Pennsylvania Department of Transportation - Photo License Center, Norristown — Local services in Norristown

Quite shocking to experience how ineffective PennDot was run today out of the Norristown location. I wanted a Real ID as my license is expiring, so I went in early am and got in a pre-approved line to ensure I had the proper documents, then a manager said the USA Social Security System is down and PennDot cannot process any Real ID's going forward as they need access to SS# info from the USA government. PennDot would, however approve our documents for a Real ID when your Real ID wait number comes up. So I waited for my Real ID number to come to at least get my documents approved as they were all in order. My number eventually came up, but I had a customer service rep who was uncaring and rude about anything that was happening at the time and could not provide or wanted to provide any details on what I should do going forward. A PennDot manager told the people waiting they would approve our Real ID documents in order to speed up the process should we wait around for the SS Administration to come back on line.

There was one Real ID contact person at the front door entrance, who I engaged again on what I should do and he went back to someone to ask what Real ID customers should do going forward. He came back and said I needed to come back and wait in line again, or go online to finish my Real ID. The online path seamed fine as I thought my documents were now approved by two people - supposedly. The approval of my documents was not accurate at all as I called PennDot's statewide call center and they told me I was not pre-approved for anything and that I would have to start over again. To add icing to PennDot's ineffectiveness at Norristown, the PennDot statewide Call Center indicated they were not aware of any problems with the SS Administration as no one had indicated a problem. When I relayed the instructions to the PennDot Call Center person of what transpired at Norristown, she indicated that I could not get my Real ID online as no documents were pre-approved and she indicated that I would need to go back in with all my documents. Basically I had to start over again.

I and many others have experienced rudeness and apathy at this location over the years, so this was not unexpected. What was most disappointing was the lack of information and incorrect information on what I can do to get my Real ID. Given the low ratings of this PennDot location under Google, it would be ideal if someone from PA legislative bodies go in and begin work to improve PennDot's problems statewide, which may take awhile. While the PA government is out promoting positive changes at PennDot, they still have a lot of work ahead of them. When PA state agencies can understand that all PA residents time is valuable then you will start to see better reviews. If I could give a negative number rating I would as no one seamed to care...

I was a Texas resident earlier and was transferring my License expired on 8th Feb 2018 and i was at this center on 9th Feb 2018. I am not sure been in the same country for few years now do some improvements that is done well in other states incorporated here:- PROs:- Open on Saturdays and they are pretty strict on rules, like i was send back because they ensure that you get a utility, address proof/bank statement only by MAIL/POST, if its a document provided by Bank as a print out and endorsed by them, they wouldn't accept it. it might be CON for someone else but i appreciate their strict rules unless its only against specific people :). CONs:- i Online Appointment Q not available which saves a lot of time in Texas and gives you a chance of been their when its your turn, 2 advantages saves crowd for the DMV, saves time for bourgeois. ii Long wait times hence due to point 1. iii Payment only by check or Money order, if you dont have one dont even bother to be there, one of my friend was send back and he got the check the next time. Other states provide an option of Credit as well as Debit cards, i believe cash as well however i believe east coast states do not want to have the problems of Credit card denials but then why not Debit cards? technology issues? Low man power? Not sure! iv I was provided a different update online on phone saying that i have what i needed when i clearly mentioned what I have about the inability to get a bank statement however when i was at the DMV location i was told "Nope" this doesn't suffice. me and my friend(signing for me for the address) had to waster 1.5 hours on a weekend. Hope there is proper synchronization and authenticity of information provided.

Overall, I'm not unhappy with the location or rules as I know there are set of protocols they need to follow to ensure their jobs are saved too however the governance authorities should make required changes to make the facility smooth for the commoners.

Now im left without a license and CAR for a week until i get my Bank statement by MAIL/POST and go back. The week is going to be hell to travel by local transport with the SNOW around, hope some right authority reads my review. Happy to give a feedback which would help other...

The fact that you have to stand in a long line to get your documents checked before you are even allowed to enter the building is absolutely bonkers. I am disabled and I went expecting it to be like it was a year ago-you go in, get your number, sit down and wait, then when your number is called and you give them your number and documents. Easy-peasy. I had no idea that now there is this new process that requires 20+ minutes of standing in line (with half the people stuck outside in the cold because the line is so long), literally staring at a building full of empty chairs. By the time I got to the front of the line, I was literally shaking all over, only able to stand because I had my cane in one hand and was literally clinging to the wall with the other. A government agency creating such a completely unnecessary process that serves as a profound barrier to the 15% of the people they claim to serve who are disabled is shameful.

This process is also unfair to abled people. Some folks are going to carefully research what documents they need before going to the DMV and only show up with those documents in hand. Why should they have to stand in line for 20+ minutes behind the people who didn't bother looking up what is required? If there truly is an issue with people not knowing what documents they need, why not create an "opt-in" system, where if you are confident you have what you need, you take a number and go on in, and if you aren't, you can wait to have your documents checked in a designated area with chairs? (There absolutely is enough room next to the check-in desk for at least 20 chairs.) I truly hope the current unnecessary and discriminatory process will be retired soon.

Once I was able to get a number and go inside, everything was fine. The person at the counter was pleasant...