Getting new plates and drivers license up moving to TN (Knoxville: car insurance, DMV)

[LSLBlues]

We went to get our license/vehicle registration done yesterday. The West Knoxville license branch is a total zoo. We had to go twice because we were missing a document the first time. Both times over 30 people waiting and only 3 people working - one was checking new people so really only 2 processing paperwork. When we went the second time we waited almost 1.5 hours and the wait was 3 hours when we left. They have 8 or 10 counters, but only 2 employees working.

The employees were friendly and the cost is what others have been saying. Just make sure you leave yourself a big chunk of time and bring a good book. The checkin person said the only time there isn't a big wait is if you get there right when it opens.

Car registration/plates had no wait. No line. Walked in, got helped right away, super friendly people. $72 is what it cost us.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by LSLBlues

We went to get our license/vehicle registration done yesterday. The West Knoxville license branch is a total zoo. We had to go twice because we were missing a document the first time. Both times over 30 people waiting and only 3 people working - one was checking new people so really only 2 processing paperwork. When we went the second time we waited almost 1.5 hours and the wait was 3 hours when we left. They have 8 or 10 counters, but only 2 employees working.

The employees were friendly and the cost is what others have been saying. Just make sure you leave yourself a big chunk of time and bring a good book. The checkin person said the only time there isn't a big wait is if you get there right when it opens.

Car registration/plates had no wait. No line. Walked in, got helped right away, super friendly people. $72 is what it cost us.

I went to get my license in Halls. No waiting.

[ColdRain]

Originally Posted by LSLBlues

We went to get our license/vehicle registration done yesterday. The West Knoxville license branch is a total zoo. We had to go twice because we were missing a document the first time. Both times over 30 people waiting and only 3 people working - one was checking new people so really only 2 processing paperwork. When we went the second time we waited almost 1.5 hours and the wait was 3 hours when we left. They have 8 or 10 counters, but only 2 employees working.

The employees were friendly and the cost is what others have been saying. Just make sure you leave yourself a big chunk of time and bring a good book. The checkin person said the only time there isn't a big wait is if you get there right when it opens.

Car registration/plates had no wait. No line. Walked in, got helped right away, super friendly people. $72 is what it cost us.

is this Cedar Bluff area office?

[trinjoy]

Does Maryville have a wheel tax? What is uninsured insurance?

[LSLBlues]

Originally Posted by ColdRain

is this Cedar Bluff area office?

Its the West Knoxville location at 430 Montbrook lane.

[DubbleT]

Originally Posted by trinjoy

What is uninsured insurance?

In spite of TN law requiring all motorist to carry liability insurance there are still a lot of uninsured drivers on the streets.
'Uninsured' insurance covers you if you get hit by some yahoo driving around illegally without insurance.
Explanation here:
Uninsured Motorist Coverage - What is it? - What Should You Know About Auto Insurance - Epinions.com

[DaveC20853]

Originally Posted by LSLBlues

The West Knoxville license branch is a total zoo. What DMV office in any state isn't?

The employees were friendly. That is the real beauty of east Tenn.


The checkin person said the only time there isn't a big wait is if you get there right when it opens. I think that is the rule anywhere. Last time I went to DMV in Md. there were 60+ in line before they opened. Probably half did not speak english and many had no translator and had no idea of what paper work was required. It only gets worse as the day goes on.

I guess it's all a matter of what you're used to.

[LSLBlues]

The last two states I got licenses in were Hawaii and Colorado. Hawaii was the most pleasant DMV experience I've ever had. No wait. Less than 5 minutes and I was done. Colorado took about 10 minutes because I had to wait for 5. So to answer your question - at least Colorado Springs and Kaneohe DMV branches aren't zoos!

They just needed more people working. There were counters for 6-8 more employees to be working there. Also it seemed like a very inefficient process. It took the employee almost 10 minutes to process my license request.

[Bones]

Originally Posted by LSLBlues

The last two states I got licenses in were Hawaii and Colorado. Hawaii was the most pleasant DMV experience I've ever had. No wait. Less than 5 minutes and I was done. Colorado took about 10 minutes because I had to wait for 5. So to answer your question - at least Colorado Springs and Kaneohe DMV branches aren't zoos!

They just needed more people working. There were counters for 6-8 more employees to be working there. Also it seemed like a very inefficient process. It took the employee almost 10 minutes to process my license request.

We do things slower in the south.....we are more relaxed in life....

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by Bones

We do things slower in the south.....we are more relaxed in life....

Isn't that the truth! I moved here because people take the time to talk to you, take their time going about things. Folks that always have a rush, rush attitude generally don't do that well here unless they can acclimate. If you are driven crazy by the cashier chatting with everyone in line then East Tennessee is not going to be your place.

And once again, there are plenty of places in this state where it is NOT a zoo. There is a heavy concentration of people in West Knoxville and a lot of transplants. That's probably why it is so busy. There are other places around here that you can go to where there isn't a line at all.