To preface, NOBODY likes going to the BMV, but you would think if you follow directions and do what you are supposed to do, for worst thing you have to do is wait. However, this experience was especially annoying.
I went to the office in early June, a few weeks after the re-opening of government offices after the COVID19 lockdown. I expected the lines to be long. I expected the procedures to be different. I followed the advice of the Ohio BMV website and checked into this location online and was given an "11 minute" wait time and a line number. (I know now, that wait time number is arbitrary and useless)
Upon arrival, there was one line wrapped around the entire building. The Directions from the text I received from the BMV after checking in online told me to go to the Kiosk and check in to secure my spot in line. I Walked to the front of the line to approach the door to get to the kiosk but was NOT permitted inside to check in. They were absolutely no directions about where to stand if you had checked in online so I asked people that were standing in line if they knew anything. One woman said "I checked in online, but didn't know what to do so I just stepped into the long line and have been here for an hour and a half" (I was obviously NOT about to do that, since I assumed I already had a spot in line)
After standing looking confused for a few minutes , Somebody that was braver than I, walked into the office to ask what we were supposed to do if we checked in online (as there were no directions or signs given at the facility about where to stand.) She came right back out and said to all of us that the office worker told me to stand behind the sign 6 feet apart and someone would come out and get me. So all of The online check ins subsequently obliged and started a new line behind the sandwich board. Soon there after, an irate office worker came out and started yelling at patrons who are standing in the new line.
She said to us "I don't care if you have checked in online, you aren't going to get to go in before these people who are in this longer line just because you have a cell phone and the means to do check in online, just because you saw other people do it. There's no way to prove you that you didn't just do this right now as you were standing here."
I piped up and said, "ma'am, yes actually there is a time stamp on the text message, and many of these people checked in quite a while ago and have already been given a line number. We are simply following the directions we were given." She proceeded to argue with me and said that wasn't possible to prove. I showed her my phone with the time stamp of the check in, and the email confirmation, and then finally she came out with a clipboard and took down everyone's numbers and then we were served promptly.
Once I was INSIDE the office, I was able to renew my license quickly, get my picture taken and leave in about 5 minutes. It was clean and prompt.
Moral of the story- check in online, wait behind the sandwich board and if they don't come out to get you, go in and let them know you are there because there is NO kiosk to confirm your spot in line.
I feel really bad for the office workers because it would
Seem there was not a lot of preparations for all the changes with the online check in. They are working like crazy in there to keep the line moving but there HAS to be more directions posted outside to help patrons know what to do so they aren't wasting their time with crowd control outside. read more