I haven't been to the DMV in more than a decade, since I'm an AAA member and go there for my…read morelicense renewal and Real ID update. I was gifted a preferred plate and needed to make a trip to transfer them to my vehicle. I may have been able to do this via the mail, but since I had a narrow timeframe, I opted to go in person. Reservations for the main location in Cranston generally book 2-3 weeks out. I made 2 appointments for the same day, one for the morning and the other for the afternoon in case I needed to gather additional information and didn't want to wait another 2-3 week for an appointment. One good thing about COVID is that it forced a restructuring of the DMV, which ended up being better for customers and employees, so many of the updates are still in place today. Step 1: make your reservation online for the day, time, and location you want to visit Step 2: arrive during your scheduled time Step 3: security will ask to see your confirmation before allowing you access to the building Step 4: wait in the check in line and hope that you have all of the forms and documents you need to get whatever you came for done Step 5: get called to the check in window (there are 4 of them) Show the employee behind the plexiglass your confirmation number, hand over your paperwork and forms for them to review and validate. If you have everything that you need, you receive a deli style ticket with a number on it and get to proceed to the upstairs waiting area. If you don't have all the paperwork and forms you need, you'll need to straighten that out before you go any further Step 6: wait in the second floor waiting area. The seats are so worn out that the faux leather is completely work off, leaving a spongy foam cushion to sit on. Even with an appointment, I waited 40 min for my number to be called Step 7: when your number is called, proceed to the numbered booth/window the automated system told you to enter and hand your paperwork over to the employee sitting behind that plexiglass. This person may or many not be friendly, but as long as they can take care of what you went to the DMV for, that doesn't matter. Pay your fee, collect your receipt, and leave.

It's a state facility but I will say it's come a long way…read more Here with a successful road test driver to get his license. It's clean but worn in the seating area but it's clean. Spotless actually. People are professional. The key to any successful trip to the DMV? Read the checklists and be prepared with all the required paperwork. Will you wait? Absolutely. But save your sanity and your time by getting everything ready days in advance because there might be a few things that you need to prep (do you have to find your original birth certificate? Notary perhaps?) Positive experience here if you come with the expectation that it will take a couple hours and you have your stuff.

Its the RMV. You know before you even go to one, you're gonna get soaked 9/10 times. Its going to…read morebe a real raw Colonoscopy. And it didn't disappoint me. If I ever feel like I'm not getting financially hosed at an RMV, I always feel like somethings not quite right. ( i.e. I forgot to fill out a certain form, didn't enter whatever I'm supposed to on my phone, etc. and I am doing something illegal.) My love of the RMV aside, this location is bright and clean and more spacious than their old spot in the mall. After waiting 45 minutes in line, I finally got to see someone. His name was Ben and he was actually such a nice, patient, helpful guy. I really appreciated his kindness while I was trying not to have a total Tuna Melt down while trying to get what I needed done. Long story short, I got what I needed done. I just appreciated Ben. And I feel I am 100% in the right to be angry, confused and annoyed whenever I go there. Long lines and you have to overpay whatever the heck you need. But every once in a while, you get a really nice guy who has a tough job yet was nice to me and I really appreciated that. Everyone that worked there seemed nice for whatever that's worth.

Terrible and unfriendly staff. I had to go three times to update my ID and the third time I left in…read morefrustrated tears. If you have anything more complicated than just a renew, go anywhere else

Visited the South Yarmouth Branch this morning and had a reservation at 9:00. Little mixup with my…read morenumber but all went well. I f you do not have a reservation for this location be prepared to wait over 3 hours as reservation customers are taken first. Do not yell while you are in line or the registry cops will not let you in. Make sure all your paperwork is complete or you will not be served. The registry clerks are there to help you so keep your cool!

From March 2020 to sometime in 2024, this place did not take walk-ins. Appointment only. That…read morecreated some issues, but meant that lines were at a minimum once you showed up. No more. Now, an appointment ONLY speeds up your check-in. You still go into the same queue as everyone who's just walking in off the street. As a result, you will need to wait 1-2 hours beyond your "appointment" time. What's more, there are multiple different queues (L, R, Q, M) that all show up on the same screen, with no explanation as to what they are, or what system they're calling the numbers in. E.g. they will call L76 and L77, then call Q545, Q546 and Q549, not calling any more L numbers for 12 or 13 minutes. Nobody will explain this to you, so you can't even eyeball how long your wait will be. Only nice element is that they have a computer you can log into your email with and print out documents, in case you forgot something or needed something extra. That's thoughtful. These are very solvable issues. This could work like the passport offices do: appointment only, except for emergencies that are manually screened.

I have been going to different RMVs around the area trying to solve the same issue for 6 months (I…read morehave spent over 40 hours in RMVs and on the phone trying to solve this problem). The lady at this one saw the mess and was able to fix everything in about 10 mins. It is down in a basement with limited seating, but the folks here know what they are doing!

I did not have an appointment There was a greeter to direct you where you should go, which is…read morehelpful. I needed to change my address to get a copy of the title to my car to get a Florida plate. All were very pleasant and I was in and out in 35 minutes.

As far as DMV experiences go, this one was excellent!…read more First off, make your reservation on-line. We had a two week wait for this date/time/location and it was one of the earliest we could schedule, so plan ahead! There is plenty of parking here for the limited number of patrons allowed in at one time. Handicapped parking is across from the entrance and exit - which are on opposite ends of the office. Entrance walkway is covered by a long canopy from sidewalk to door. A guard at the entrance verifies your appointment and lets you in. We arrived a bit early, but were allow access. First we stood in line for check-in. This line doesn't move too quickly. The staff here verify you have all the paperwork you need and that it is filled out properly. We actually needed one more form filled out, and to verify one piece of information. BTW, forms can be filled out on-line and printed to bring with you. We stepped over to one of two stations set up for customers to fill out forms, then waited next to the check-in line to return to the staff member who assisted us. She checked our new info and gave us a number. She was very pleasant and knowledgable saving us from an inconvenience that would have occurred later due to incorrect information we had entered on a form. We sat maybe 10 minutes (tops) before our number was called. This staff member was also very pleasant. She reviewed all the info, entered our data, asked if we wanted a Veteran plate (yes please!) and said Thank you for your service. Sweet! The process took some time, but all went well. We paid our registration fee, received our new plates and were on our way. Registration is mailed within 2 months. The space is set up as a 'one way'. You enter at one end, exit on the other. Social distance signs ask that you remain 6 feet apart. A TV at the head of the check-in line keeps you entertained with local information including DMV info, tourist sites and food. From start to finish our visit took just under an hour. Most customers were pleasant. Some had to fill out forms more than once. Only one argued with staff and that was short lived, so Yea! The appointment system keeps things moving pretty well. The check-in staff try to assure once you get your number, you have everything you need. This also keeps things moving. All together this was a quick, pleasant DMV experience.

Not be rude! It's stressful enough going to the DMV with all of their policies. I literally didn't…read moreknow how to fill out a section (plate type, plate style) and they wouldn't tell me what to put down. They kept saying they could void my paperwork since it wasn't filled out beforehand. Frustrating! Oddly enough, Cranston DMV was fine, but Wakefield DMV was rude. In the end, I had to get new plates and cancel my old ones since they wouldn't help me out and clarify what they were looking for.

I recently needed to renew my driver's license and I opted to get the Real ID one…read more So for that you need to show up in person at the DMV to make that process happen. First I made an appointment online. It was easy. Then I showed up at the office, which opened promptly just minutes before 8:30am (which was my appointment time). I got checked in and got called in within 1 minute of sitting down. The whole process inside the office took less than 15 minutes.. Great experience.

My appointment was at 9:45, and I was out the door at 9:51. I know it's not always like this, but…read morea delightful experience.

After all the horror stories that I hear and read about the Cranston DMV, I decided to give the…read moreWarren DMV a try. I was not disappointed. I went for my Driver's license renewal and I was IN/OUT in less than 60 minutes. They have ample parking and the crowds moved quickly. They are only open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:30-3:30. There are some things they don't do like commercial licenses, etc... Please check their website for specific details.

If you need to return a license plate -hit the information button to get the correct ticket I just…read morewaited two hours and could have been in and out in 20 minutes... Good to know for next time!

From two experiences so far, this location has been so good!. Surprisingly the staff were…read morestraightforward and very helpful. The place is nicely renovated and there are plenty of seats. Hands sanitizers are all over. The front lady and officers were so polite, patient and supportive. No complaints here so far as of July 2025.

Michael R. is so passive aggressive and condescending. Dramatically sighs, gives unnecessary…read moreattitude and has the audacity to ask my mother why she's anxious during her road test as if he wasn't being rude. Not raising your voice is not the same as being calm. Also, I took my road test not that long ago, I know you're allowed to look in the side mirrors as long as you press the break when you reverse, tried to say you couldn't at all.

Everywhere you go in Rhode Island is construction!! "Here a barrel, there a cone" you cannot avoid…read moreit. Route 95 South in Cranston, Pontiac Ave Cranston, 95 North near The Providence Place Mall "Aquaduct" Project...What an absolute mess The RI DOT Director and Governor should be ashamed!! What is happening with The Washington Bridge debacle by the way. The Governor of RI promised taxpayers he was going to hold those responsible for the shoddy construction accountable!? Nothing! Alviti and McKee need to go!! Vote McKee out!!

Best place to have your vehicle worked on. They will take care of your concerns, answer any…read morequestions and get you back on the road as quickly as possible. I won't take my vehicle any where else.

This place is amazing .. my third repair and all have gone flawlessly .. Christy at the desk…read morerocks!! Highly recommend.