numerous attempts to make an appointment at any dmv location within a 50 mile radius of my residence and all the locations not having anything available until after my license expired I decided I would tough it out and just spend the 2-3 hours it would take to get it done because well it has to be done. Now keep in mind I expected to wait 2-3 hours. Well I'm just here to say that while I waited at this dmv a whole lifetime passed me by. I got grandkids now and I'm too feeble to even walk up the the counter if they ever call my number. If you want to live your life and not watch it pass you by waiting at the dmv don't come here. Below is a picture of me now, still in the line waiting to hear my number. read more

I had such a pleasant experience at this DMV. After going through such a hard time with the Hollywood DMV I wasn't expecting this one to be any different, but I was so wrong. I had an appointment for a behind the wheel driving test on a Saturday, so luckily since they're only open for appointments on that day it wasn't too busy. Everyone was very nice, and also patient which I feel like can be hard to find at dmv's. As I was pulling up to get the car checked one of the security guards by the door noticed I was getting nervous and said that it's super easy and I shouldn't be worried. My driving instructor was also nice, and also funny which helped at the end of my test to ease me nerves a little. Overall, everyone had a positive attitude and if I would ever need to go back to a DMV it would definitely be this location. read more

I took my drivers test at this dmv in arleta. I came on time and checked in 20 mins before my appointment. Once I checked in they told me to sit and wait for my name to be called . After 30 mins my name was called and I proceeded on to taking my drivers test . All was well , I passed , but the driver instructor opened my door and hit my car door on another car ! This was a very awkward situation . read more

Took my drivers test TWICE HERE. The first time I automatically failed because I made one critical error. So I hated the lady lol I was hoping I didn't get her again, (which I didn't THANK GOD) I went back today to take it for the second time, I got the dark skin lady. She was so sweet & really easy going! & passed me with only 2 mistakes! You'll pass if your a cautious driver! & know your signals etc . I admit I felt much more prepared this time. PRACTICE PRACTICE read more

I love this DMV !!! Went to take my behind the wheel and had to wait like 10 min max. In line. The staff were nice & helpful. Passed my test! And my instructor was so helpful as well with his tips! (Can't remember name but he was an older Armenian man) However taking one star off because their system was down and I couldn't get my License right away :( read more

This place is horrible. I have an appointment & they won't call my number. AP53- to AO54 Valencia is whey better. DO NOT COME here..... read more

Shout out to the A$$hole who answered with a big attitude someone must have not gotten enough sleep but geez bro at least have some manners. You're mad being back at work? Okay that sounds like a you problem don't take that on people. Don't like working there? Okay quit find a job where you won't be able to talk to people because obviously you working there shows what type of person you are. read more

The DMV specializes in Torture. They have implemented a new system where in addition to the time waiting, you now can't estimate when your turn is more or less anymore. The numbers are not sequential anymore, where you could estimate your turn and go outside, eat, etc. Not possible anymore. Now you are glued to the screen and hyper attentive for your unique number to show, which is your initials and last 4 digits of your phone number. If you blink, there, you just lost your turn, lost another half day of your life. I am so sorry for those with as medical condition, those with attention deficit. Their slow worker recruitment is a part of their tactics. This department should be part of the CIA's torture and interrogation unit, they'll do great. read more

Went to register my car. You can pay via a machine with a credit card or debit or cash. Got there at 4:15pm as there was 12 people ahead of me.. fast and easy. Only took 45 min. Did not like paying $657, yet oh well that's life in California. Got to pay to play. read more

This is the longest I've ever waited at the DMV. I've been here for well over 2 hours and have not even gotten a number ticket to be seen. I'm still here in line waiting as we speak. Avoid this place like the plague if you're trying to do a non-appointment. There's literally 2 people here working on the registration desk, and even though the line is split for appointments and non appointments, they have been only calling appointments to both desks for the last 60+ minutes. Who does that ? I used to go to the Lincoln heights DMV and I would be in and out within 2 hours despite the lines trailing around the entire building. Before somebody tells me I should have been "prepared" to get an appointment, I'm not even going to go into the reasons for why I ended up with having to do a non-appointment. Its 3:45 pm and they are still serving people for a 3:00 pm appointment. How inefficient is this ? read more

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT IF YOU VALUE YOUR TIME YOU WON'T REGRET IT;) First time at this location to renew my license, be warned no parking available at DMV parking lot therefore park on side streets and save time. The whole process took me 1 hour not bad with appointment:) I would have given 5 stars if wait to have picture taken wasn't over 15 minutes but overall employees were pleasant and professional P.S. My # got called within 10 minutes of checking in I received my renewal license in the mail in a week:) read more

I had to get my Real ID for the first time so I uploaded my documents online and went in person at 7:45AM. There was already a long-ish line but it only looks long because people are spaced out 6 feet apart. Everyone who I interacted with was nice, from the person taking my temperature to the lady who checked to make sure I had all my documents with me to the lady at the window (I think her name was Pamela. She was super nice and kept calling me "hon" lol) and even the one who took my photo in the end. Overall, I waited about an hour in the line and then got called to go in right away once I checked in. Definitely try to do as much as you can online so that if you have to show up in person, it will be quick and painless. Everyone is wearing a mask (or even two) and customers are properly spaced apart so I felt safe. read more

Went here earlier this week to take my road test. Having made an appointment online, I wasn't impressed by how long the line was for all the people who had to take their road tests. I figure if you make an appointment online, there should be a separate window for those who made their online appointments, just like the DMV near my house. I am sorry, but no one should to wait in such an atrociously long line if they made an appointment ahead of time. I know this DMV is usually crazy busy, but still. There was only one window open at the counter, but the lady behind the counter who was helping everyone was in a pretty good mood. That was nice to see. (By the way - I got in line a few minutes before 2pm and didn't get to the counter until 3:30) - there were a fair amount of people in line in front of me - many of whom had also made appointments. Completely ridiculous. I go to take my road test, and the examiner (a former instructor - who apparently kept priding himself on how great of an instructor he used to be) - was actually instructing me during the test, which they're not supposed to do. He had a jovial attitude, but was a bit full of himself. On the plus side, the parking lot is nice and huge, although the day I was there, there was NO parking. I had to go park a block a way before going and standing in the line that was 20 miles long. To give you a better idea on the time of day - I was there at 3 in the afternoon - but I hear this DMV is busy ALL the time. Which is funny because I hear there are 3 others in the vicinity. Yeah I dunno - I am torn on this one. No DMV is going to be a pleasant place to visit, but the people here are nice. This location is also bigger (both inside and out) - but the lines are just hideous. I'd hate to see how long I'd have to wait if I DIDN'T make an appointment. Jeez. Only come here I guess if you need to take a road test and it's one of the earlier times available (which is why I went here). read more

THIS DMV NEEDS NEW EMPLOYEES! Every single one that I have encounter were very rude! Is it really necessary to have ugly face expressions when someone asking a question! I came in for a license renewal & needed proof of documents which I didn't understand why. The front desk gave me a ticket to come back the next day with proof. Following did I showed up & showed them my ticket that I DID NOT need to wait in line had a signature & one of the employee said "nope nope nope make the line" I repeatedly told her I did not have to since the employee signed the ticket & inform me that I didn't need to make a line so basically I couldn't walk in! This is when I decided to leave & went to another dmv was so fast & easy & didn't need ANY DOCUMENTS. They need to fire every single employee in the arleta dmv hire people who answer politely instead of giving you attitude or being very rude read more

Cant complain....I had an appt though...DON'T GO WITHOUT ONE...THIS PLACE IS CROWDED! I had to renew my license and registration. So, with doing more than one transaction and having to take a new pic, I was in and out in an hour, not bad for going to 3 different windows. I was expecting worse. read more

LICENSE RENEWAL: Made my appointment online- You can check current wait time on the dmv site...(appointment vs. nonappointment is always amusing). The closest available date was a week and a half from when I scheduled it so plan ahead. I was called 3 days prior to my appointment date for confirmation. It's an automated message, so no worries, you won't have to ask them about the weather before saying yes. The front desk person looked like she could use a compliment, but apparently not. She shrugged it off. Maybe next time I'll try magic tricks or candy. KATHY WINDOW 1: Stellar customer service! She was very professional and super personable. I hope I get her next time. (: read more

If you're taking your drivers test DONT COME HERE !! My appointment was at 10:40am and i didn't start the drivers test until 12:24pm ! If you come here and your instructor is PATRICIA, IMMEDIATELY request somebody else. She was so rude to me. As I'm driving the first thing she tells me to do was to park by a tree trunk, I didn't see the tree trunk so I parked by a tree. She YELLS at me saying "i said tree trunk is this a tree trunk?" After that i was done. I went to report her for screaming at me and the lady at the desk was asking me for her name then another lady from the desk next to her buts in and says "are you sure she wasn't being assertive?" I said no ! She RUDELY SCREAMED at me. They said something in between themselves and I just realized they were not going to do anything about it. So I hope this review gets something done. At least hire someone with better people skills. read more

Arrived at 750am on a Tuesday and waited in the non appointment line for about 20m for a drivers license replacement Waited another 20min to get my number called and then they tell me the system is down and they can't process my application and said it might come back at 1pm. WTF. They offered me another appointment for the following week but declined or come back at 1pm. I said I would try and go back the next day since I needed to get this done asap Came back at 750am the next day on a Wednesday and they open at 9am on Wednesday. WTF. Now you tell me. Waited in a line for over an hour. As soon as they opened at 9am, my number was called and was out in less than 30min. Hate the DMV. read more

Wow this place is SOOO much better then the one in Glendale!! The lady the helped us out in window 26 or 27 was super nice! I went for my sons written licenses permit! This is where I'll be going for my new real ID! read more

Not sure of the haterade, but I made an appointment weeks ago, and I was in and out in less than 10 minutes. I spent more time looking for parking than physically being in the building. Had to get my License renewed, and I guess I was the only one who made an appointment. Make an appointment, and you'll be in an out in no time - unless you're a glutton for punishment. The clerks were nice and cordial. read more

No wonder they stereotype dmv associates so bad. TWO ladies managing the line and not one let us know they had cut it off to close. They let 20 people stay in line ONE HOUR to just tell us they were closed. And they call their supervisor Theresa to come out and think just because she can yell, she can speak over everyone. Blaming the governor for all this. Pathetic service no hope for these people read more

This is one step up from the Van Nuys office. Make an appt if possible. Sometimes the earliest available appt is not for 5 days and you need to get your business done immediately. Note: the waittime shown on the handy DMV site DOESN'T include the time between standing in the 30-40 person lone snaking out the door in the hot CA sun next to some stanky large man two people behind you who keeps creeping up right behind you. Hot sidewalk, smelly pee... It would almost be NYC if there were 2.5 ppl per square foot rushing past each other. Even ppl w/appts have to stand in the long line. Try to bring yr own snacks or buy some refreshments from the snack cart ladies by the Canterbury entrance. The parking lot was so full I had to park a block away. Let's see- I've been here an hour now between waiting in line outside and snagging a seat inside. There are people sitting on the floors because there aren't enough seat. 2 hrs later-I Am Hating This Place. Their computers went down. I have G270 and they stopped calling all G numbers. They stopped at about G256, dammit. Van Nuys might have been faster. If I went batshtnuts, I'd lose my place in line. **DO YOU KNOW WHY THIS OFFICE IS TERRIBLE? After spending almost 3 hrs here yesterday while their Sacramento/Drivers License computer link failed, I came at 7:20am to get a spot in line before it opened at 8am. About 30 people were ahead of me. If you have a drivers' license related transaction, you get a number beginning with G. I got G004. Before going to sit down with my 1 year old, I saw only B numbers were being called. I went back and asked the info people if the Drivers License computers were up. I was told No. **SO YOU DIDN'T BOTHER TO TELL ME OR THE OTHER 3 SUCKERS WITH A G NUMBER THAT THE COMPUTERS WERE DOWN AND YOU HAD NO IDEA WHEN THEY'D BE UP? THANKS! I spent about 40 minutes on hold with the DMV in Sacramento, who confirmed that the Arleta Sacramento database link was having problems, but that Van Nuys was fine. read more

Terrible service! I had an appointment in the afternoon on 6/30/20. Most of the people working there were awful. The woman at window #23 was awesome but the rest had terrible attitudes and no common sense. The guy at window #31, LUIS, was extremely rude and not very sensible. He acts like customers walk in there reading his mind and gives an attitude if you ask a question. He was yelling at people asking for basic information. If he is sick and tired of answering questions while working at a government agency, he should ask for a transfer away from the front desk. This guy had no self awareness. It was shameful. Management should address his poor performance as well as the young woman screening people outside. Both need some customer service training. I am a CA State employee. This level of service would not be tolerated at my agency. read more

It is so frustrating been waiting for 3 hours and no body can help me, I just want to change my address and when I asked why they are taking to long the DMV workers were so rude and gave attitude. Why these people don't appreciate our time. This is not right at all read more

DMV - Arleta - Departments of Motor Vehicles Near Me - Pacoima, California

This review is for the gentleman that we dealt with today while renewing our registrations. He was clearly new as he kept needing the managers assistance. He wore a diamond earring and a tan shirt today. Worked window 20. He was the snarkiest, rudest DMV teller I've dealt with. Immediately acted pretentious as if we were intruding on his day. Now keep in mind, we're on the tail end of a pandemic where both my husband and I were unemployed making the minimum on unemployment. We fell behind in bills and rent so, needless to say, a roof over our head and food on the table took priority over vehicle registration. With the knowledge that CA has been lenient with its residents in understanding this difficult time, I asked this guy if there were programs or any grace for late penalties. Immediately in the most condescending tone informed us "but we were open. You could have registered." We told him we have been out of work since March of 2020 and that we couldn't afford it. His judgmental and disgusting response was, "well, you were on unemployment right? So you had money." My husband nearly went through the window. This kid has ZERO place in a customer service job. He needs to understand that people were losing homes, unable to feed their families and that DMV fines were settling at the back of the priority list - and tack that on top of the almost 2 hour wait in line in the sun to get inside along with the dread of spending what pennies we do have to get our cars up to date. The ONLY saving grace was the Manager at this location. Thankfully this kid needed help so the manager came over. A gentleman that wore an Army lanyard around his neck. He was a dentist in the army (small talk chat in line.) He was kind and did what he could to help us. He is the only reason this place gets 2 stars. read more

By far my best experience with DMV offices in entire Los Angeles. Line was shirt, moved quickly. I was taken care of within minutes. The lost star is for security guards with hyperinflation sense of duty. read more

DMV - Arleta - Empty DMV. Tssst - Departments of Motor Vehicles Near Me - Pacoima, California

Worst DMV customer service, a really big location, lots of employees but helpless take for ever to get help. No automated renewal registration machine. read more

Three stars might seem extravagant for a DMV but having dealt with the Pasadena office this one seemed pretty good, believe it or not. I came here for my daughter's driving test, and in comparison to Pasadena the parking lot is large, there are actual windows and natural lighting in the building, and the lack of ceiling-to-counter bulletproof glass is nice (see what I'm coming from here?) We made an appointment but still had to wait nervously in line with a bunch of other teenagers, but no real surprise there. The examiner was a little old lady with a pleasant attitude who didn't pull any weird tricks, and provided some useful feedback once my daughter had finished (and passed) the test. So the DMV isn't ever going to be fun but this place showed us that it doesn't have to be Hell either. read more