Fremont DMV — Attraction in Fremont

The summary at the the end of 2021.

From my previous experience described below, you will see how ridiculous this DMV office was. However, it is really changed, they have new employees and new processing systems. My last driver license renewal was efficient and smooth. I recommend this office now.

Also I am changing my rating from 1 star to 4. If, next time, it is still as good as today, it should have a 5 star rating.

The summery in 2020:

Since I'm a resident of Fremont, I have been this DMV office multiple times in recent years for car registration, boat registration, title transfer, driver license renewal, etc.

They have some decent employees. If I came here only once and helped by one of them, I may rate it with 4 or 5 stars. However, it is not hard to run into a rude or careless one.

Also, the wait time here is much longer than other DMV offices (no exaggeration, could be 8 hours).

A useful conclusion for you is: if possible, go to another DMV office, or your day is easily ruined by the waiting time or a rude employee.

-------------- per visit review ------------

On 7/27/2018, just to renew my driver license. Arrived at about 9 am. After 4 hours, got into the building and got a service number. About another 4 hours later, it was my turn. 8 hours wait overall (longest waiting time for my lifetime, including my experience in some 3rd world countries). Finally got a temporary license, and was told that the real one would be mailed to me in 2-4 weeks.

On 10/10/2018, the temporary licence was going to be expired, the real one had not arrived as promised. I went here again, and was told that the copy of one of my documents was lost and it was the reason why they did not issue my driver license. I asked why nobody notified me if some doc was missing. The answer was "I am telling you now". Well ... rudeness level is 9 out of 10; carelessness level is 9 out of 10.

It is hard to like the service here, but to be fair, they might not have enough employees, and it may have partially caused these unwanted things, e.g. very long waiting time or paperwork mistakes. Before it has been changed, if one has another option (e.g. go to a different DMV office or do it online), s/he should definitely use the alternative.

On 2019/7, I have to partially take back my words about they just lack employees, and have to add another data point that they do have VERY RUDE employees just like some other reviews described.

For my case today, I have two things to do 1. pick up a car license plate, and 2. figure out why I have not received my registration tag. After some wait, it was my turn at the front desk, and I was helped by a lady who looks in her 30s. I first got the ticket for the license plate, and I asked why I did not receive my registration tag. She misunderstood my question, and asked me to apply for it. I tried to clarify my question. She just interrupted me, and in a attitude like a master to her slaves, telling me, each person can only do 1 transaction, and I must stop asking questions and I must leave the front desk. What the hell? At the moment, I suddenly understood the feeling of some other reviewers about how rude the employees here could be.

On 12/23/2021, very surprisingly, everything has been improved. For my driver license renewal today, the total time I spent is about only 20 minutes.

The workflow has been changed. The initial line waiting time is less than 5 minutes. The system at the service window has been redesigned using touch screens to verify personal info and take payment, and much more efficient than before, and all the paperworks are done in 10 minutes.

I also do not see the very rude employee today; hopefully, she was fired. There are some new faces who are friendly, helpful...

I’m writing this review not against the whole staff or the office but against the examiner Mr. Sandeep Sunny (Indian by birth). My Class A driving test was commenced by him today on December 16. I was advised by friends not to continue if my examiner happens to be him. I was told that he tries to find any reason to fail people but I ignored all advices because of my confidence on skills and driving. My test went well and I was 150% sure that he was going to tell me that I passed the test but he told me that I made a critical mistake (ONE MISTAKE)when I was making a right turn at intersection to join a main road on red light. If you know the area it’s the first intersection when you’re driving back to DMV near the skill test area. In that intersection there’s a YIELD sign. I approached very slow and checked my left side and shoulder, there was no vehicle approaching and I moved wisely and safely. This man is telling me that you have to make a full stop because you’re a commercial driver. He was digging for a mistake but when he found none, he used this to fail me. This is very disappointing. I wish there was a second examiner to witness my driving exam.it’s heart breaking. I’m warning you ladies and gentlemen if you have test with Mr. Sandeep, you should better excuse yourself and make another appointment. He enjoys failing people. I wonder why they keep him on that position. APDATE. December 17, 2021 Ladies and Gentlemen I would like to tell you that I scheduled my test for today again at the Fremont DMV(thanks to Lucky my instructor) and I passed the road test. I had my test with a very decent lady who’s a Class A examiner Ms./Mrs. Ja Sraj.She was so professional and so encouraging that I almost felt that I was driving with some kind of therapist. Despite Mr. Sandeep’s intimidating appearance, hers is more like an officer or a manager. When she explained everything and my rights, it made me forgot that I had an issue on yesterday’s exam. Then everything went flawlessly and I passed the test.I give her five stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️and I am quiet sure that she is going to end up being the manager of the...

Two reasons: Misleading information provided by the field agent and unable to approach her for clarifications

Agent Name: Ms. Chopra

One month ago, I visited the DMV to get my California License. I had a valid license from Colorado. We checked and were sure that I only had to give the written test and would be getting the license in a few weeks. Ms. Chopra was serving my case and provided misleading information regarding the issuance process. Ms. Chopra said that since the words "Temporary only" (technically because of my visa status) were printed on the back of the license, I would have to take a behind-the-wheel test again. This process was not documented anywhere. My wife had the same experience with her. However, she was issued a license by another agent on the same day, and I was sure that it was not the correct process.

I asked her about it and said my wife got the license on the same day. Ms. Chopra checked with her manager and processed my application forward. She did not apologize or admit the gap in her understanding of the process which led to the confusion.

Another instance was when Ms. Chopra said that I should not apply for a Real ID and get the standard one as my work visa was expiring in 6 months. This would result in me paying the license fee ($39 + $30) twice . I showed her my I-797 extension which she did not accept. Further, she said that there would be issues as Real IDs take longer to issue; 3-4 months as the "Department of Homeland Security would be conducting the background check on me before proceeding". If this process exceeds my visa expiration 6 months later, I would be stuck in a state where I would have to visit the DMV multiple times. This information is totally made up and incorrect as confirmed by another DMV agent in the same office.

I was helped by Ms. Khadeesha later who fixed my application and was able to get it processed. I was affected by Ms. Chopra's lack of understanding of the process and her refusal to re-check it. My wife was affected by her service many months ago and there is no way to say how many people she misled with this information...