MY GOAL: To obtain a REAL ID and renew my license that had expired in the last two weeks. TIME SPENT: Under 2 hours total --- 30min to upload documents one business day prior, 45min waiting for the office to open, 15min waiting in line during office hours, and ~10minutes to get thru check-in, document review, and re-activating my license with a future REAL-ID. EVENTS: I completed my real ID verification document uploads the proceeding Friday. I belatedly discovered my license had expired, but also that I needed a real ID to comply for the spring 2025 mandate. Late Friday afternoon, I uploaded .pdfs of a W-2 form (SS verifying document), bank statement (redacted and only cover page with address), and credit card statement (redacted and only cover page with address), with accompanying active passport (photo page only). This was deemed sufficient and surprisingly approved Friday late afternoon (in hours!) by email with a confirmation code and 30d expiration. After I printed my documents at home in black/white (both redacted and full versions, the latter was an unnecessary back-up), I arrived at 7:45 AM the following Monday without an appointment. I was number 12 in line. For context number one arrived at 7 AM at this Franklin location. Some of us early birds brought lawn chairs. And behind me, there were over 30 individuals by the time the office opened at 8:30 AM. 15 minutes prior to the office opening, two helpful employees (one elderly woman named Crooks) went down the line and asked each individual about the reasons for their presence there today, as well as to reviewed the appropriate documents. I had pre-printed my redacted abbreviated uploaded documents, which were deemed usable. I had the upload confirmation code, as additional proof. At 830, the office opened, and by 8:45 AM I had reached the front of the line. Of note, I tried obtaining an e-ticket, but it repeatedly failed at the final step 4, with a VDI error. The "check in desk agent", with Parkinsonian hand tremor, reviewed the documents and required the assistance of another, apparently more experienced, but also elderly individual, to navigate screens on the computer to appropriately check my printed documents that I provided. These were deemed accurate (despite me offering the confirmation code of my previously uploaded documents - no idea if they were cross-checking). I was then asked to scan a QR code, which checked me in, and texted me some simple questions (btw I did this during the computer check-in shenanigans). Next I was directed a kiosk, which they called an 'iPad', of which there were three, and digitally confirmed some simple demographic-type questions, took a digital photo, and received a paper receipt of a active drivers license with the printed official copy to arrive in the mail in the subsequent 20 days. No fees for my expired license! I Concluded my kiosk time at 8:54. As I departed, I was overhead called to one of the ~7 cubicles on the left side of the office space, but then, I was shooed away, as my experience was deemed complete at the kiosk. Maybe the cubicle land was for those who had an appointment, an e-ticket, an initial license, or more complex need - I have no idea. In Short, despite some of the daunting reviews and the uncertainty on the DMV website itself, lack of ability to ask any questions at all beforehand, and a limit to readings on Reddit, Quora, and Google, I found this experience to be better than my expectations were set at, and I was quite pleased. Hopefully your journey will be as smooth as mine, even with an expired license in the state of TN. read more

I want to file a complaint about the terrible service I received at the DMV. The staff treated people with disrespect and acted in a very rude and unprofessional manner. I felt like I was being treated unfairly and looked down on. The environment was uncomfortable, and some employees showed discriminatory behavior that felt racist. No one should be treated that way while simply trying to complete DMV services. I hope this complaint is taken seriously and that changes are made to improve the way customers are treated. read more

Recently moved to TN and needed to get a new DL. If you need a DL please, please make sure you have the documents you need. I needed my old DL and 2 proofs of residency and be ready to make a payment for your DL as well as ready to take a picture. I came in the day before to find out what I needed in order to be proactive. The following day I came without an appt at 8:45 am and it was already packed so remember get there early. Appts didn't seem to make a difference because the two people that sat next to me had appts and were not seen until 2 hours after their appt time. So get there before they open is what I advise. Take a book, charged phone or work items to work on because you will be there a while. To give context I finished a book while waiting. Yes, a whole novel was completed in addition to chatting with people I sat next to. Came in at 8:45 and left at 3pm. Spent so long there that the people I sat with instantly bonded and started clapping for each other each time one of us finally got called up to claim the golden ticket of finally being able to be helped and leave. Be ready to be there the whole day and remember to park in the designated areas as the back parking lot belongs to another business and you will be towed. The customer service was kind and helpful but more staff would be great to service the amount of people that are coming each day. So moral of all of this is: 1. Get there early 2. Eat breakfast and pack a lunch 3. Bring something to keep you busy 4. Bring all the correct documents so you don't have to waste another day. read more

This DMV was great! They got me in early and I was in and out of my appointment in 5 minutes. I think most of the negative reviews here are because people don't check the required documents before they come. You get an email of what you need to bring when you make the appointment. Have everything ready and you're good to go. My worker was very kind and the building was clean (and has tap to pay!) Recommend this DMV if you can get an appointment. read more

Need to move to a bigger location and more service staff. With all the available office space all over Brentwood and Franklin it's not difficult! Going to the Franklin DMV is an absolute nightmare. read more

Closing time,just got told to leave because they don't provide service 15 minutes to 17:00

Tbh be ready to have the worst day ever, whatever lady I had was incredibly rude. Said my full name out loud multiple times so there is no privacy absolutely at all and she was clearly judging my name- probably racist. I did nothing wrong or mean at all but she was rolling her eyes like no tomorrow. Just absolutely miserable people who hate their lives and want everyone to suffer with them. read more

Everything was terribly run. I would dive 2 hours out of the way rather than going here.

Understaffed, rude, and after my 2nd visit, still told me what I actually needed after bringing what online told me I needed (didn't the first 2 visits)- they have no great process to get you in and out, and don't have their ducks in order. Get there at 6:30AM to be close to the front of the line otherwise, you're too late and be ready to wait 4-5 hours before being told that you still don't have enough to get your task done. Brutal! read more

Why rate the DMV right? It is what it is. But here's the difference why you should never go to this location. Got yelled at multiple times for doing exactly what you would do standing in line. I could fix their problems with an ink jet printer and 5 minutes. The line goes out the door and no parking available in front at opening. #1 There's no sign saying there is parking in back. Next you stand outside and that's what you expect. Once you get in the door the fire alarm is taking out your ear drums, but you watch and wait patiently for the next door to open and since there's no instructions whatsoever just go in at a normal careful pace. Now a lady is yelling at you (this will happen several times to the people in line after you sit down too) to go back out the first door..but you can't because there has been no direction until now and everyone is pushed up inside the first section and can't hear to move back out. This is when she will yell "I need you to go back out the doors now, there is personal information here you can't see and pictures being taken. Again, you'll be part of a group of very by the book citizens just moving slowly in a line doing your very best. Nowhere near any "personal info". You'll find out after sitting down this lady goes on a loop every 40 mins in your 4 1/2 hour wait. The Information desk is located in the very back, so people are get yelled at when they walk in asking about an appointment or specific thing to the first counter they see. Normal things you expect t like getting the smokers walking back in and sick people next to you coughing, that's normal. But once at the counter after this every 8 year deal you have to show up, there is no eye test, no sign test. So why are we here in person? They also tel out top voice for road tests in a room too big to hear. Please let me just fix this with a few minutes of instructions on the door, wait times instead of commercials for being a correctional officer, just want to know when I can get back to work. No wheelchair space in their makeshift line to the info guy. Also watched a lady with her boy's special needs take him in the single bathroom and a couple jeered them on the way out. Why there is not a basic security guard here to help is beyond me. If you like being an excellent citizen and being punished for it then this is your place. Otherwise, go anywhere else you can if you don't need Williamson. read more

Showed up at 2:25 pm on a Thursday to convert my DL to Real ID. Waited over 2.5 hours, then employee announced they were closing (5pm) and that anyone whose name wasn't called would have to leave and come back on another day....... Why can't they work OT for a short while to finish up people who gave been waiting for hours? Why allow someone to sign in if they don't believe that they will get to that person? There should be a cut-off time for registration and if you sign in by then they should serve you. Wasted three hours. read more

What a horrible experience. Tried last week to get my license, but the passport machine to verify ID was broken. Came today and was first told to come back in 3 hours and put my name on a waitlist. Came back and the guy will not give me a number, but told me to sit and wait and they will call my name. I sit 20 minutes, this feels weird, ask him again about getting my name called. Then he told me it's not guaranteed. Still waiting..... read more

Awful service!! Couldn't get an eticket for a minor's driver's permit - so we headed to the Carother's office. Long line (2hrs standing, waiting for our documents to be reviewed), and then another 2 plus hrs inside, waiting for our number to be called. We arrived at 8:30 (opening) and were still waiting by 12:35pm. Watching the numbers being called on screen, in a crazy order - wondering if the written number given us was valid... Then - it was Lunch break! Who knows when that will end. We'll rot here! Will they even care??! read more

Zero ratings I bring My SSN card Birth certificate My drivers license from Colorado Rental contract from Franklin tn marriage license And still they wanted me to bring the marriage certificate. They didn't accept all the papers I bring.until I bring the marriage certificate. This place sucks they waited my time twice because the first time was my birth certificate was supposed to be blue edges, I got the new one with the blue edges,now it's a different problem. read more

Jonathon was very nice the line was long but when we got to the desk he was amazing and super helpful!

It's still the DMV, but it's pretty well organized compared to the rest of them. I got here at 8 am and was about 16th in line. They opened right away at 8:30 and got us in with paperwork. They moved pretty quickly. Now the negative part. At the previous DMV (in hart) I was told I did not need a social security card to get an out of state license because I had my birth certificate and W2 with my social security on it. The internet confirms this as true. BUT here the lady said you NEED A SOCIAL SECURITY card. (Sorry not yelling just using caps locks so anyone with this same question can easily find it in the reviews) . So even though online it will tell you that a W2 or tax document with your full social security on it will work she will tell you no and send you home without a license. I had to come back another day. I went to the one in Hart this time. Even though it's less organized at least they know what documents you actually need and don't need. It was funny I handed the guy my social security card at Hart and he looked at me like I was crazy. I told him how in Franklin they sent me away without it and he said "I'm sorry they don't know what documents you need". Hmm thought that was their job. So that's why Franklin gets 3 stars. Three stars for a positive attitude and organized process. Minus two stars for not knowing key aspects of their job and wasting 2 hours of my day. read more

Went to get my Real ID today at the DMV in Williamson County. Tips: Make sure you have all your documents and double check them before You leave. Make sure if your last name is not the same on all documents to bring proof of name changes such as a marriage license. Also remember to bring SS card or Tax form with your number on it. Bring something to keep you occupied, try to be pleasant, and polite. It is just something that is required so get it done and move on. But, plan to be there awhile unless you get lucky. The main reason for my review was that I wanted to say the two women at the front desk that checked everyone in were patient, helpful, and kept everyone informed. Not easy to do when the staff has the added responsibility of the real ID on top of their regular responsibilities. The young lady that took my picture for my license was extremely sweet to each person she waited on. I had to compliment her and let her know that I noticed how kind she was to each customer. I was so glad when she was the one to call my name. I always hear negative things about DMVs, but they helped to make it as "painless" as possible. Williamson County has grown so much in the last several years and perhaps it is time to build more DMV locations. I can't speak for all the employees because I didn't interact with most of them. . So people please go with a positive attitude and maybe you will be treated nicely. If the clerk does seem rude, well just look at the waiting area and listen to some of the complaints. (Sorry you didn't bring the right stuff-aggravating yep! But your fault and not the employee's. ) Subtracted one star for lack of signs letting Real ID people know where to go. But there were so many helpful people in line to direct me. Oh, and parking.....ugh. read more

Living in California, the DMV has always sucked. Worst experiences have been waiting three hours or so and I thought that just comes with living in a crazy populated area like Orange County. But holy balls was this place just the absolute goddamn worst. First off, parking. This place is meant to serve people in Williamson county which has been seeing population boom in the last few years, yet the entire place seems built as if it's meant for a small town in the middle of nowhere. As a result, there's like 20 parking spaces. I ended up parking up the street and walking with my daughter and on the way back in saw probably 6 or 7 cars drive in to find parking before giving up and turning around. One option you would think is maybe wait a bit until someone leaves but that leads to the next issue... As we walk in we see the line for check in, but not quite the end. Turns out the line to check in goes all the way through the middle aisle of chairs, wraps around, and right back to almost the door. The place has only been open a half hour. We wait in line for an hour JUST TO CHECK IN. Kiosks meant to be for citizens to check themselves in are turned off and have a handwritten sign saying to check in at the front counter. I finally get my turn and I have everything ready to go and it looks like I'll be getting my TN license without a hitch. Once I'm checked in I breathe a small sigh of relief because we can now sit and wait. And wait. And wait. I watch the screen, I'm D138. They're on D114. Eh, shouldn't be too bad, right? 4 hours. It took four more hours to be seen. It took 4 hours to get through 24 other people. I wonder what the hell is going on about halfway through and as I look at all the numbers called, there's a pattern: D120- Counter 4 D121- Counter 4 D122- Counter 4 D123- Counter 4...and so on. One counter for a good period of time was operating for people trying to get their licenses squared away. Even more insane, around 1:30, they started turning people away because they were "at capacity". Their hours are 8:30am-5pm. A little halfway through the day and anyone who makes it then is told "Sorry, try again tomorrow". It's not right. Now, I want to say I in no way blame the staff. They seem just as miserable as all of us waiting, but CLEARLY there are issues being had here, and they are not new. You look at reviews from here and other sites and you see all the same issues. This place needs to be revamped or extended ASAP. First off, in this day and age the idea of not being able make an appointment online is just stupid and insane. It would stop people on both sides wasting each other's time. Expand the damn lot. Or have signs that tell you where to go if the lot is full. Invest in a second lot or something, make a deal with a local business. You're servicing a large populace that grows bigger everyday. It's time to make the investment. Get more staff and schedule them in a way where if someone takes a lunch or something it's not one unfortunate employee shouldering the responsibility of servicing a hundred poor souls. The entire place feels antiquated and no longer up to the task of what it was meant for. I really hope whoever is responsible for allocating funds for this place realizes how desperately it needs an overhaul to meet the needs of the community because as it stands now it falls miserably short. read more

Thank you to the customers who see our hard work and acknowledge it! Sending us gifts is always appreciated but just telling us how great we're doing means a lot. We're a very busy place and don't always have the best experiences with customers, so when we do we appreciate hearing about it from you guys! read more

Williamson County Driving Center - Thank you to our great customers. - Departments of Motor Vehicles Near Me - Franklin, Tennessee

Bring a chair, and a picnic lunch... I went on a Tuesday morning and there was a line well out the front door that was not moving at all. I poked my head inside and the person working there said she was the only one up front and that it would be a while. While I was only about the 10th or 11th person in line, I only saw 2-3 people go into the building in about 40 minutes (the person near the front of the line when I looked in said that she had been there about 2 hours as they arrived before the place opened). I think the combination of drivers tests, real id requests and drivers licenses (with no queuing whatsoever) makes this a very inefficient location to get anything done at. It is crazy to think that I may need to drive 45 minutes to find a DMV location that can handle any kind of volume, but that is what several people told me to do. read more

As far as DMVs go, this was a great experience. Yes there's a line but they're efficient and kind and helpful

License Renewal, this is never fun ! Sir, you'll have to use the kiosk to check-in. Fill out two forms and wait for your number to be called. It's starting to feel like I'm number 100000000008976543. Get here early folks. read more

I have been here twice in the last two weeks. I give the DMV workers here 5 stars. I showed up first thing in the the morning-a very cold morning. The first time it was 18 degrees with people lined up outside. The DMV staff was outside with clipboards and forms trying to help people. Kudos to them! I'm always amazed at how unprepared people are when they show up and also with a crappy attitude. You can only help people so much. Great job at this DMV office. Thank you! read more

I arrived just before 4pm on a Friday. The gals at the front handing out number tickets were kind, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Best trip I've had to this DMV. Thank you, and keep up the good work. read more

It's a common fact that the DMV is the place souls go to die. The waiting room is sopping with despair. Forgotten dreams and lost hopes hang in the air like a muggy summer day. Children scream and babies cry, for they know they are too young to be exposed to such bureaucratic horrors. The secretary's shrill voice cuts through the fog of misery waking patrons from their slumbers. Everyone leans in for her voice promises one blessed souls escape. Eyes pierce the lucky victim's back with jealousy, but quickly return to their glazed zombie state. Those unfortunate enough to occupy seats adjacent to the restrooms realize their mistake too late when the aroma of nervous gas and relieved constipation slowly seeps into the crowded room. Privacy has no place here. A birthday girl waltzes in, excited to finally earn the freedom the drive, however she must first slay the immovable dragon that is the front desk secretary. Her fury at the world for wrongs no one could possible understand, is now focused on this birthday princess. Her joy is an unwelcome parasite, squelched at the door. The secretary breathes flams of questions of residency, incorrect documents, and unprovoked rudeness. The DMV was a failed communist propaganda system. The citizens have no other option but to succumb to the bowels of government regulation. Private enterprises would compete for your business, promising quick lines and a warm environment. Alas, we must suffer together in a mock-up Soviet-era life. The number system is an enigma itself. To have an idea of where you are in line, would be to claim yourself as a genie. Confusion is expanded through the addition of letters. Q369, D104, A132, Q328. Even those gifted in pattern and code skills would falter at the task of estimating if they had time to grab lunch or not. An angel decends upon us. God blessed this woman with the idea to escape the devil's lair and nobly return bearing gifts. The DMV society's collective blood sugar was quickly dropping resulting in curt remarks and hateful glares. Cheap peanuts butter crackers resurrected the weary travelers. Crinkling wrapper and soft crunching replaced grumbling and snores as the new anthem of the working class. The cheer was short lived - if only the tricks of time acted equally. The DMV was designed to suck the marrow of joy from the population to ensure a straight faced ID photo. There's no smiling at the DMV. read more

I would personally try and research which dmv is the best even if it's a drive. I waited over an hour and a half to be seen. If you do want to come here go online and make an appointment, you'll still wait, but maybe a little better. read more

This was such a positive experience that I just had to give a review and rating. Every employee I encountered was friendly, helpful, and wore a smile. I made an appointment online in order to update my Driver's License to a "Real ID". I arrived a few minutes before my appointment, found parking easy, and was greeted as I walked in the door. The lady greeted me, checked that I had the correct documents, explained the process and how I would be called when it was my turn. The wait was short and the process was easy to understand as it was directed and clearly explained. The young lady who worked with me at the counter was also friendly, smiling, and efficient. I was in and out in a total of about 30 minutes. We'll done! read more

Get there at least an hour early & have twice as many documents as you think you need. Got there at 7:20, was about 20th in line. Brought extra documents and when I presented the first two I was told one didn't count. I presented the extra but said their website says a spouse ID counted the exchange went as follows Me: it says it counts on the website. You need to figure that out. Rude old man with glasses and a goatee: no YOU need to figure it out because it doesn't count. This man really pulled out a middle school "no u" on me? I get having a lot of people to get through but it is no excuse for being rude and dismissive. Needless to say I wasn't lying, the website does indeed a spouse ID counts. Just be doubly sure you've got everything you could need and then some. read more

Returned for the fourth time to attempt to get my license changed from PA to TN. The lady at the first counter was much nicer and I was able to get que ticket. My estimated wait time noted on the ticket was 55 minutes. I finally received my new temporary license for about four hours later at 5:30 pm. How can TN do something so poorly that PA does so well? *The Director/ Commissioner of the TN DMV is incompetent based on the systematic issues with the licensing process. .*Somebody in TN souls benchmark PA's process to adopt 21st century practices immediately. During the year that I have been trying to transfer my license the online system has gone completely backward. You can no longer reserve a place in line, complete an electronic application form (although the instructions still indicate that you can.) I still had my online form from the last two visits but, I had to complete the form again onsite site because "it was too old". The carbon form had the exact same Infomation in it. ‍‍ After all of this I received a paper license with the permanent copy to be mailed. I have been licensed in 7 states and I haven't received a temporary license since the 70s. No excuse TN for the antiquated systems all around. Especially since the TN license fee is higher than almost every other state except NY. Given the rapid growth in the Nashville area, the TN DMV is a poor reflection on the State. RealID is no excuse to waste someone's time with such poor service. It seems a bit late to have hiring signs up now. Get it together. read more

Walk ins are treated better than people who waited for an appointment two months out. Customer service is severley lacking!

Waiting in this line (1/2017) was one of the worst experiences I have had to endure. 5 hours of sitting there with my wife and three small children. read more

Bring something to do, something to eat, and maybe a samurai sword to fall on if you run out of the above. The gal at the info desk here was very nice but there's not a good system of how to get "in line". So...just fyi, there are kiosks to get a "ticket" that put you in line. Thats when you need to break out what your "to do" items like the classic book you've always wanted to read, like Gone with the Wind. It might be goos to bring a snack, or perhaps a picnic basket...you decide. Again, the people are nice but they are just not equipped for the volume of customers. read more

For a Thursday it was unusually crowded and confusing where to check in at first, but the staff occasionally apologized for the wait and explained where people needed to be to get help. For the mass of people and some people complaining and frustrated I have to say the staff was extremely calm and patient with everyone. By the time I had been there about 30 minutes it was clear everyone was doing their best to help everyone as quickly as possible. They could use more staffing though with the real ID requirements. read more

My 16 year old nephew warned me this place was the worst. I hate to say, he was right. The the set-up and wait is horrible as a red of trying to do too many things in a small and chaotic space. This can't be good for anyone including the people who work here. The kicker is the instructions given by certain employees is not accurate or inconsistent and can make a very long wait even worse. This process is simply the worst! read more

I got to this DMV at 8am (30 mins. before they opened). I went to change my drivers license from NC to TN. When I arrived, there was already a line. I was approx. 15th in line / in the door when the DMV opened at 8:30am. I still had to wait 3 hours. Ridiculous. read more

After only living in TN for five days, I've had the not so much pleasure of having 3 DLs! After waiting 2 hours, the clerk finally helps me and sends me off with my temporary DL, while the new physical card later to arrive the mail. After later inspection, my last name was completely wrong on the temp card. I return shortly after to the same clerk to clear the problem. She is completely rude and ignores me trying to discuss the problem. After issuing me a second license, I notice she signed me up as an organ donor. I told her that was not something I wanted and she gets upset at me because I won't sign off on receiving that license and has to do the process again. Finally, after the third time, completely ignoring me and giving me angered stares, she issues my third license. Of all my years of work, being in government offices, just about any other possible experience, I've never been treated so poorly by an employee. Horrible experience. There needs to be better training and communication at this location. Please advise to stay far away from this DMV location! read more

When you ask to work the kiosk to get a ticket just for losing your license. They are rude. They must hate their job. I would recommend online but I need my DL ASAP. read more

This is where I got my driver's license. Its a pain that to transfer an out of state driver's license and out of state car registration, you have to go to two separate places. The line was pretty long, but at least they have a service that will text you your number in line so you don't have to wait there. FYI, there is a Starbucks around the corner. Also, they did not print my driver's license on the spot. I got a paper version and have to wait for the official, plastic driver's license in the mail. I feel there are things about this process that could be improved but its alright. read more

Williamson County Driving Center - Departments of Motor Vehicles Near Me - Franklin, Tennessee

Terrible customer service at this location. There are not enough clerks to assist residents with drivers license services. In addition, those assisting seem stressed and ill prepared to work in a fast paced environment or with the public. Clerks were shouting out rapid demands for necessary documents and became agitated when asked to clarify requirements or processes. One clerk walked off and left someone standing with no help because they were too frustrated to do their job. Completely unacceptable way for public employees to behave. Unprofessional and ineffective. This office needs better leadership and training. Long unnecessary waits. Rather than rushing and making mistakes that take longer to resolve it's better to take their time and do it right the first time. read more

the old white man in front disk Races always have some excuses even when we have all the documents , we arrived 12 pm he said it's 3 hours waiting we got came back another day we said it's ok we can wait he said we stop testing come back different day , read more