DMV tips & maps for finding short lines (use your next road trip to make this errand easier)
California’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) was expected to be affected by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s order to lay off part-time state workers. Naturally this may cause even longer lines at local DMVs. KTLA has video from an office in Glendale, and we have a tip for how to get around the long lines: You just might have to make a holiday out of it.
DMV Tip: The good news is that short DMV lines — and even DMVs with no wait at all — do exist. The trick is to go to an out-of-the-way DMV while you’re on your way to somewhere else, like a weekend getaway, business trip, or even as an extended Saturday drive.
Los Angeles Times staffer Clare Abreu says, “If you’re taking a trip to Joshua Tree or the Salton Sea, it’s totally worth it to renew your license at the DMV in 29 Palms. No line! They helped my friend 30 minutes early.”
Times’ Travel producer Andrew Nystrom nominates the Shafter and Coalinga DMVs as easy and intriguing detours off the I-5, between Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. If you’re headed north up Highway 395 toward the Owens Valley, Andrew recommends the friendly Bishop DMV.
How to find alternative California DMV offices:
Interactive map to find out-of-the way California DMVs.
Map of California DMV offices that are open on select Saturdays.
DMV office info and how to find out what office offers which services.
Vote: Take our poll or nominate your favorite road trip-worthy DMV.
Note that many individual DMV office pages within the DMV website also display real-time tickers with “Current Customer Wait Times” for both walk-ins and appointment holders, plus projected wait times for nearby offices — for example, the DMV currently reports at 41-minute wait at its main Fresno branch, but only an 11-minute wait at Fresno North.
Please share location details for your favorite DMV office or stories about how far you’ve gone out of your way to reduce the line and better your experience. Have you gone to the DMV on a road trip?
— Jen Leo, Los Angeles Times Travel Deal blogger
[Photo: Line at a downtown Los Angeles DMV today by Al Seib / Los Angeles Times]
20 Comments on “DMV tips & maps for finding short lines (use your next road trip to make this errand easier)”
Leave a Comment
If you are under 13 years of age you may read this blog, but you may not participate. Here's the full legal spiel.
Comments are moderated, and will not appear on this blog until the author has approved them.
All fields are required
Advertisement
SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG
Click the logo below to subscribe to news from this blog:
Or add this feed to your favorite RSS reader:
more
Or add this feed to your favorite RSS reader:
more
Advertisement
August 1st, 2008 at 2:15 pm
go to blythe….on the way to arizona……no lines…
August 1st, 2008 at 2:25 pm
I have been to the downtown LA one and have spend hours. When I stopped by the Santa Monica DVM to get a duplicate ID, it was less than 15 minutes, and the woman who helped me even called me “sweetie”. The Santa Monica DMV is on my way to work everyday, and there NEVER seems to be a long line or anything. Its a great discovery and relief from the downtown location
August 1st, 2008 at 3:05 pm
The best one is the Hollywood Branch on Cole. No wait with an appointment. Sometimes mid-afternoons its almost empty.
August 1st, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Any wealthy city–only those of LES wait in line at the DMV
August 1st, 2008 at 3:20 pm
I have never had a problem with the Van Nuys DMV. In fact, the longest I’ve waited is about 15 minutes. I try to go when they first open, or sometime in the morning.
August 1st, 2008 at 3:25 pm
One thing that the reporter did not clearly address in the article — does this also impact people who have an appointment? The folks interviewed seem to be folks who have business at the DMV on a regular basis. I have an appointment to renew my license, but have been nowhere near a DMV office for over a decade or so. This only makes things worse.
Yet another of many signs that our state’s budget process must be revamped from the ground up.
August 1st, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Seaside is the best.
August 1st, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Everyone seems to have a favorite DMV…even Martha Stewart isn’t exempt: http://blogs1.marthastewart.com/martha/2008/07/a-trip-to-the-d.html
August 1st, 2008 at 4:03 pm
That map link you gave also has current wait times for appointment and non-appointment. There’s another good map to point out, too. http://www.dmv.ca.gov/fo/offices/locator/locator.htm
August 1st, 2008 at 4:18 pm
…go to AAA!
August 1st, 2008 at 6:24 pm
The fastest and friendliest DMV is located in COMPTON CA. The wait is always under 20 min ,and you are greeted with a smile and a friendly attitude from the point of entry, to the clerks behind the counter. Even when its crowded they pull together and get the customers serviced and out in a timely manner.
August 1st, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Whatever you do do not go to the Victorville DMV. Expect to wait there even with appointment at least two hours! The place is so small you always are waiting outside, and in the summer it is very hot.
August 1st, 2008 at 6:40 pm
The Santa Ana DMV even though of the cuts the wait was still 20 min they have the best
August 1st, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Seaside, absolutely
August 1st, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Best DMV is the one located in Glendale.
August 4th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
The DMV is in Inglewood,ca.
August 4th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
I agree, join AAA. You can do almost everything there.
August 4th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Culver City is simply the best! They are always friendly and really care abiut their customers. Even in these hard times I have sen them help customers as if this crisis has never occured.
August 5th, 2008 at 7:35 am
Pasadena is by far the best in the county. Friendly and quick!
November 19th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Why in the world would you suggest the 29 Palms office? I live here and I have waited for up to three hours with quite an assortment of people. Not only does it service the worlds largest marine base, it is the only DMV in over an hours drive (that’s actually driving 65 miles per hour for over an hour, not 20 miles in LA). It is under staffed and it is not open on certain days, the reason I stumbled over this stupid suggestion. If you want an adventure, take the advise but make sure you like the desert because there isn’t much else here unless you want a tattoo and buzz cut.