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    Recommended Reviews - DMV office

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    multiple lines 15 people deep at 8am when they open on a weekday
    Robert C.

    One of the most dreaded days of your life -root canal surgery? No, going to the CA DMV, without an appointment. I create a DMV account online to pay the driver license renewal fee and then the written test. I take a virtual test center access online, so that I don't have to take the written driving knowledge test at the DMV. I try to make an appointment through the DMV website, but the appointment button is not operational. Have to call 800-777-0133, and only during business hours. Too many rude DMV employees in the past, so they have me talking to a robot. Next appointment in Santa Clara a month away. There is an online "wait in line" feature, but I'm 44th in line at 330pm Thursday, so I skip that. I go in person without an appointment the next morning. Washed my hair, got on my best shirt, clean shaven, no nose hairs sticking out, as wanted to present myself as best as I could from the collar up. First impressions. There is a reason no politician wears a beard or mustache. People don't trust them. Want customs or TSA security to look at a trustworthy face! Arrive 740am Friday, 20 minutes before they open, Santa Clara DMV parking lot almost full. Line wraps around the building, with 70+ people ahead of me in the no-appointment line. Get in the first of four lines, this a line for to get a number. Security guard to take out line jumpers. I've seen the midday weekday lines at Santa Clara and Santa Theresa DMV around the block, rivaling Disneyland! Bring your cell phone, so that you can get your line number texted to you, and notifications of when your number comes up. I'm assigned number G-024 at 8:07am. Right thumb print taken. They make sure you have the necessary documents, before taking a seat with 70 + other people. No free wifi, and no electrical power outlets to recharge your cell phones or tablets. Restrooms available. They have 27 windows to serve you, and all of them manned this morning. 8:31am G-024 shows up on the 3 overhead TV monitors, directing me to move your ass up to window 3. I show her my screenshot of my $45.90 registration fee paid, plus screenshot of finishing the virtual test center access. She gently scolds me for not waiting 24 hours for the payment to go through as directed on the web site. Take an eye test, right thumb print, sign off some more forms. Third line in the long camera line. Right thumb print again. No, you do not get to see your picture, until it is mailed to you within the next 2 months. Fourth line for written test. But I've taken the test online, so it's just a formality of finalizing the temporary driver's license good for two months. There is a sign saying line for road test. At least it doesn't say line for road test, including all Asians! 9:12am, I walk out the door, mission accomplished. Meanwhile cars circle the limited parking lot like vultures, looking for anyone leaving. Only 90 some parking spots, and street parking limited due to high density multi story apartments and condominiums. Just hope my new driver's license arrives before my current one expires, as got to fly a few days later, and the temporary driver's license won't do for identification.

    Glenda yelling
    Jon F.

    Waiting for my wife and daughter to pull up at the DMV line, and the employee Glenda proceeded to yell at me for standing under the over hang. There is a sign that says no visiting, but not no standing or waiting. Glenda was rude, and very unprofessional. She was the only drive instructor and I feel bad for those customers, especially the ones that have to take their driving instruction from her. I get that the government is poorly run, and the DMV optimizes it, but please manage your employees to treat people with respect.

    View from parking lot
    Brian B.

    Treat yourself by making an appointment. The line of folks without an appointment consisted of around 10 people. There was no line at all for folks with an appointment. I handled all my business in less than 30 minutes. It was great. The folks behind the counter were friendly and very focused on getting business done. I appreciate their friendliness and tenacity. 4-star with an appointment. 2.5 stars without an appointment.

    Example of REAL ID Confirmation page

    With my license expiring next week and limited appointment slots, I had no choice but to visit the DMV as a potential walk-in. (More on that later.) I packed a portable charger and resigned myself to having to wait several hours at the DMV. To my surprise, I was in and out within approximately an hour. On my way there, I noticed that the parking lot looked pretty full, so I chose to park in the neighborhood and walked a couple of blocks. (If you enjoy parallel parking, there are closer spots nearby.) Once I reached the entrance, I tried to keep an eye out for signage (appointments/disabled and no appointments) since reviews had mentioned it could be confusing. From outside, the lines looked relatively short. I expected them to potentially wrap around the building because of REAL ID concerns. To my delight, I could actually see and walk inside. Interestingly, the outdoor signage for the appointment line seemed to be on the right side but once I went inside, the signage was on the left. This is where "potential walk-in" becomes relevant. I had received an email with a confirmation code showing a green stop sign after completing my REAL ID license renewal paperwork online last month. According to the email, I could "report to the appointment line at the Start Here window" for an "express experience." In other words, the email was suggesting that scheduling an appointment was unnecessary. I decided to risk it since some netizens (specifically Redditors) claimed it was true. I went to the oddly empty appointment line, showed the DMV employee my confirmation code, and received a ticket number via text message after telling her my cell phone number. I waited for about 40 minutes before it was my turn to be served. I had a great experience with Patty at Window 23. She was very friendly and helpful. Since I already had my REAL ID, I didn't have to show her my documents. I just needed to verify my information, scan my thumbprint, and pay. She directed me to line C to take my photograph after gaving me a receipt and temporary license. Once I took my photograph and provided a signature, I was free to leave. Overall, I prefer going to DLPCs over a regular DMV for efficiency's sake. However, I had a pretty good experience considering how much regular DMVs have to handle. Since my last visit maybe a decade ago, I did notice some technical upgrades, such as contactless payment and better cameras (according to Patty). Your experience at a DMV will probably vary based on whom you interact with and your readiness where paperwork is concerned. Some employees were a little more direct or curt than others. If it's within Santa Clara DMV's control, I'd really like it if they improve their signage. The signs are a little small and it wasn't really clear to me if I was in the right line. I also wasn't completely sure when it would be my turn since the appointment and walk-in lines were right next to each other and the employees at the windows were serving customers from both. (Honestly, I still question whether I went to the correct line since it was completely empty. No one yelled at me, so I guess it was fine?) Otherwise, I highly recommend completing your paperwork ahead of time online, especially if you are trying to get a REAL ID. When I last checked, appointments weren't available until August. Thanks to the new ticketing system, you can also wait outside until you get a text message saying it's your turn. They also give you a link to their website to see your spot in line, but it didn't work for me when I was there.

    Outside
    Derek S.

    Came by the other day to renew my drivers license and it was a leisurely and bureaucratic experience. Received a letter in the mail to renew my drivers license and managed to secure an appointment 30 days later after completing the application online. Parking is available in the private lot and/or on residential streets. Upon arrival, the queue to check-in was ~30 minutes despite having an appointment. After being checked in, the wait to see an agent was another ~30 minutes. The interaction with the agent was quick and took maybe ~2 minutes. The line to take a photo was another ~15 minutes. ~90 minute to renew a REAL ID with an appointment.

    Extremely Unprofessional and Disturbing DMV Driving Test Experience - Santa Clara, CA (May 5, 2025 at 2:45 PM).
    Octavia B.

    Extremely Unprofessional and Disturbing DMV Driving Test Experience - Santa Clara, CA (May 5, 2025 at 2:45 PM) I'm writing on behalf of my best friend and her son, who had a deeply upsetting experience during his behind-the-wheel driving test at the Santa Clara, CA DMV on May 5, 2025, at 2:45 PM. The examiner, Jacqueline, was immediately curt and dismissive, not just to my friend and her son, but to nearly everyone waiting in line. Her attitude was tense, unwelcoming, and unprofessional from the start. Out of concern, my friend advised her son to try to avoid Jacqueline, but he was eager to take the test and didn't want to miss his opportunity. As he was just about to pull onto the street, my friend could hear Jacqueline yelling inside the vehicle. Moments later, the car returned unexpectedly, Jacqueline had abruptly ended the test. Her son later explained what happened: "I looked both ways before pulling out. It was clear. There was one car far back on the right, so I went. Suddenly, the instructor started yelling, 'Stop! Stop! Stop!' and grabbed the brake. I was freaking out, 'What did I do?' I didn't understand." This was his first driving test. Rather than being evaluated calmly and fairly, he was left shaken and discouraged. To make matters worse, another DMV driving instructor who was nearby casually mentioned that Jacqueline "fails a lot of people." My friend couldn't help but wonder if her son's ethnicity influenced the way he was treated. First-time drivers deserve patience, professionalism, and fair treatment. Unfortunately, this experience offered none of those things. If you are taking your test at this DMV, especially for the first time beware of Jacqueline. 1 star. Strongly disappointed. We urge the Santa Clara DMV to investigate this examiner's conduct.

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    For a DMV office it's one of the better ones you can go to in California. I was in and out like the burger chain

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    Page 1 of 19

    DMV office Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - DMV office

    What time do they open?

    8 am Monday to Friday

    Do I need to make an appointment to have my drivers license address change?

    I would try to make an appointment online. It was faster in my experience.

    DMV closing at 5PM but what if I'm in line at 4, would I be able to check in?

    Yes they will take care of u. My grandson was there at 425

    I received a renewal notice but my driver's license will expire on 2024? What should I do? Ignore it or call DMV?

    I got my license renewed and they told me it will take 4-6 weeks to get my new license by snail mail. They give you a temporary paper listen every while you wait. My suggestion is to do after you've done your travel (in case you use your real Id for… Read more

    Do I need an appointment to take written driving test? When I try to make an appointment, there's only the option for the actual behind the wheel driving test?

    No you don't need an appointment. Testing area is closed at 430 pm. Try going in early

    Do they have walk-in appointments?

    Yes. However the walk-in line does have a queue. I made an appointment online and didn't experience a queue.

    My cousin is new in the US and is not fluent in english. She is due to take a behind the wheel test this coming week. Can she have a vietnamese examiner?

    I would be amazed if they didn't have someone there to accommodate her. They give you the option of Spanish, Vietnamese and other languages for the written portion. I'm sure you could request a Vietnamese speaking examiner. Check the DMV website and… Read more

    View All 13 Questions

    Review Highlights - DMV office

    I went to Santa Clara dmv and had a wonderful experience from the man at the front door to the test person.

    Mentioned in 43 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Departments of Motor Vehicles 376 times last month within 5 miles of this business.

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    Social Security - Entrance. Small parking lot shared with the VA.

    Social Security

    2.7(110 reviews)
    5.9 mi

    I was scammed, so I had to close my bank account, and open a new one. Fine, scammer received no $s,…read morebut a bit later, no SS check. Updated my direct deposit, but the SS website gave me an option of starting my DD in July or August. I was waiting for my March check, which should come at the end of April. Tried to bypass, but NO, you must pick one. WTF! There was no way to change this any where on the site or by phone. Couldn't wait for 2-4 weeks for an appointment, so into the abyss of a government bureaucracy I proceeded. Showed up at 9AM (opening time), already a line of 15-20 people waiting at the door. Got in line, and after about a half hour was standing in front a kiosk for check-in. Oh of course my issue was not listed, mine Account Suspended. I chose something, and then because I am disabled, I had 2 choices for my disability, which is balance issues, so I push a 4 wheeler, which was NOT a choice. Blind or deaf, hard of hearing. Her Ladyship, reached over and chose the hard of hearing, because I froze a bit. and off we went to sit at one of the 20 plus chairs. From the numbers on the display board, it looked like it would be a very long wait. 20 minutes later I was called, got a very nice man, and in 10 minutes I was out the door. Big Giant YAY. Place has easy parking. This was the Mountain View office.

    This is regarding employees that work for Social Security. There are 2 employees that let a person…read moretake an important test for me, and use against me. I'm not sure what office they work at, but this is regarding SSI. Her name is Jeanette and his name is Kevin.

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    Social Security
    Social Security
    Social Security

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    DMV office - departmentsofmotorvehicles - Updated May 2026

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