City of Portland, Maine — Local services in Portland

I was unable to register my car online because the Veteran plates have changed in the past year. I recently moved to Portland, and was shocked to walk in and see a line of over 30 people ahead of me waiting. We weren’t exactly sure what we needed to register because some things have changed, and when you try to call to ask questions you are just put through the a voicemail. So basically you have to wait in line for an hour and half to even TALK to a person. What really disgusted me was that not all of the employees were helping. Only two were registering. Others were on their phones, eating lunch or just standing around pretending to be doing something. Must be nice to be able to take a lunch when you’ve got a line of customers out the door. Most would get fired for that. After waiting almost two hours, we walk up and the clerk didn’t even ask us what we needed. She was extremely rude. We are then told that we cannot register the car because my parents name was on the registration, even though I own the car. She did not give us any options. We asked why they didn’t answer our phone calls, and she pointed to the line. We then asked why she just took a lunch then if they were so busy, which turned into a yelling match. I hope we ruined her day. After calling the DMV, I was told all that had to be done was a new vehicle registration-which could have been done right then and there at the Town Hall. But instead, your representative didn’t tell us that and we waited for nothing. To register the car THAT I OWN. I will be registering my car in another town just to avoid this joke of an office, which is what we did, with no issue whatsoever. I’m literally paying for a mailbox elsewhere just to NOT have to visit this incompetent office. Another waste of my tax dollars to the city of Portland. I hope these folks are making minimum wage, cause that’s all...

Would leave zero stars if I could. The parking ticket division is exceptionally poor and apathetic. Got a ticket for parking in a no parking zone with extremely unclear signage to the point that cars park in this area every single day. Tried to appeal the ticket by explaining the signage is unclear and the neighborhood as a whole is uncertain of the sign considering people park in the area every single day ( I know this because I can literally see the area from my apartment). The "operator" responded that the signage is perfectly clear. It's certainly not clear because again, people park in this area every single day. This city is just too cheap to put down some simple yellow curb paint and they'd rather just continue collecting money from people during one of the worst economic crises...

Went to register two cars and the staff were so helpful and pleasant. They even had good music playing a recommended a place to get ice cream. I was missing a document and they allowed me to make a phone call and get needed paperwork without getting back in the line. Everything else was clearly explained online so I was able to bring the right papers and speed things along. Great system and terrific customer service. I have never dealt with such friendly registry people in the other states I...