Washington State department of Licensing — Local services in Vancouver

My experience isn’t about one specific location but about the system as a whole. I used to live in Colorado, and before moving to Washington I bought a used car privately and properly titled it in Colorado under my name. When I arrived in Washington and tried to register it, I was told the purchase price of $6,000 was “too low” for a 2015 Camry and that I needed to track down the previous owner to sign a declaration — otherwise I’d be charged tax based on a dealer valuation of around $17,500, which meant roughly $2,000 in taxes. That’s one-third of what I paid for the car, and I had already paid sales tax in my home state. Meanwhile, KBB showed the car’s value between $5,800 and $8,900.

Of course, after two months, a move to another state, and the title already being in my name, it was impossible to find the seller again just to redo paperwork. I had no choice but to sell the car and buy another one.

You’d think the second time would go smoother — but no. I bought another car on Craigslist for about $2,000 under market value. I had a properly signed title, a bill of sale, and a declaration filled out by both sides. But apparently even that wasn’t enough. They simply refused to register it.

A friend told me to try different DMV offices, so I did. I went through five of them, and only the sixth office finally accepted the documents and completed my registration.

This whole system feels like a lottery — no consistent rules, no clear standards, just random luck depending on who you get...

Absolute WORST experience of my life with an office staff...if you can call 3 incompetent women a staff. Anyway, I was told by customer service that I could arrive between 8-9am without an appt and can be seen for a drivers license renewal. So, today I did just that. Arrived at 8:50. 5th person in line. WooHoo, I thought! This should be quick and easy. Then the avalanche of people happened and the line became 100 deep within 45 mins. Halfway through the parking lot! I've never seen such a thing. Needless to say, the 1hr and 25 min wait was all for nothing when 2 of the 3 incompetent women came outside at 10am on the dot and proceeded to tell everyone they needed to leave and make an appt. Many of us scanned the QR code on the sign to do so, only to be told there are no appointments available. What kind of scam are you running here Wonka?!...I mean Washington?! This place is a mess!!! The look on so many faces of disgust and anger was astounding. People were cursing and yelling, myself included. Much so that I was impressed with the workers bravery. How can they turn so many people away after waiting for so long?! HUGE TAKEAWAY- Make an appointment!! Despite what the sign says, walk ins are NOT welcome. And they offer nothing for your trouble aside from a snide "My Apologies!" You still have to give up a kidney or possibly first born just to have a valid ID. Come prepared! Prepared for battle if...

unfortunately there is nothing less than 1star, I went there for a change of ownership and I made a mistake by signing on the wrong spot and for that they wanted to give me the run around telling me it could not be done with it being notarized which is another day of losing work just to satisfy their hunger of hurting people, I knew it could be done because I was there IN person and I had my ID to prove who I am but yet they wanted me to do the run, so I went to another office and got it done with someone who knows what they are doing using a certificate of truth which can be printed in any office. I went back to the one in 136th ave and told her it was done and the way to do it and all what she cared about is what was the other office who done it for me just to hurt them if she can, ignoring the fact that she and her manager are there just to hurt people and to do less for more money. just don't go there and use any other offices until they hire someone who knows what they are doing or at least not aiming...