San Marcos DMV

Absolute BEST DMV experience I’ve ever had. In and out in 5 MINUTES for my license renewal. Do your app online and they’ll get you out ASAP. Super easy!

The employee’s are so nice here and GENUINELY help, without getting mad or being passive aggressive. 1000x better than the DMV in oceanside, It’s a bit of a drive but so worth it.

Two of the kindest women employees helped me today. The first one took the time to answer a question I had about whether or not I was in the right waiting line (no appointment). After asking me a couple of questions, she said "Wait right here. " A few moments later, she returned with a warm smile and handed me a slip of paper telling me to take it to Window 30.

The second woman employee patiently helped me get my fingerprint to register at the computer kiosk where I was about to take a test.

Both women are definitely an asset to the San Marcos DMV office. I'm sorry I didn't get their names. I do know that they helped me between 9: 55 a.m. And 10: 20 a.m.

Gratefully,
Patricia

I had to go as a passenger with an acquaintance of mine for the driving test.
And he got a very bad instructor
Very bad behavior from the beginning, I don't want to say it's racist but that's what he taught, and of course my friend supposedly failed the exam, even though he has a lot of experience
When driving a car, everything is very strange.

Best DMV. I got here at 9: 45 for an updated license and was out by 10: 00. My other visits here have been similarly quick and pleasant. I never make an appointment but always come early, before 10: 00. The longest I’ve ever spent is 40 minutes.

The building is large and open with lots of room to stand a bit away from everyone (or outdoors) if you need space. Folks working here have always been super helpful, competent, and friendly. It’s very strange having pleasant experiences at the DMV.

Worst DMV ever. The staff is horrible rude and racist. Made an appointment for my uncle to renew his ID and they told him everything was electronic now so they sent him to the computer station. He's not familiar with working computers so he needed help. They refused to help him saying if he didnt know how then to leave. I had to leave work and go help him with computer since clearly no one wanted too. After a couple minutes she comes over again and tells me what I'm doing here. I replied "helping him since you couldn't " her response was "oh" and left. I didn't get her name but she was heavy set white lady with glasses.

Driver testers intervened with the test even though the entire test was perfectly performed

Made appointment. Showed up to renew license and to get real ID. In and out 20 minutes. Staff were all courteous and helpful. Huge and clean space!

I know nobody will believe me, but this was a fantastic experience. I recently had to apply for a new driver's license, and I went in with the expectation of at least a few hours of waiting. You can imagine how pleasantly surprised I was when it only took me 25 minutes from the beginning to leaving.

I even had to get my picture retaken, and the woman assisting me was so amazing that we selected the best photo together. I've been to many DMVs in San Diego, but here in San Marcos, everyone was incredibly nice, helpful, and absolutely fantastic. I'm genuinely shocked that I'm writing such a glowing review about a DMV.

No one was mean, shouting, or made me feel unwanted there. What a fantastic DMV experience! Congratulations, San Marcos. You've set a high bar for DMV service excellence. Thank you!

Wicker than most dmv's I've been in. Unfortunately I here they are sitting down some dmv's which means this wait will go up here. But for right now about an hour wait if you go after work. If you go first thing in the morning easy day.

The lady at the front door was extremely rude! Absolutely no reason or excuse to treat people disrespectfully. Nice facility and the people at the windows were helpful and courteous! Get rid of the woman at the front or make her treat people respectfully

Driving tests are not correct and when I pointed out it to one of the older ladies here she almost turned into a Karen.

I'm disabled and they had me walk back n forth the distance of the building 3x because all their self check-in and check out computer were messing up.so they punish me. Thanks. They have people standing in lines to be told to stand in another line.too typical of DMVs.mass confusion.w irritable employees who don't want to be bothered. Cluster F.what we call this in the Marine Corps.

I was 15 and a half and I got a hardship license because my mom and dad didn't drive and I've been driving 6465 years never been in a wreck but I miss six questions and one of them was that I hold this when I turn the steering wheel I turn it the wrong way but irregardless I've never been in a wreck but I guess according to this test I don't know how to turn my car okay

Best DMV in all of San Diego! Make an appointment online or plan to wait. I made an appointment for a DL renewal (had to go in person because 10 years passed). I was in and out in 20 min. Customer service super helpful! You can tell they enjoy their jobs and want to help you. Most functions are digital/automated. Plenty of parking and plenty of staff to help. This location is huge! Nicely and neatly kept.

Never going back to the Oceanside DMV, the San Marcos DMV is way better. I live 5 minutes from Oceanside, and I'd rather drive the 20 minutes to the San Marcos location. It's absolutely worth it, only ever there for an hour at most.

I waited on line 45 minutes just to get yelled and disrespected by a rude employee on window 25 named Ivy, I had to call a supervisor to get mi process completed.

I am so pleased with the service I received at this DMV. It was so organized, everyone was friendly, and they knew what they were doing. Hopefully other locations are giving this type of service, and if they aren't, this location should be the one they model themselves after. Thanks so much San Marcos DMV!

update:

July 2023: Another perfect appointment with this DMV location. I was getting my Real ID and was in and out in 15 minutes. Everyone was friendly except the one middle age guy that sits at the start here line. He is a grouch (and he was the last time I was in too), but he was the only one that acted that way. Everyone else was friendly and helpful. They are really organized, I am still amazed at the great customer service.