Atlanta area - Dept of Driver Services (Marietta, Kennesaw: transfer, DMV)

[LM0121]

I've just moved to Atlanta from out-of-state and need to get a GA driver's license. I've filled out the necessary paperwork online, etc, and now need to go in-person to the Dept of Driver Services (must go in person for an out-of-state license transfer).

The DDS only does appointments for things like road tests, not for out of state license transfers. I'm looking to go to the one in Marietta, or the next one closest to me is in downtown Atlanta but I'd probably like to avoid that one.

For walk-ins to the Marietta office, should I expect a long wait? Should I try to go first thing in the morning, or mid-morning, etc? Should I expect an hour-plus wait, or will it be more reasonable?

Also the DDS website for the Marietta office has the following notice, but the Dallas office is over 45 mins from where I live:
ALERT: Due to the overwhelming service load, for faster service, please visit our Dallas location instead.

[ShenardL]

I don't know about Marietta, but I went to the one in Norcross in early 2020. Although it was busy and full of people, I only waited maybe 5 minutes. You go in, get a number from the kiosk, and they called my number 5 minutes after I sat down.

[bu2]

Originally Posted by LM0121

I've just moved to Atlanta from out-of-state and need to get a GA driver's license. I've filled out the necessary paperwork online, etc, and now need to go in-person to the Dept of Driver Services (must go in person for an out-of-state license transfer).

The DDS only does appointments for things like road tests, not for out of state license transfers. I'm looking to go to the one in Marietta, or the next one closest to me is in downtown Atlanta but I'd probably like to avoid that one.

For walk-ins to the Marietta office, should I expect a long wait? Should I try to go first thing in the morning, or mid-morning, etc? Should I expect an hour-plus wait, or will it be more reasonable?

Also the DDS website for the Marietta office has the following notice, but the Dallas office is over 45 mins from where I live:
ALERT: Due to the overwhelming service load, for faster service, please visit our Dallas location instead.

Downtown often has VERY long waits. Go early in the morning. It sometimes really backs up in the afternoons.

[bu2]

I think last time I went downtown I waited about 2.5 hours.

[Prickly Pear]

Originally Posted by LM0121

I've just moved to Atlanta from out-of-state and need to get a GA driver's license. I've filled out the necessary paperwork online, etc, and now need to go in-person to the Dept of Driver Services (must go in person for an out-of-state license transfer).

The DDS only does appointments for things like road tests, not for out of state license transfers. I'm looking to go to the one in Marietta, or the next one closest to me is in downtown Atlanta but I'd probably like to avoid that one.

For walk-ins to the Marietta office, should I expect a long wait? Should I try to go first thing in the morning, or mid-morning, etc? Should I expect an hour-plus wait, or will it be more reasonable?

Also the DDS website for the Marietta office has the following notice, but the Dallas office is over 45 mins from where I live:
ALERT: Due to the overwhelming service load, for faster service, please visit our Dallas location instead.

I went to the Marietta one and I think I waited 15 minutes tops, I went at like 3 pm on a Tuesday. I should note that a big wave of people came in after me so I think I got lucky. Try going during working hours midweek (since people are more likely to take off M or F) that should help.

[Mattie]

I know you are trying to find a DMV close to home. but I'd rather spend 30 minutes driving than sitting in a hard chair waiting for my number to be called. We were in and out at Canton after making the drive from Milton. You might have some luck at Kennesaw.

[LM0121]

Thanks all, this is great feedback! I think I'll try my luck mid-week and if it seems crazy long, I'll make the drive out further. Fingers crossed.

[Born 2 Roll]

Lol...

Back when the Georgia Department of Driver Services was having extreme problems with very long wait times in the mid-2000’s, I would drive to DDS locations in outlying areas like Cedartown and Carrollton to avoid the very long lines in the most populated closer-in metro Atlanta counties.

[LM0121]

Thought I'd give an update in case useful for anyone else.

I went this morning (Thurs morning) at 9/9:15 am to the Marietta DDS office, and I had less than a 5 min wait. Perhaps I was lucky, but the DDS office was very, very empty.

The DDS woman who helped me with my license said avoid Tuesdays and Saturdays, those are the worst. They are closed on Mondays (and Sundays obviously).