This very morning, I decided to turn in (surrender in DMV terms) a license plate I had from an old car I sold back in 1997. Here's the story as I printed it out and attached it to the plate: I am surrendering this license plate. The vehicle associated with this plate was sold several decades ago. At the time of the sale, the dealer indicated that I would receive the other plate, but that never happened. As a result, I have retained this single plate ever since. I am surrendering it now so that it can be properly removed from my possession/record. I included my name and contact information. First, I learned that I can't just hand the plate with documentation to someone and be done with it. First a sympathetic security guard saw my cane and put me at the front of a line I didn't plan to be in to begin with (no good deed goes unpunished). I was called up almost immediately, where a thoroughly disinterested clerk listened to my story, glanced at my narrative, ripped it off, and tossed it in her trash can. She then curtly told me I had to fill out a form, pushed a clipboard with my plate and form along with a pen and a number, and went about her business. I looked around and saw the handicapped chairs and grabbed one and sat down for the wait (I do give the DMV props, as the numbers do move fast). After a few minutes, I was called and went to the window where another seemingly disinterested clerk asked me what I needed to do. So, I repeated the story that the other clerk had tossed in the trash. She looked at me as though I were speaking Chinese (I wasn't). She then asked me if the plate had been on another car (I began again and said it had been in a garage for decades). She went to have her supervisor explain what I was talking about--probably--and get the definition for "decades" so she could close my case. She returned and asked me to check the appropriate box on the form for type of plate. I explained again that I didn't see how any of the ones applied. She wouldn't give me a hint until I said, "I don't see well," at which point she highlighted the "environmental plate" box (who knew?). DMV speaks their own language, it seems. Apparently back in the last millennium, a personalized plate was called an "environmental" one. Hardly, as the vehicle I had it on smoked terribly. Finally, I was done. No good deed goes unpunished. I rated the experience a 3 out of 5, which is half a star higher than they had before this review. read more

DMV - A portion of the plate that took jumping through several hoops to get rid of. - Departments of Motor Vehicles Near Me - Modesto, California

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I'm turning 45 next week! With this special day coming up, I received such a beautiful letter from the DMV saying I needed to come in for an eye exam and a renewal of my drivers license. LOL and because I also procrastinated in getting my Real ID I had to bring all those documents in with me. I so dreaded this pending experience! Since I had to go into the branch, I also decide to get my teen an ID for easier travel via plane in the future. We waited outside for about 30 minutes before the office opened and once we entered we were welcomed and helped by the loveliest two DMV personnel on Earth! Thank you Heather and Kristy for helping my daughter and I. You two made our experience so pleasant and smooth! You truly made what we thought was going to be a dreadful time, a really fun time! Who knew?! California, give these ladies a raise! Many many thanks! read more

DMV - Modesto DMV - Departments of Motor Vehicles Near Me - Modesto, California

Honestly, I can't believe I'm writing a review for the DMV.... However, the experience I had was amazing. The two women that helped check me in for my appointment were so sweet! Then, I had the nicest lady helping me renew my cdl/real ID at window 11. I don't know her name but she had super cute nightmare before Christmas nails and was wearing a pink leopard print blouse and had greyish blonde hair. You are so polite, patient and kindhearted. Thank you for the work you do! Oftentimes, dmv employees are absolutely horrible to encounter, and you three woman made my day! read more

Derick with the red Hawaiian shirt was awesome! Not often you see people working with a huge smile on their face. He helped me with my registration and then I left with a smile too! Thanks derick I appreciate your good vibes read more

Commercial drivers should have priority over some kid getting a permit, truckers keep America moving after all. To make matters even worse, they no longer have the drop box. I guess they like making commercial drivers wait 3 hours to turn in DOT physical paperwork. DMV is a disaster. I avoid it at all costs, however when my employer mailed in my DOT physical form, DMV still showed it expired. So I was forced to go in or be taken off the schedule. One time after I paid my truck registration online, they sent me a notice that they were going to suspend my registration for failure to pay. Whoever invented DMV should be hung from the tallest tree with the longest rope. read more

The nicest people are checking you in, the worst are the ones that are supposed to help you figure your stuff out. They assume we're supposed to know everything when we come in but like that's what you're there for, to guide us in the right direction. They are the reason why everyone is turning to online. They need to do a sweep on the ones with no personality. read more

Great State Of California, the worst roads in the nation, sky high fuel prices and vehicle registration fees, etc. This DMV has such of crappy service, specially this DMV location. I have been using this DMV for over 30 years and nothing has changed or improved on anything and I'm 100% sure it never ever will.... Rude, rude and rude employees. Unorganized and unprofessional. I did try to take care of my transactions on line but the DMV app wasn't even allowing me to do what it says I was able to do online .... Just a headache every single time ...! Unfortunately in this scenarios we don't have a choice but suffer with the incompetency and inefficiency of our great California DMV offices. read more

Worst DMV ever. Had an appointment and still took over 3 hours. Employees were rude and unhelpful.

THANK YOU CATHRYN N. window #20 on 9/28/2021! You were so kind and helpful. In and out in 15 mins is the best customer service I've had in such a long time. You made my morning start off great. read more

Get the African American security off the premises,nothing racial just the way to identify him, but he would not let me in without hopping in the line and i was 8 numbers away from being called up via, the text you get after checking in the first time with the clerk i had my lettered number paper and showed it to him but he just said "no under you" like if i didnt speak English and closed the door. No professionalism was shown what so ever by him read more

Fast, friendly service. I was prepared as I went online and had everything I needed for my transaction. Lots of information online! No complaints here. read more

Surprisingly the wait wasn't long today. A big thank you to Linda for being so helpful and friendly, and I genuinely appreciate her. Now a days the majority have forgotten what customer service really is. Thanks for the pleasant experience. read more

Uhh, the CA GOV needs to increase the minimum requirements necessary to work the state jobs provided by the DMV. The lack of competence of optimization techniques for processing people and tasks at this location is unbelievable and probably the main reason why people have poor experiences here. read more

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Yvette is a pain .she is bothered by everything . She was yelling people who were standing in back where window 23 B was . She had problem using phone especially when no notice is posted not to use a phone . A notice where it says no cell phone is allowed where testing takes place . She was annoying . She is a nightmare read more

Spent 3 hours and still did not get my off road race motorcycle registered. Manager insisted after multiple calls to Sacramento we needed a sticker on the bike from Ca emissions board . Impossible to get something that doesn't exist Trish the manager was condescending and uninformed. Went to Tracy DMV and they immediately recognized that Manteca was way wrong and got us in and out in about 30 minutes. Before Tracy DMV went to AAA office and they knew Manteca was wrong but they could not complete our transaction had to go to DMV office they recommended Tracy, they were spot on. read more

This is probably the worst DMV ever. I have been here for over an hour and a half and I am still just waiting in the longest line ever. The people standing in front of me have been here since 7:20 and we haven't even been seen by anyone. I was told by an employee, prior to coming in, that 8am is their least busy time of day......... it's the busiest I've EVER seen it. There is ONE woman helping the longest line in the world and she keeps getting up and walking away!!!! I have literally been standing in the same spot for 30 minutes. read more

Came in and there was a huge line but once I got inside the building there was a DMV person trying to expedite what people needed while on line. I realized that she had asked at loud several times to have your docs out when she got to you, that's important because if you don't she got irritated. Doing some people watching and their interaction I realized that if you know what you need, are clear and to the point they are very helpful but when you don't know what you want, don't have your paperwork or are just inpatient and rude to them well guess what, they will do the same thing to you. They were very helpful, professional, and got me out of there pretty quickly. read more

I personally had a great experience here. The line was long, but it moved really quick. I'll currently from the San Jose area, but I brought my little brother here for his written test. The employees were very friendly and helpful. When we were missing a document the worker actually helped us and said that she would hold our place once were able to obtain the paper work somehow. I really enjoyed it. What's great about this place is that they give you options on taking your written test. You can either do it on paper or electronically. The paper you can't take home, but it gives you a much more time to read it. Really nice place. read more

If your ever gonna be going to dmv for any reason don't make the mistake I made and think your gonna show up early and beat the crowds just make an appointment and save yourself half a day... read more

This DMV is a shit show!!!!! I have been to DMV'S all over the country. Never seen a more incompetent staff that seems to have no training in what they do. Had to come back 3 times because of lack of information given to me. The staff is slow and unprofessional. read more

This lady named cory is a waste of space n time here n lazy af didn't even try to help or do her job had to get a manager to get $#!& done n she didn't even tell the manager I wanted to talk to her I had to look for her n I've been to this place 6 times cory lol very arrogant n worthless.this is a true story this place gives you nothing but the run a round read more

The long line is not that bad! Comparing to the long lines in the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in the Philippines PLUS the corruption at the LTO office! Ay Dios mío!!!! read more

Had to wait, because I went in before my appointment. But I was helped by Christine. She printed my driving record for me and told me how to have it expunged! She was a great help! Worth the wait, to get good help. Thank you, guys for working so hard and dealing with the public, with patience!! read more

Going to DMV on a Saturday was down right pleasant, i was bracing myself for the worst before deciding to go. i was in and out in 15 mins!

This is typical government bureaucracy...The DMV is excessively complicated and filled with unnecessary administrative procedure. Mountains of red tape and ineffective employees repeating each other's work. Why can't they automate this process online?...oh, and it smells like urine inside. read more

If I can give this zero stars I would. Y'all need some better employees working here with something called a better attitude. I don't know if it's cause you guys don't get paid enough or what but you guys need to be nicer to people. I would rather drive out of the city to go to another DMV. read more

Last time I went there. Staff was super helpful. I dont think i would have gotten out of that pickle if they hadn't helped me. Very grateful for them. read more

Hello people..today I made a visit to Modesto office and as always the service was great and positive and very pleasant surprise to be served so quickly and greeted so many times with absolute great service...10/10...today i was serviced by Genie and Bobbi at window #19....always a pleasure to meet good people (STAFF) Modesto office...thank you so for your excellent service ....sincerely johnny alvara....10:23:19 read more

The inefficiency of the DMV had to go outside five times because the first person couldn't get it right very poor service they lied on your check-in saying we checked in at 3: 15 when we've been here since 2 just to help their audit situation read more

This is one of the worse DMV. What this place needs to do is fire everyone and bring employees that want to work and are nice to people. The employees here are always upset always make you wait for long time, and always rude. read more

Anthony at Appointment Checkin was Awesome! Helped save us funds and allowed us to reschedule. Good to know good people like this exist at DMV! Unexpected enjoyable experience! read more