Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles — Local services in Norfolk

I have been trying to get my license and registration switched to VA from out of state for about 2 weeks with a name change from marriage. I've been back and forth here several times because I was given incorrect information in regards to what documents I needed/ could use to prove proof of residency. I was told "a piece of mail", then 2 pieces, then told that I couldn't use anything from ups. After I collected the documents that I ACTUALLY COULD use, I was only able to get my registration. And for some reason, I couldn't get my husbands name on the registration. I asked and was told "because you're making payments on it"... I don't understand what that means, as if I'm separately paying for the car (which is in both of our names). Anyway, I needed a marriage license in order to get my new drivers license, which I was told I could obtain here. After I paid $14 for the marriage license to be printed (which the clerk said there should be no issue, but in case there was, I would receive a refund by check) the clerk could not find my name in the system. She even had another clerk come to assist her. Needless to say, they told me that there was an issue with my first name in the system, but they weren't sure why because according to my marriage license (which i had a copy of) everything was correct. Still, they could not find me in the system. I then asked the clerk about my refund. She again told me it would come by check in the mail because "its not like I can pay you back here". So she gave me vital records number in Richmond in order to figure out what the issue is with my name in the system. So I called them this morning and they pulled up my document instantly. They said they don't understand what issue the DMV had. My paperwork was there and that they should not have had any problems. I call the DMV this morning and spoke to the call center rep. He told me that the local DMV office I went to should be able to pull up the document before I pay another $14. He then transferred me to the office. I spoke to the rep here and she told me no, that they would need to collect another $14 before they even check. That's fine with me, but she spoke to me as if the error was on my end when I filed the application as if I filled it out incorrectly. I told her no, the DMV clerk's couldn't figure out what the issue was. Also, the vital heath record office used the EXACT SAME application and found it instantly. She proceeded to tell me that my original application at the DMV said a possible match, which meant there was something on file, but that the clerks only searched for what was on the paper. I asked if they used my maiden name because that is what my marriage license is under. She could not give me that information. So, I asked if I would at least get the first $14 back that I spent before if I were to go ahead and pay the fee again for the new search that they would need to do. She said its non refundable. I told her that's not what I was told before. She then asked the clerk who I had spoken to previously and she told her that she never said that to me. -__- Really? Some things I understand is beyond their control if they can't find it in the system, but clearly if the office of vital records used the EXACT SAME application, then the error was on the DMV's end. Also, don't tell people something that isn't true. Don't emphasize you'll have to wait for the check in the mail if its not even a thing, and then say that I wasn't told that. So I guess I'm a liar now. I don't have time for the nonsense. I'll be leaving work early to drive the HOUR AND A HALF to Richmond to get the license. So much for convenience of getting records...

TV portrays the DMV as an experience akin in pain to gnawing one's own leg off after getting it caught in a rusty bear trap. I mentioned to my work colleagues that we (wife and I) were going to the DMV to get our VA drivers' licenses, and each one groaned and added to the popularly negative opinion about the experience we were about to undergo. But it can't be that bad, can it? We arrived at the DMV at 12:30, and got in line. The line started just inside the door, snaking along first one wall and then the next before terminating at a single service counter. We edged our way along in line, moving with the speed and enthusiasm of a queue for unnecessary root canals. Thirty minutes later, we made it to the counter. Thankfully we were prepared, and had all the required documents - current DLs, passports, visas, military orders, lease, additional mail sent to new address, blood chemistry analysis and horoscope reading. After a cursory review of our docs, we were given a ticket and told to take a seat and wait for our number to be called. Now, the chairs at the DMV are kinda neat - they are hard plastic, but the backs are attached to the seats by a simple mechanism that allows the backs to tilt to a more comfortable angle. This is an important feature, and one that we enjoyed while we waited for our number to be called. The DMV uses an unusual system where people get numbered tickets preceded by different letters. We saw Bs, Ts, Ps, Vs and Ks in addition to the Ds that we were trying to track. They would call K117, then V102, then B44, then maybe a couple Ps before getting back to the Ks, and every once in a while a D would be called. They don't run a first come first served queue system; according to the ticket the system they employ matches people's needs to agents best suited to meet them, which results in greater customer satisfaction. Not sure where the satisfaction that I was supposed to experience was hiding, but after the 1h 34 min wait, we were pretty excited to approach the counter and be served. The agent asked us for all of our documentation, and began entering the information into the system. I've never actually watched someone program the Apollo lunar lander by hand before, but if I had it would probably have been more interesting and of a shorter duration. Then we were presented with the verification paperwork. Upon review, it appeared that we were only going to be given licenses for one year. Well, that was no good - I didn't want to go through this experience again in another year! So, back to the system where, it appeared, the agent had to re-enter everything again. With the same result. The supervisor was engaged at that point, and after a few minutes of fussing the supervisor pointed out the one field that had been misentered. We still don't get DLs issued for the full term like normal Virginians, but at least they are valid until we depart in three years. As we were handed back our documents for now the 4th time today, I looked at my watch. It was 4:30, four hours after we had arrived. Almost closing time for the DMV. I'm so glad we didn't hear the words, "you'll have to come back tomorrow." We go back in a week to deal with our vehicles' registrations. To be fair, our situation was not a standard one, and the staff were both friendly and polite. It just took so very long! Still, the DMV beat AT&T, where it took me 8 hours to get a cell phone, but that's...

Between moving with the Navy and 10 years as a travel nurse I have had multiple experiences with many DMV’s across the country. Last Friday I tried for the 3rd time in as many months to get an appointment at the DMV closest to my home. After fighting my way through the website I was able to make an appointment for later that same afternoon. A MIRACLE!! (Be careful what you wish for) I got to the DMV @ 1:45 for a 2:15PM appointment, accessed the QR CODE to check in then waited. At 2:15 the time of the appointment,I got a text saying I needed to get in line for the information desk.( While I was waiting for the text, 12 people-at least-had come in and were lined up ahead of me now. When I reached the desk (10minuets later) the person there looked over my paperwork and gave me a number-MORE WAITING! When I got to the window I gave all my paperwork to the clerk who gave most of it back to me. (I read the instructions on the website and knew she would indeed need all the supporting documents I had brought with me) AFTER LOOKING THROUGH WHAT SHE HAD KEPT SHE SAID SHE COULD’T PROCESS MY LICENSE CHANGE BECAUSE I DIDN’T HAVE SUPPORTING PAPERWORK. TADA! I GAVE IT BACK. She processed the paperwork and spent the next few minutes curtly issuing what could only be described as commands. Finally the ordeal was over 1hour and 45 minutes later. As I said I have gotten driver’s licenses everywhere from New York to California, most recently in Maryland where the whole process took 30 minutes My appointment time there was exactly when I was seen. Virginia should send some people up there to learn how to do it well PS even the rest room was dirty, no soap or way to dry wet hands. Too bad you can’t give a ZERO. All in all a...