I think 3 stars is on the generous side, but it was certainly a better experience than I ever remember having at the Gaithersburg location. I think it would only take a few quick changes to make things easier. When you walk in there is a large desk with one or two staffers on each side. Above the desk is a large sign that says "License and ID" with an arrow pointing to the right. On the same sign it says "Title and Registration" with an arrow pointing to the left. Seeing the sign, I turned left and started toward the desk on the left wall. As I got closer I heard the lady at that desk say to another customer "you have to go to the information desk". So she wasn't information. I turned around and got in the line at the entrance, hoping it was the information desk. Wouldn't it be clearer if they put up 3 signs, one in the middle saying "Information", one in front of the license line, and a separate one in front of the title line? As it was 2 people in the title line were sent to the other side because they were there for license renewal and they had to start all over. Anyway, once I got in the right line I waited about 15 minutes to get to the front and get my number. If there is a rhyme or reason to how the numbers are called it's a mystery to me. They announce them and also post them on a board at the front of the waiting area. It was about an hour before my number was called. It only took me about 5 minutes to conduct my business. The lady at the information desk and the person who processed my paperwork were efficient, if not particularly friendly. I imagine if I had their jobs I wouldn't feel very warm and fuzzy either. The lady who processed my paperwork was able to explain the pros and cons of getting a clear title or just using the old title and the lien release paperwork, which I hadn't figured out before. Besides the signs, it wasn't clear to me, other than parking and auto doors, what accommodations they had for their handicapped customers. Out of curiosity, I checked their website and couldn't find the information there either. Also I didn't find instructions I needed on their website (can I go to Express, Kiosk, or do I need full service?) until I came across the phrase "lien release" at another source. read more

How long does it take to get a learners permit? Answer: not sure - we arrived at 9 am, it's 1:35 pm and we are still here. My son passed the test 2 hrs ago and we are still waiting to pay the $50 fee. There were 4 people ahead of us waiting to pay - no one can quite figure out why it takes 30 min per person to process a credit card payment a bit it does !!! Also, there was another 2 hr delay because our son had been registered to play football in Maryland. After 2 hrs of confusion and waiting for a supervisor to comment they said the process was slow because he had played football for a club in Maryland. WHAT??? What does that have to do with applying for a learners permit. He also played soccer - does that not matter? They insisted we should have reported his interest in football although no one ever asked. We were stunned - who knew that the two were related? To be safe we started spouting random facts - he has a brother and a sister -does that matter? His grandmothers name is Heidi. He likes to wear sneakers. He also really doesn't like math or eating cheese -is that relevant? We don't know.... just trying to avoid another 2 hr delay Soooooo, how long does it take to get a learners permit ? At least 6 hours!!!!! Total time spent at white oak MVA today - 7 hours!!! read more

Consider parking on the street outside the gate. The parking lot is always a mess but inside the MVA itself - today - I was in and out in less than 5 minutes! There was a polite young lady at the front door answering questions and because I was just dropping the tags for my old car, she sent me directly to a desk so I didn't have to wait in the check-in line, which was understandably long for 10:45 on a Saturday morning. I waited at the desk for less than 60 seconds. A polite young man took my tags and closed things out for me. I walked out the door in under 5 minutes. Obviously this is out of the ordinary for a Saturday but it was efficient and effective. Thanks for the quick turn around (so I can reclaim some of my errand day) and the polite way things were handled. read more

White Oak review 2 stars really doesn't do this place any justice. (Zero stars for resent visit and 5 for a previous visit averaged out to about a 2 in my opinion) Paid white oak mva a visit most recently to assist my brother to take the road test for his license. We arrived at 8:30am, with a pass for our return visit, any day, Monday-Thursday during regular business hours. Even though we had this pass given to us on a previous day by the manager, they refused to let my brother take the test. We were tossed and turned around for 3hours! (I suspect to just frustrate us to leave) after given a supervisor ticket to speak to one, she finally called the section where they manage driving test (window 2&3) and the man finally entered my little brothers information in the system and he was able to take and pass the test. In all we spent 4hrs and 50mins at the mva. I hope to never return here, but I'm sure I will have to visit a dmv or mva ( different people call it different things) some time in the future. read more

OK, so I've matured a bit since the last review. The proof of address thing was my own fault, I just wish they hadn't wasted my time. The last two times I went (titling and registration and license switch), they surprisingly had improved their service times and I was in and out in under an hour. For emissions last weekend, I was out in 5 minutes. The key is to go EARLY if at all possible. And never on a Saturday unless you get there half an hour before it opens. Their customer service still leaves something to be desired, but at least they're more efficient. I now rate this place as acceptable. Who knew that could ever be said of an MVA/DMV? read more

They're awful and it's a complete shame that people are forced to come here. I have traveled to this hellhole over 3 times now trying to get a new license, registration, and title. I have brought all my paperwork but the damn kitchen sink and I've gotten back in response, "Oh, this isn't the right page...you don't need this you need that...we need more...we can't take that." Let me just tell you, on top of the "I-don't-give-a-damn" attitude, I was about ready to cuss these folks out. It's waste of time to come here and I'm so frustrated that I have to come back here for the fourth time to get this stupid mess resolved. It could all be so easy, but you have to make it hard! read more

Worst MVA place ever. The workers there are extremely rude, borderline useless, and have major attitude problems. Please consider saving some of your precious brain cells by not wasting your time here! read more

Whenever I see someone with a scowl from now on I will assume they just visited the Motor Vehicle Administration. I really have nothing nice to say about the whole experience except, I'm glad I was just the valet that took my brother here and not the person who needed assistance. In fact, I would like to take back all the things I said about the California DMV. I mean... I just... UGH!!!!!! I'm far calmer now writing this, than when I checking in a few hours ago... So upsetting I even have to give this place a star. No star for you! :( read more

Let's call this: White Oak MVA: "Time Stand Still..." The Ol' Mangaretta is confused by the other reviews. Perhaps I've been in a daze, but my watch doesn't lie. I'm almost afraid to tell you all my secret, but I will anyway. I had to go for a renewal; I arrived at 3:55 PM, and I was out of there by 4:15. And that includes having my picture retaken. No joke. Go in the late afternoon. So, four stars for time travel or Rush or something. The innocence slips away. read more

So I was pissed in my other review of the express location at the lack of customer service I received and the overall trash service...but they referred me to this place and I have to say.... A. The facility was really clean. B. I did stand in line for 15 minutes to wait for a ticket. C. I went midday and waiting 2 hours to get my license from out of state changed to MD license. D. They called my number on the opposite side of the building, if I wasn't staring down the screen I would have never seen my number flash for less than a second before it disappeared. E. The lady at the front was so soft spoken I couldn't understand 90% of what she was saying. Other than those things and waiting forever it was an ok experiences. TIP: MAKE SURE TO BRING EVERYTHING YOU NEED THE FIRST TIME or you will waste SO MUCH TIME! read more

This is the worst place to go customer service is very bad and everybody there is very rude they don't care about the customers they just want people to get out the place and nobody there really cares to help you with anything. Nobody welcomes you. And some people need to be gone. read more

Been in this place of purgatory since 1230pm. MVA requires us to come in person to renew your drivers license. It is is now 3:00pm. Still waiting..waiting..waiting..waiting!! If the drivers license line is longer than any other service line then why is it that they have the least amount of folks handling drivers license service...especially if you're making us come in. I understand the option to schedule an appointment but what happens when that is not convenient. I suppose the punishment is come in give your entire life for day to MVA. read more

Most of the staff are quite courteous considering the living nightmare that is this job. I went during an off day to renew my license. It was pretty quick, by MVA standards, and I was on my way. One tip don't come on Mondays or Fridays and avoid lunch hour it can get really crowded around those times. read more

It only took 2 hours for me to get my registration and driver's license (on a Thursday at 10 AM)! That said, none of the station workers (besides the lady at the informational front desk) were friendly/kind/professional. First, it would be VERY helpful to have a sign saying that the front desk is where you receive your ticket number. I was confused as to whether I should go to the eMVA kiosk or head straight to one of the numbered stations...I was waiting in the line at the kiosk because I saw other people there and then they told me I was in the wrong line. At least it was clear that I needed to go to the left side of the informational desk for car titles/registration. Second, the workers were not friendly and not kind despite me trying to be as organized and well prepared as possible. One of them said "come on, really?" under her breath when I showed her my proof of address and lease because the "type of bank statement wasn't adequate and the lease wasn't a very good copy". I would have been much more understanding if she had been kind about it. Thankfully, I left with my new plates and new drivers license in hand so I can't complain too much. Hoping not to need to go back anytime soon. read more

I had mistakenly made a drivers skill test appoinment at the Columbia MVA and was told i cant take the test there but that i should go to one of the full service locations. We came to Silver Spring after Beltsville dismissed us. Mr Ray assisted us quickly and put us on a wait list to take the drivers if there were any no shows or if there was time after everyone had been tested. Thank you Mr Ray. I hope MVA will give you a raise or bonus for giving great customer service when your counterpart at another MVA just wanted to keep the line moving and did not care that i would lose my job if i didn't get this license. God bless you. read more

I can't say anything bad. People were friendly and helpful the wait did take about 2 hours start to finish. I had to renew my license. I've been to other locations where people aren't as willing to help to receive questions but two thumbs up for the staff here. As long as you know you're going to wait, it can be an ok experience. read more

Interminable hell... I thought other MVA's I had been to were slow. Stood for 30 minutes just to get a number. Waited another hour and some minutes to be seen at the counter. Two stars only because the woman at the counter was very pleasant and helpful. Update... I paid a title service (see my other reviews) to go to Glen Burnie for me and they fixed my issue with zero problems. read more

Rude staff. Awful service. Great service from the express machine though. Maybe they should replace all the people with machines.

People have to circle around the parking lot to find space. I made an appointment and arrived on time, however, I still had to stand in line for an hour just to get a ticket. So basically, it is useless to book an appointment. Although to be fair, the front desk did give me an expedited pass so that I don't have to wait too much longer after going through the 1-hour wait to the front desk. read more

This was the worst MVA I've ever been to. I recently moved from Arizona and attempted to get my vehicle registered for Maryland. After visiting the White oak branch 3 DIFFERENT TIMES, Each time they told me to bring a different form or note or proof of ownership. They still never gave me my registration claiming that I still didn't have the proper forms. I wasted over 6 hours total and still have nothing to show for it. Nobody that could help me spoke fluent english which probably accounts for all the confusion on which form I needed. Not to mention there is no parking, and they keep trying to divert you to the automated kiosk, saying that everything can be taken care of at the kiosk. Meanwhile, you step out of line and lose your place only to find that the kiosk can't do anything but help you get new tags which could have already been done online. I'm trying to do the lawful thing and get my vehicle registered but this branch is ridiculous. I finally decided to go to the Glen Burnie branch who finally clarified everything and got me registered in about an hour. So my advice is to skip this branch and go to the Glen Burnie branch, much better service!! read more

This place always disappoints. I get here, I stand in line for about an hour just for them to tell me that I was standing in the wrong line even though it clearly states "Online Appointment Line Begins Here." So I have to go back and stand in line again, but this time, (yeah you've guessed it) a bigger line meaning longer waiting time. And their staff are either always so slow at everything they do, and some don't even know shit. Why do they even bother to ask "can I help you?" SMH They need to either hire more reliable staff or close that office. #PissedOffMan read more

Really. this place deserves about 1.5 stars. To sum it all up, not matter what time you come here, you're going to be waiting for a long time. I came here in November to take the learners permit test and it took 3 hours WAITING to take the test. After I actually took the test I got my permit pretty quickly. Yesterday I came here to take my provisional drivers licence. We walked in and got in line at the main desk, waited 5 minutes, then found out that you could go straight to kiosk 3 to show them documentation... I dont know why they didnt just put up a sign. The lady told us to drive the car over to the drivers test lane behind the building. We had a scheduled appointment for 10:30 am.. the instructor lady came out at around 11. Here's what to expect on the test: 1)Drive to the course. 2)Parallel parking. (I messed up a bit and asked if I could pull out and try again, she said yes, your 3 mins starts over.) 3)2 point turn. (Pass the parking area and back into some cones.) 4)Pull up to fake stop sign. (Make sure you come to a complete stop!) 5)Drive to exit of course and start road test. Probably took 20 mins. Relatively easy, she kept asking what the sign we just passed said and I couldnt remember. Speed limit was about 30 the whole drive test. 3)Pull back into MVA. 4)Head back to rear of building and do angle parking. I passed! I then headed back in while the instructor lady made my mom re park the car... took her 15mins to find a spot.. Waited a while more... then got called up to get the licence. The lady at the desk was pleasant. I hope this helped someone, because I wanted to know what I had to do on my drivers test! read more

There is a social stigma with DMV's within the general public. Sadly, this place upholds that negative vibe. 5 hours of my life are gone after I tried to register my car and get a driver's license from out of state. The people behind the desk are rude (the lady doing my car registration couldn't add and was very frustrated that I kept telling her that 16x$30 was not $300), and the chairs are uncomfortable. Bring a sleeping bag, and some food, because you're in for a long day. This is the type of operation that make me loathe paperwork. 24 counters, 6 people working....have fun. read more

Worst customer service at this one. I was made helpless by one of the staffs..i wish they train the staffs to treat customers better.

This is your stereotypical DMV experience. Go to the MVA Express office in Glenmont instead if you can; it's much, much faster.

This place is so slow!! Staff make u wait for two hours or more... Unbelievable!! They need to change this lazy people!

I went here today to transfer an out of state drivers license to Maryland. Compared to other DMVs I've been to it was fine. I was there right before they opened at 8:30, and was done by 10 am. They have a fairly efficient system. First you stand in line towards the left of the room until you're given a ticket with a number. The letter and number system depends on the purpose for your visit. Then you sit down to wait until your number is called. Finally you come to the ticket counter and finish your transaction. There's plenty of parking there and bathrooms inside. I recommend you bring some coffee and a good book. read more

I have had driver's licenses in a few different states over the years, and I never understood why people complain about the DMV until I went to this location to get a MD license. The amount of documentation required by the state is excessive, which isn't the fault of the staff, but I was extremely frustrated after having one employee look over my documents, say they were OK, and give me a number, only to find out after waiting for 90 minutes that one of the documents that I brought as proof of residency was not considered acceptable. Moreover, the person who wouldn't accept my documents actually seemed to take a great deal of pleasure in seeing me get frustrated, like it was all a little game to her. I finally got my MD license a week later, but I can see why a lot of people don't bother doing it when they move here. read more

Waited for 2 hours just to process the docs for knowledge test, seriously why things are so stupid in US

So here's the the thing about this location. It is your stereotypical DMV. Long lines, people who hate their jobs and long wait times. Fortunately I yelped this place before I went. Against my better judgment I decided to forego expediency for a location that was on my way to work. With a book in hand, patience and lowered expectations I went to white oak. I arrived 30 minutes before they opened on a Friday. There were already 20 people lined up. This decision was looking bad. In the 30 minutes I waited 50 more people queued behind me. The doors didn't open until 8:33 and people rushed in. When you get inside there are two lines. For someone who has never been to this location...this is where alot of people got tripped up. I was almost a victim as well. One side (to the right) is for Driver services the other side (to the left) is for vehicle services. It is important to make sure you are in the right line initially or expect to add a half an hour to your wait time. Fortunately I got out of the Driver services line and shifted quickly over to Vehicle services. I managed to get new stickers for my car and a renewed license (albeit a bit early but didn't want to have to come back which if you get done at the same time as your vehicle reg...they put you at the front of the line for Driver services) all within an hour. The trick with this place is to get there early and make sure you have everything you need. The evil DMV info staff (some were very pleasant at the actual counters) will turn you away with a smile if you don't have your paperwork in order. If you aren't in a good mood or running short on patience. Go to Glen Burnie or Annapolis. read more

Any trip to the DMV (or MVA if you like, whatever, MD!) is going to be a pain, but my experience this morning was really not so bad. Having moved from out of state, my wife and I needed new licenses and registration. We arrived at 8:15 on a Tuesday morning, and there was a line of about 40-50 people outside. The office opened at 8:30 exactly, and it took about 20 minutes to get to the sorting hat -- I mean, desk. The woman there was a stickler for original documents and making sure we had all the that annoying stuff they tell you on the website that you need. We got our numbers, and waited literally less than a minute before they were called. (This was on the license side, by the way, which we did first because you need a MD lic# for the title/reg application.) So I had a new MD license by 9:00! How about that? Then they transferred my # over to the vehicle side, where we had to wait about 40 minutes because by that time there were lots of people there. We walked out with our new title and registration at 9:40. We noticed that by then the lot was completely full and people were either waiting for spaces or parking in the mini-mall across the street. I also noticed that on the MVA wait times page, the wait times seem to get a lot longer as the day goes on. So I recommend first thing on a weekday, triple-check and make SURE you have all your documents (plus some redundant ones), and thank your lucky stars you aren't at the NY DMV, which I can tell you from experience is actually the 8th circle of hell. read more

Thank you thank you.. mva was painless today..i went in with insurance violation..was shaking didnt kno how it would go...but from the moment i get there it was smooth sailing..thank you ladies...you rule...suspensions lifted in under hour..the earlier you go the better. read more

I had to come here for an emissions test. The emissions place is completely separate of the rest of the MVA services, which is really quite great. I waited in a car line for 15 minutes, jamming to my own music, and then was instructed to drive up to the service center. The guy did everything he had to do very quickly and I was done with my car in a matter of minutes. I was expecting at least an hour of waiting, but nope in and out within 20 minutes. Although, I did go on a Thursday at 2:30 pm, so I would recommend going during normal 9-5 work hours. read more

Recently moved to Maryland from NC. Let me start off with saying that I thought the NC DMV (division of motor vehicle) was bad - definitely was mistaken when I took my first step in this place. I always come in these places having high hopes although everyone that works there looks miserable - the long waits, and awful attitude of the staff. Those high hopes quickly disappeared when I had my first conversation with the lady working the information line. She was god awful with the worst attitude. I simply had a question of what I needed to do in order to transfer my tags and get a new license. First of all, I felt like I was talking to a wall. Second, she rudely cut me off before I could finish my sentence. Lastly, she was definitely of no help to me. She quickly dismissed me - leaving the MVA with nothing accomplished and wasted almost 2 hours there. read more

This place straight up blows big chunks. I thought that changing states from Massachusetts where I admit, people aren't the nicest, to Maryland, a place where everyone has said is nicer, I have found the one place where this does not apply. I can't blame them either, because after waiting here for now over 1 hour, I want to repeatedly stab my kidneys with a blunt spoon until I pass out. I can't imagine working here. Let's start with the beginning. I need to change my drivers license to md. I go to the express place in Wheaton at 815am. I wait in line for about 25 minutes, I meet the information lady, and she tells me they do not provide this service here and I need to go to a different location. I say alright,fine, and go to the other location. Flash forward 3 hours later 2 more separate trips to the MVA, and I'm still in this waiting room with hundreds of others all awaiting certain doom. No joke, when I came in there was a man, a grown burly man, outside with his head in his hands crying. My guess is that he is a worker here and just about to head to his shift. read more

This uva is better than the one in Laurel if u come late afternoon u might not wait long but I mean around 2:30 pm not many people

Stereotypical mva experince. No parking, long lines and employees that are nasty, rude and ungrateful to have a solid government job. It is VERY worth it to go the extra 30 minutes and use the Glen Burnie MVA. This place looks like the waiting room of jail.....yuck yuck and gross! read more

Crazy long lines and serious disorganization. Highly recommended you go mid week. I had no choice since I had to go to a full service MVA and made the mistake of going on a Friday the first time. Won't do that again. Spent an hour in one line just to get a number to wait another 2 hours. I went again today and it wasn't as bad. But it still seems like they could do something better to organize the place and streamline it to get people through there a little quicker. read more

I waited until 2pm to go renew my drivers licence. I had read this on another review and followed their advice. I walked in and had two people in front of me in line. The information desk attendant was very helpful and kind. I received a number, Sat down for two minutes and my number was called. This was the smoothest and fastest licence renewal ever! If you are just renewing, wait until the afternoon and you will breeze right through. read more

This place is organized mayhem but if you have the opportunity use the self service kiosk. Saves a lot of time. I am so glad I was able to go in and out in 6 minutes. They have 3 kiosk units which will get you in and out. Most of the times the parking is adequate but does get full pretty quick. Over all I would use this MVA if I was in the area but would rather the one in Annapolis if I had to choose because its less congested. read more