It's 8am on a Friday. It's freezing COLD (for once tho I can't complain). But it's WINDY like a gust is about to legit blow me over and I'm angry. I've been waiting in line for two hours and I can't even feel my fingers from typing this because it's so windy and cold.
I know what you're thinking "Lesson learned. Make an appointment." Oh no my dear. I did try to book one on their website. But every day, even a week in advance, is "no available appointment". I can use their crappy phone automatic voice. But they didn't have any available until a month (4weeks from now) and only ONE DAY ONE TIME available. Wow. Just wow.
Bring EVERY DANG DOCUMENT you can think of. Heck, bring your pee sample too so they can do a DNA test to confirm it's really you. Because I guarantee there's always something they need just for the simplest of things such as I want to change address, name, picture etc on the license.
Speaking of which, I did my best to look nice for the dmv photo and of course standing in the Alaskan winds messed it all up and I'm already aggravated with a runny nose. I hate this place. I hate the dmv.
Also, make sure you have ATLEAST 5 other limbs to hold your stuff (such as the form, driver id, bill stubs, passport birth certification to whatever else you need). Why? Because Miss -redacted- face will get her panties in a twist if you don't have everything ready NOW. The moment you step in line, she wants your documents ALL NOW or else to step aside and stop wasting her time. God forbid you have everything in a folder or a purse. You waste her precious time. It's much more efficient to carry everything and risk dropping it on the floor you know? DMV logic.
Taking another step back, long ago when I went to take my drivers license exam, it is so stupid. I'm glad I went to the Pasadena place because they still did the pen and paper exams with ACTUAL questions related to driving on the road. This P.O.S. Dmv had the computers with random questions. Why the heck do I need to know statistical information to drive??? Why? I don't know how many drunkards crashed a car in 2015, I didn't find that information as important to study. So of course I failed. And passed flawlessly at the Pasadena dmv because those questions are actually useful information to learn when driving.
And to make matters more infuriating, I can't bring any drink in. Rude staff told me. I had a Starbucks to keep me SANE and it was a waste of $4 down the trash. I just started drinking it too JUST PLEASE ERADICATE THIS DMV OFF THIS EARTH. If there was a sign that said such, I'd not have asked for a Starbucks. But no. There's NO SIGN.
When it came time to take the wheel driving test (years ago, not my recent visit) here, I passed. But the lady was SO mean and intimidating.
The staff here in general is a nightmare. I asked out of curiosity where the line for pictures is and he directs to me to line I'm already in. Like I know that I go here first before I take my picture else where, but I just want confirmation So i know what the other side of the room is hoLY CrAPPP. I give up asking for help. What's the point?
Don't really expect friendly smiles and please and Thank yous. They're generally pretty meh, which is rude in my opinion but that's just because I've been miserable since I've stepped foot here. It doesn't help.
I made a mistake on the form that I wrote my height on the weight section by accident. So I scribbled it out and the lady tells me to redo the entire application LOOOOL. I've had it at this point. I leave early and I'll come another day to experience hell all over again when I don't have other obligations.
I loathe how I cannot see my photo after being taken. They won't let you see it like other Dmv I've been to out of state. Sometimes if you ask they might.
Also why does every photo I take here turn out FUGLY AS HECK?? I noticed they ZOOM all the way in your face. Leaving very little background or body shoulder in the license photo. I envy those of you who went to a different dmv where they take the photos from the shoulder and leave a little background above your head. You don't look blown up in the photo and it looks proportional. I HATE YOU EL MONTE DMV. ALSO they forced me to update my license pic when I had no need to. I came to update my address only. I recently renewed my license photo only two months ago. So it's very recent. NOPE GO DO IT EVEN THO U LOOK LIKE GARBAGE AND ARENT PREPARED. But what really FUMED my god dam anger is that when I asked another staff member about this (after retaking my photo) , they said I don't have to for simply changing my address. God I am so annoyed. I hate all of uuuuuuuuu.
If you made it this far at the end of the review, thanks for coming along my journey. I never want to go back here again or dig me my grave.
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