Even With An Appointment, DMV Visit Demands Patience

Bring a book. Or maybe knitting.

Because a visit to the Department of Motor Vehicles will almost certainly require some sitting.

My son and I had to get new licenses.

So I set an appointment at the Hayward office, which was most convenient.

We entered at 9:15 am and stood on a short line that moved quickly.

The line of walk-in customers stretched out the door. Moral: get an appointment. (Click here for the DMV appointment page.)

But I goofed. Or was unlucky.

I had to fill out a form and come back for a waiting slip.

As I later discovered, the clerk who gave me the waiting slip took my number from the walk-in queue rather than the appointment queue. 

I only realized this after I started talking with a couple who had an appointment later than mine, but who got served ahead of me.

So I went back and got a different number on the appointment queue.

That did the trick. I was out 10 minutes later.

All in all, it was a 75 minute experience from the time I walked through the door until I left. I think the goof cost me 20 minutes.

Is that good or bad?

I don't know.

But since I don't knit I I'll bring a book if I ever have to visit DMV again.

How's your experience been with DMV?