DMV — Local services in City of Poughkeepsie

This DMV defies DMV stereotypes. It's organized efficiently to keep the flow of people moving as fast as possible. When you enter you're met with a queue machine and select from a menu what you need help with that day, so you're immediately put in line for the appropriate desk and given a number slip. Yes, sometimes this means someone who arrives after you will be served before you if they're there for a different reason, but this is because everything is departmentalized (getting angry over it would be like getting angry that someone at the seafood counter at your local grocery store is being helped before you even though you're in line at the much busier deli counter). The desks are clearly numbered so when it's your turn you can easily figure out where to go and there's electronic signage that shows which numbers are currently being served, so you can monitor it as your number gets closer to being called.

I've ALWAYS had pleasant experiences with the employees here, even on super busy days when I'm sure their stress levels are high. They're consistently friendly and helpful. Be respectful towards them and recognize that stuff like busy days, long wait times, technological hiccups, you not having the correct form or information, etc. isn't their fault and you shouldn't take it out on them. Come prepared, including with a respectful attitude, and it's doubtful that you'll have a negative interaction. If you come at peak times, such as when people are typically on lunch and trying to fit in errands or on weekends, you need to accept that the wait time might be long. Put on your big boy/girl pants...

I wish I could give 0 stars! I can't even begin to tell you how rude the woman was, who helped my son register his new car! I wish we got her name. She worked at Station 6 on 5/19/22 at 11:15 AM. Curly, dirty blonde hair with glasses. NASTY A* attitude! No hello, no smile, didn't even look up. Just grabbed the paperwork and started typing. She suddenly got all frazzled and pied off and told us the Lien release given to us by the bank wasn't valid bc it wasn't on letterhead,however, all the other documents and title attached clearly showed everything was done by the bank. So, she very rudely said, "you can't get this car today until you get the right lien release form!" We had to leave and go back to the bank. The bank was confused and informed us that the Lien release form given to us was a standard form used by them and not once has anyone, EVER had a problem with it at any DMV. They were floored! This caused a delay in picking up the new car as the dealer (very small place and the owner runs it) thought we were coming right back from the DMV but because we had to waste time running back to the bank (which wasn't close by) then back to DMV, he had somewhere to be at that time so he wasn't there. This bich made my son's 1st car buying experience miserable! Aside of her...from past experience, most of the workers there are miserable as well but, she took the cake. The woman at the front desk who checks people in is so sweet though....

Update 2: plates finally arrived the following week. Good news the previous system has been revised, you can now go in person for plates or make an appointment. It took too long for this change but thankfully it appears to be back to a reasonable turn around time.

Update: After trying for over 40 minutes (pressing 0 over and over since they don't put you on hold in the order you called, you have to keep trying) I finally got through. The plates went out on Monday, today is Friday it's been 5 days to mail them 8 miles? We'll see if/when they actually arrive.

I dropped off my paperwork to register a vehicle I purchased in Oct 2020 (via their dropbox as per instructed). It's March 2021 and still haven't received my plates. It's nearly impossible to reach anyone. When I finally got through (in Feb) I was told they didn't have my paperwork (the original bill of sale, original title to the vehicle and my necessary DMV paperwork), after expressing my dissatisfaction they miraculously appeared. They said they called and left numerous messages (they had my home, cell and email, I received nothing) and needed a check to mail the plates. I dropped the check off first thing the next morning. That was over a week ago. I can't reach anyone and still don't have plates for my vehicle. How our local government is allowed to operate in this manner...