My drivers license is expiring in December and I wanted to get a REAL ID, so I need to go to a DMV office. I tried to get an appointment at Glendale, the closest DMV office, but all available appointments were filled. A friend told me about Arleta DMV, it's a short drive off the 5 Fwy. On Wednesday morning, I was able to get an appointment within 2 days for Friday! I don't know how I was so lucky to get the appointment; maybe someone recently cancelled. I read all of the reviews about Arleta DMV. All I can say is that with an appointment and completing the electronic application online at home prior to arriving, my experience was positive. I arrived 45 minutes early for a 10:15 AM appointment (it didn't take as long as I thought to drive there and find a parking space). It took about 70 minutes from the time I walked into the office and walked out. I spent 15 minutes in the "appointments" check-in line, about 3 minutes in the waiting area before my number was called (I couldn't believe how fast that was), and the rest of the time at the clerk's window and at the photo line. Everyone was polite, beginning with the guard at the entrance who tells you which line you need to stand at, the clerk at the check-in desk, the clerk who handles the application, and the clerk at the photo window. read more

DMV - Arleta - Beautiful flowering trees in the parking lot. - Departments of Motor Vehicles Near Me - Pacoima, California

Much better then Winnetka DMV. People are decent, everything is organized, clean and without difficulties. Don't go to Winnetka DMV. That DMV need serious investigation. read more

Recommend taking your driving test at this location, if you get Angie your in good hands . Very nice and ease . I passed my driving test . Do your self a favor and book your driving appointment here. You won't regret. read more

This place is still trash. Went in for a no appointment and they gave me a number to wait on and asked for my phone number to message. Since it was hot I waited in my car and checked back in to see that they past my number. No message received and they gave me attitude for that? The process inside was quick it's just more waiting to get in that took a while. Staff is mostly rude but you get some nice people once you show they that you aren't there to give them attitude and only want to get in and out. read more

Probably the worst DMV in California. I went in to take my written test with an appointment. Once I checked in the lady up front told me to sit and wait for my number. I guess they text you one to your cellphone. It was super busy so I expected to wait a while. A whole hour passed and I never received my number. I got up to ask one of the workers at the window, as I was explaining myself. She looked at me like I was stupid, laughed and told me to go ask in the front. When I got to the front, the security guard didn't let me talk to the lady I previously checked in with. The guard said that the system went down earlier that day so it didn't matter and to get in the non appointment line! I came fully prepared with my appointment and everything. Most of the workers there are very rude, condescending, and unhelpful. I wouldn't go back to this DMV even if it was the last one on earth! Every time I visit this location it's nothing but problems read more

If you love to wait at hours even though you have an appointment then this is the place for you I was trying to get my drivers license and let you me you that from the very start these employees are UNFRIENDLY. You work in customer service at least have a decent attitude!!! EVERYONE AT THE DMV IS ALREADY ANNOYED THEY HAVE TO BE THERE DONT MAKE IT WORSE. On top of the employees being rude the driver instructor failed because when I changed lanes apparently he wants me too look at each mirror for half an hour before I can make the change and when I did he stopped the test . I only had ONE ERROR and he said he failed me because I "only looked at the right and left mirror and not the rear" and he marked it as "DANGEROUS MANEUVER " A MIRROR A DANGEROUS MANEUVER FOR A MIRROR ?!!! read more

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

Yikes!! I was excited about being able to check wait times on the website... but they were totally under the actual time it took. My biggest issue was they stop giving the permit test at 4:30- but they don't tell the line that?? Have some signs or make an announcement! Two and a half hours of waiting later I was told they were not administering tests anymore. After a gnarly line in the hot sun I walked away super frustrated and disappointed If the times are even remotely similar- go to Grenada hills DMV so you can stand in air conditioning not outside with no shade read more

I got my drivers license today!! I was so nervous and scared that I wasn't going to pass thankfully I passed I had such a very nice and cool instructor her name was Angie. She wasn't rude or anything very mellow young lady explained to me how things were going to go. Thank you so much Angie your the best! read more

They turned off their phones an hour and a half before closing. That's crazy seeing how it's a government building, they don't get to turn off the phone early especially when they are paid with our money..... not okay read more

I got to the Arleta DMV by 7:45am and there was already a line with about 100 people waiting in line to get in. They opened at exactly 8am. I swear I had the worse luck in line with the 2 chattiest woman behind me the entire time. The entire process took about 1 hour and 30 minutes for no appointment. The biggest shock was that I think I saw my 1st childhood crush at the front desk or she looked exactly like her, but Sylvia R. I was like, "Whoa. She still gorgeous. Man. As if she never aged." read more

I've never seen such kind, pleasant DMV employees before. The first time I went in, I had no appointment for a Real ID/Out-of-state ID change and showed up at 2:20pm on a Thursday. No line and inside it was fairly busy. I waited maybe 3 minutes to see someone at a window. She was kind, personable, and quick. The longest I waited was to get my photo done and that was about a 7 minute wait. Every employee I worked with was very nice! I was in an out in 40min. I came in again to get my car registered -- again no appointment because you can't make one with this transaction. I was nervous since there is a ton of paperwork you need for this including an inspection. The inspection is a drive-thru set up on the side of the building. I waited here probably 30min. The employee who inspected my car was...intimidating and seemed annoyed. She didn't tell me to not sign part of the paper and I did (because you literally sign everything else) -- when I went inside to finish the appointment that's when we learned I messed up and shouldn't have signed the inspection paper. I had to go back and get inspected again. Another 15min wait. I got a different employee and he was FANTASTIC! Soooo kind! He saw I signed the paper and apologized to me that no one told me to not sign it. Too kind especially since it was MY fault for doing so. Everything from there was seamless. The employee at the window who did everything else was very polite, not demeaning when I messed up, and very personable. There was no lines for no-appointments and I waited maybe 7min until I was called to a window. Took me probably 1.5 hours total: Two inspections, window wait, all the paperwork at the window, and retrieving my plates in the parking lot. Probably would've taken only an hour if I did the inspection paper correctly. Triple check you have everything you need, do most things online if you can, make an appointment if you can too but if you can't, go around 1:30pm. Highly recommend this location. I interacted with probably 12 employees in total of my visits and only one person wasn't having a good time. Crazy to even see happy employees at a DMV! read more

Fastest time ever spent in a DMV. Waited like 10-15 mins to get in the door and maybe 3 mins in my chair for the window teller. I also made an appointment and showed up 15 mins early. So idk if that helped or my reasons for being there but yeah I'm happy it didn't take hours read more

That was awesome the examiner is kind, but he so very quiet. But still i got pass on the test thanks to arleta dmv

Having the long line and regulations is understandable considering the circumstances but what is unacceptable is the poor quality in customer service. There's a female employee (which I didn't get the name of but she is about 5"2, has blonde hair and walks around in heels and glasses like she owns the place) who was extremely rude to us when assisting us. Her tone of voice was very annoyed and when redirecting me to another line she yelled at me to get out of the line and go to the other one. I can understand that working in customer service can be frustrating at times (having worked in customer service before) but they way she spoke to me was very disrespectful. Therefore, whoever supervises the employees needs to check her ASAP. read more

Disclaimer before the review: I want to stress to anyone that has to renew their license, renew registration, name change, do your paperwork online beforehand! When you complete all the information needed online before you go in, it saves you time of having to complete it when you're at the DMV without an appointment. Anyone that doesn't speak English very well has a hard time on this. Note to yourself: never go on a Monday or Friday if you're going to do a walk in without an appointment. Always go on a Tues/Thursday and show up by 6:45/7am. No later than that or else you'll be standing on the street! If you're going to wait outside, bring a portable camp chair so you don't have to stand for over an hour. Have your confirmation page from your completed online registration and all necessary documents with you. Now once the office opens at 8am, the workers are standing outside with temp checks (Covid) and inquiries of what you need. Flow of the line is pretty organized, they will direct you where to go. Once you get inside, show them your confirmation page and let them know what you need. They give you another number that will be called and you'll be able to go in once it's your turn. I had to go for a name change, had all my paperwork and by the time I went in, waited for my number to be called and took care of what I needed, I was in and out in 45 minutes. I was done by 9am! Make your DMV experience as painless as possible, I can't stress that enough. Will be going back to Arleta in the future when I have everything put together! read more

If you're taking your behind the wheel drivers test and you get martha just reschedule right then and there. My brother in law was failed by her because she told him to turn and he didn't because it wasnt on green and it wasn't a safe turn, she started screaming at him to turn and yelling "IF I SAY GO YOU GO, NOW YOU AUTOMATICALLY FAIL". I repeat, it wasn't a safe turn and that is why he didnt make it, not only that but she spent the whole test screaming at him, no one should have to take a drivers test while having a passenger yell at you. DO NOT TEST WITH MARTHA read more

I feel like my review is going to be ignored just like the rest. I can't believe there are so many negative reviews on a certain person and yet that person is still working there, miserably, and causing so much emotional distress on students. My daughter had an appointment yesterday at 4pm. She checked in on time and waited for her turn. After waiting for an hour and a half, they come up to her to ask her to reschedule her appointment, since it had gotten too dark to drive and that they also had overbooked. We reschedule right away for next morning at 10:00 am. Next morning, we go back, check in and finally, our turn comes at 11:35! and guess who shows up! The monster everyone talks about!!!! this red haired lady with glasses!!!! No greeting, nothing! First thing comes out of her mouth is , if you pull down your mask and I see your nose sticking out while driving, It's an automatic fail! And makes my daughter roll down her window while driving. She sits in the car and starts talking to her teammates how she's overwhelmed and has to take in so many cars etc... basically, complaining and being rude and inconsiderate of the people around her. The minute she came to us the whole energy shifted! She had this heavy and mean energy about her. No patience, what so ever! Agitated and on a mission to fail students without even giving them the chance to drive. She pulls the students over at the first stop sign and asks them to reverse and fails them right away, and returns them back to the DMV. Same story with all student drivers! Not only she makes my daughter shut down by breathing so heavily next to her, she tells her to turn right or left with an attitude!!! shaking her head and slapping herself and commenting angrily such as, "what are you doing sweetie!!!!" "Use your common sense!!!" Well, at this point with that heavy energy and anger an expert driver will automatically shut down and lose confidence. This lady is miserable and needs to retire or find a job that suits her personality. But, instead she enjoys traumatizing and failing every student to avoid the 10 minute drive. Horrible experience! Horrible driving examiner. Avoid this place at all cost. My daughter who was confident about passing the exam, now thanks to this lady, she doesn't want to retake the exam anytime soon. It's completely understandable, if a student makes mistakes and fails, but, this lady doesn't even give the students the chance to drive! She's angry! Negative, sarcastic and rude. She didn't even have the audacity to explain to my daughter her mistakes. She opened the door yelled at her that she failed and got out. The notes that she had written were such lies and exact same things as my friends son and daughter. She marks everyone with critical mistakes just to be over with the test and return back to the DMV. read more

License renewal going smoothly until he says I have a U.S. passport and answered no being a U.S citizen. Told him I selected "decline to answer" instead of "no". That is one of the valid choices. But he changed my answer to yes anyway. What's the point of having that choice. Only non U.S. citizens can decline to answer? Just wanted to leave so I didn't argue... read more

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

Awful experience. My appointment was 2.20 pm, but they took me for a driving test at 4.15. All this time me and other 8 students drivers with cars was waiting in line for a test. I got super tired of sitting around. On test I crashed my car cuz instructor was screaming at me and I got super nervous. read more

DMV - Arleta - Line for a driving test, being waiting about 2 hours from time on appointment . - Departments of Motor Vehicles Near Me - Pacoima, California

I came to this DMV as a retest for my drivers license. I personally would recommend this location. The staff onsite were very friendly, efficient and made me feel like a human being. Everyone was friendly, personable and genuinely wanted to help me throughout the process. Going to the DMV isn't something I look forward to but at least this location makes the process worth your time. Thank you Martha, and Arleta DMV, you're greatly appreciated. read more

DMV - Arleta - Post-Test for Driver's License - Departments of Motor Vehicles Near Me - Pacoima, California

Honestly very disappointed with the experience I had today. The worker FRANK with the tech number 02 was very unprofessional and was not helpful OR professional at all. I understand working at the dmv is stressful but this man went really overboard and I got zero of my questions answered. One of them being how I can register my truck if my pink slip was one of the items taken in a robbery, his answer was go find the buyer again and get his info when I was sold this vehicle almost over a year ago. He was also trying to charge us $$$ and we simply wanted to know why and he continued to deny to say why which was so childish and unprofessional from his end. Very unhappy if u have another option for dmv please go elsewhere. Note: Most workers at this dmv are such great help and have a great attitude don't get me wrong but unfortunately this worker (FRANK) just made this dmv look very horrible. read more

The best DMV. Always helpful. Never long wait. Nice employees. Thank you I alway prefer this location

Was in and out with my registration in 45 minutes on a Friday afternoon. The woman who helped me when I think she was in window 19 was so nice and helpful. She gave me all the information I needed. read more

The female security was way better when It came to quick assistance in renewing registration renewals she would escort me to the front get my a number and no hassle this new security Carrillo I believe is his name is rude and told me to wait like others just for a simple 2 minute renewal bring back the other lady security she was better. read more

Back to DMV for my 80+ old mother to take her written test bc we ran out of time last week. Both experiences were amazing! All 4 people we dealt with at station 31 were amazing, including the one who just started 3 weeks ago! All we're extremely helpful and patient; people willing to assist clients as if they were going out of their way to help. I'm sure it's their job responsibility, but actually getting good service is hard in America. We also received great service from the agents who helped at the Renewal desks and the photo desk. As you enter, the security also will assist you and are nice as well. I would recommend this location, even as crowded as they are. read more

Staff here are the worst. Cannot do their jobs correctly. I had an appointment to take a drivers test, when going to schedule my appointment they gave me such a hard time. The guy helping me told me i had to be 17 1/2 when i was then went ahead and did that. today i had my appointment and they said i wasn't able to take it since i wasn't 17 1/2 my 18th birthday is next month in october. Not only are they no help but clearly idiots. I tried to explain to him that i was 17 1/2 when applying for my test that i had today and all he kept saying was the same. even though a couple months ago he was the same one who told me everything would be fine when i came in today. Now my permit expires tomorrow and i have to retake my written test, all because of an idiot employee who can't help someone (which is his job to do just that). Don't go here the worst place to come and do anything for a dmv. read more

Came here on a Thursday afternoon to update my driver's license to a Real ID. Had an appointment. Showed up early and was called to the check in window right away. Mind you the night before I searched high and low for my social security card which I couldn't find for the life of me. I decided to look online and search for other forms of ID. They say you can bring a pay stub, which I did. Then I'm told by the woman at the counter that it needs to have my full social security number. Seriously, who's pay stub has their full Social security number on it? So I get sent away and miss my appointment. I go to work and print out my w2 then come back to the DMV. Had to wait in the walk-in line. Was forced to re-do my online application for the Real ID which I already did at home. Then waited another 30 minutes to be called up to a window. I get a grouchy lady that had something to say about everyone else's customers instead of worrying about finishing up with me so I can go. The ENTIRE time she was huffing and puffing making it obvious to everyone around that she did not want to be there. So unprofessional. I get it. You work customer service and some days are harder than others. However, come on, you're blessed to be working in a government position with good benefits which is way better off than other people living out on the streets. People like this make coming to the DMV with or without an appointment an even more unpleasant experience. read more

The Arleta DMV customer service sucks. Morning customer service CINDY #30 Arleta CA is RUDE, UNPLEASANT and OVERLY ENTITLED. Clearly she doesn't know what a good customer is all about.. on my opinion she need to retire and throw the towel already so that a NEW helpful, cheery and good service staff can take over her. read more

DMV - Arleta - its 7am in the morning and its already 92degree...whew - Departments of Motor Vehicles Near Me - Pacoima, California

I had a great experience at the DMV Arleta today. I went to their office without an appointment to pay my car registration since I had time and live around the corner. I can say this particular DMV had changed a lot For the better. I was sitting down waiting for my number to be called and I witnessed one DMV employee named "IRMA" from window 10 come out of her cubicle and asked 3 random people to come to her window to help them. I was one of them. This was a first for me. I just want to thank the office for their great efforts to became better and help the public and I also want to Thank "Irma" from window 10 as well. Love when people go the extra mile to help other and specially at a public place. Thank you DMV Arleta and thank you Irma from window 10. read more

I never thought I would be giving the DMV a 5 stars but my experience was incredible. Jordana, and I hope I got her name correct, was so polite, and so helpful. Her energy alone made the experience amazing, but the organization of the whole department, and the fact that they open an hour earlier, making my wait time the shortest I have ever experienced. Thank you Jordana, and Arleta DMV for making a using dreaded experience so wonderful this time. I have to mention that the wait time was shorter because mostly because I came at 7:30am and I don't think people are quite aware they open at 7am yet as I was pleasantly surprised to find out when j arrived. Secrets out not, sorry, and you are welcome! read more

They dint know any low not the workers not the managers one if them is terry she has obviously 0 knowledge about her work and she is rude she thinks she is a vice president read more

Horrible Service the moment we walked in. We had an appointment they gave us a window #, the number was on the screen but was never called. No communication from anyone, everything was a hurry, the only nice person was female employee at window 31, very patient. read more

Went online and put myself on a same day wait list. No appointment. Went in to change my name on my driver's license. I was in and out I. 35 minutes!! Very nice staff. read more

If you want a bill of sale doc from Dmv which is on the desk all you have to do get it and get out They want you wait in the line and when you ask security girl who's lazy as hell she refused to go get it from the desk which is 7 feet away from the entrance. read more

No line happy people nice and calm no fuss! Waited 15 min!!!! Soooo happy! . . . . Great Day at DMV read more

No stars if you possible rude people at the front counter entrance and at some of the Windows. This place doesn't change over the years. One reason why ppl don't like to ask for help. Front counter lady gave us the slip of what letter/ and number to wait for and literally walked 5 steps away when I noticed there was no number went back to her and she told me to get back in line and wouldn't help till it was my turn. I told her I was literally talking with you 2 seconds ago you gave me this slip with no number! Ignored me and called the next person. This is a public service they signed up for it, if they don't like it find a different job! read more

To be able to renew my driver's license, DMV required me to come in the office for a vision test and new pic. Ever since the DMV system went down, I have been making multiple appointments in different locations. Before coming to any of the appointments, I check the DMV website first to see if the outage has been fixed. Based on their 11 am Thursday update, Arleta is back to business so I headed over there for my 11:45 am appointment. When I got there, an employee stopped me by the door and we had this conversation: Her: You can't come in because system is down. Me: I checked the website for an update before coming here and it says that system is up. Her: I don't know what the website says and I have nothing to do with that website. All I can tell you is that the system was down and it went down again. Me (hoping she will just let me pay the renewal fee as an exception due to outage): I have been to different locations trying to renew my license but still no luck due to the system being down, what are my options? Her (in condescending tone): Well, Simi Valley is still up so you can try going there but I'm not sure if it will still be up by the time you get there. I decided to go home and try again on my next appointment. When I got home, I called the DMV hotline still hoping that someone will let me just pay the fee. After an hour wait, I told her about the trouble I had been through. That I had been to Glendale and then Arleta but system was down. She told me Arleta was up since 10 am. I told her that I was in the office 11:30 and was told it's down. She insisted it was up. I hang up. I felt I won't ever win my case with DMV so good luck to me. read more

I go with all of my documents for my son's permit. The Spanish lady on the appointment side told me I needed proof of address with his passport and asked if I did my research???? She insisted my son needed proof of residency when he is a minor. Well in this list it did not list that. Please replace employees like this as I have wasted a day for her stupidity. read more

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

I love arleta dmv! They helped me pass my driving test and everyone there was so nice. I got a female examiner while glasses and curly blonde hair but I believe she was Hispanic, she was super sweet and calm. Never got to simi valley! The wait was a little long at arleta but I wasn't in a rush and I went at 9 am on a thursday :) read more

We are all going through this awful Pandemic- but there is no- NO excuse for the rude, unprofessional staff.. Jobs are so scarce now- if you people are so damn miserable.. leave, find yourself a job that has nothing to do with dealing with the public. We all have those days where you can't deal with difficult people- but what I observed was beyond disturbing. Applied for my sons first CA ID and the two people sitting behind the desk miserable and unprofessional refused to help me. It took a beautiful kind soul also who worked there to assist me.. she saw the mistreatment and walked over to me to help me out.. wish I knew her name- thank you young lady for your kindness and customer service. All the other ones need to find a different career path- so sad and pathetic. Avoid this DMV at all costs read more