Texas, Houston TX

The staff is very professional. A lot of crying can be avoided by doing your homework and reading the website (which can be confusing in some areas) about what you need to bring. Bring your forms filled out and get there before they open. Otherwise, bring a good book. Keep your emotions in check, listen carefully to what they tell you, and you shouldn't have any problems.

Edit: this was for the old DPS office on Hwy 3 near Ellington Field. Don’t know why the review address changed to Cypress area when the DPS office moved further up Hwy 3.

Well, I had to chime in my two cents. I had DREADED this day, going in to get a new license before mine expired, and required a new picture, prints, etc. While I am sure that many of these bad reviews have warrant, that was not my experience (early Wednesday morning). When you get there, you have to enter some information into a computer kiosk, telling the system why you are there, and then it spits out a number such as L4011, and then you get to wait. After about 5 minutes of waiting, I noticed they had clipboards that had forms on them for different things, and sure enough one of those forms was for a renewal. (just had to figure that out on my own I guess). I got halfway through the fairly simple form and my number was called. Nice lady that let me finish the form with her and then entered some info into her system. A quick vision check (not the standard DEFPOTEC 20/20 form, but rather numbers on a line from left to right, far vision only, looking into a machine). Then some thumbprints and a picture. Paid the $25 dollar fee however you like.cash, check, credit card. And I was out the door. Although I had printed out all the required docs, passport, SS card, electric bill, birth certificate, insurance policy's for all my cars, etc. She didn't ask to see a thing other than my old license, which I keep till it actually expires, and then my paper temporary takes over until I get the new one in the mail. I would still highly suggest you take all that documentation with you, as I suspect they have the discretion to ask for what they need or want. Total time not even 30 minutes, if that.

One more thing, there seems to be some sense that people are entitled to a drivers license, and the supposed "right" to drive their vehicles around. In truth, actually in law, this is not a "right, " but a privilege that needs to be earned and also maintained. Surely you have been driving around and witnessed other drivers that shouldn't be granted this privilege, so stop treating it like it's a "right" and others may follow suit, and in turn, drive with more courtesy and respect. How many human lives could we save by being nice when we drive?

Good luck to all.

Edit

Now on my second teenager driver both processed through this same office. My daughter did well on her drivers test driving part. Examiner was fair yet kept the scenario pretty serious. I liked this as I don’t want my kids to take this lightly.

Went in today to get my son’s driving permit. The people are serious about their job but also nice and work as efficient as they can. For what you might get at other dmv offices might not be as good of an experience. This one still takes some time but the people are nice, serious, and fair. Good job!