When is the best time(Least crowded) to visit DMV?

25 comments

1. Lol

2. When it opens, or maybe 15 minutes before it opens.

3. When it open and on work days during work hours

4. Go to AAA if you can.

5. Check to see if there is a small town around you with one. That’s what my family always does.

6. Soon after opening, usually.

   Mondays and Fridays are usually the busiest.

   11 am – 2 pm will probably be packed with office workers trying to go during lunch.

   Good luck but you’re probably going to have to wait a while.

   You can also try calling the local office and asking when they are the least busy.

7. During a noreaster bad enough to make people want to stay home, but not bad enough to close it.

8. Exactly 9:47 AM every other Thursday, once you answer the Great Question and solve the Riddles Three

9. Indiana allows you to make appointments. But honestly I’ve never waited more than 15 minutes at any time.

   Now actually getting your request fulfilled correctly is a whole other thing.

10. The best time near me is always about a half hour before it opens. Any later and you’ll be waiting in increasingly long lines.

11. Never. It’s always terrible

12. Right as it opens. Also aim for weekdays during working hours.

13. Last year, during the summer here in Illinois, the wait times were around five hours no matter how early you got there. Pre-pandemic wait times were a half an hour.

    I hope I can put off any more DMV visits for a long time.

14. You could be the only person in there and still manage to be there half the day. I’m pretty sure it’s a requirement

15. Probably Tuesday or Wednesday. Last time I went to one was for the Real ID and I was in and out. Time before that I went on a Friday and found myself in a room full of people. All of us had the same idea, who would want to spend a Friday at the DMV?

16. Which DMV? This shit varies around a county, much less the whole country.

17. Some states have appointment systems. Use them.

18. One time I went at about 4:40 on a Friday. It wasn’t not crowded, but you’d better believe they got me through quickly. DMV employees want to start their weekend just like the rest of us.

19. If you don’t live in an area with very many people the DMV can be a pleasant experience. The last time I went to the DMV I was there for less than 5 minutes. And most of that was walking to the counter.

20. That depends *entirely* on the DMV in question. DMVs in small towns are usually fine any time, any day. DMVs in cities usually suck at any time, any day.

21. Whenever I’m not there apparently

22. When it comes to the DMV, you’d have better luck accepting that the worst case scenario will happen, that way you won’t be disappointed.

23. DMV has come a long way. Maybe 2 decades ago it was crowded but today, my local DMVs are quick and efficient. I don’t want more than 15 minutes to get help even on a weekend.

24. December – right after the election but before inauguration.

25. About 30 years ago.

    At my DMV the line starts forming at around 6:00-7:00 am, and they open at 8:30. If you get there after they open, you have to wait online at least 3 hours. If you get there after lunch, you’re not getting in.

    Also, you can make a reservation for my state’s DMV so you don’t have to wait in lines for hours.

    Google lists busy times for most places – not sure if that’s regional or how accurate it is, but I use it to avoid the busiest times anywhere.