Which is the best and fastest MVD location! (Scottsdale, Cave Creek: neighborhood, school)

[DR2012]

I went to the one in Glendale off of 59th I think, I got there 20 minutes before it opened and while there was quite a line, but I got in before the majority of the morning crowd. I was given an app for a new DL to fill out while I waited. Once they herded us in, I was in an out with a new license, and a new plate, in under an hour from opening time. I spent under 90 minutes total waiting, went in on a Thursday. We also went for my husbands items on a Thursday at 3pm, we were out with both his new plate and license in about an hour and a half, too. Didn't think that was too terrible for a DMV.

[Skeksil]

I was so pleasantly surprised by the MVDs in the Phoenix area when I first moved here about 8-9 years ago. You get a ticket with a number? And you get to sit down?! No standing in line for multiple hours?!! I was shocked at how not-horrible it was. Really haven't had anything close to a bad experience at any of them, but the fastest that I remember was one out in the Goodyear area.

[LBTRS]

Originally Posted by Skeksil

I was so pleasantly surprised by the MVDs in the Phoenix area when I first moved here about 8-9 years ago. You get a ticket with a number? And you get to sit down?! No standing in line for multiple hours?!! I was shocked at how not-horrible it was. Really haven't had anything close to a bad experience at any of them, but the fastest that I remember was one out in the Goodyear area.

I am required to go to the MVD three times each year to renew my car registration on three vehicles (military stationed in Arizona) and go to the Avondale location as it is the closest and every time it is close to 2 hours. I'm assuming this is the location you're talking about in the "goodyear area" and if so I wouldn't drive from Cave Creek thinking it will be faster.

[lisa627]

Been there and done that! We had an apartment in NJ and when we had to transfer a title of a car to MD and had problems they were SOOOOO pleasant. But Maryland isn't much better. And there are like 50 windows but never more than like 5-7 open. EVER. I don't get it. Sigh.

So I'm thinking we will go get our licenses done and then head on over to a third party vendor for titling? We always did that in MD and it was much easier. Except on one horse trailer but that's another story! OMG the registration fees on horse trailers in AZ!!! Actually, the registration fees on every vehicle!! We need a mortgage just to register our cars here. Ha ha who KNEW something could be worse than both NJ and MD combined! Welcome to Arizona huh?

Oh well, here's hoping that I have the best winter of my life and that'll make up for it!

Originally Posted by johnp292

I agree, I've used the one in N Scottsdale a couple of times now for both a new license (moved to AZ 4 months ago) and registration and the wait hasn't been terrible and - in a totally new experience for me - the staff was friendly!

You haven't experienced slow and rude until you deal with the NJ DMV!

[lisa627]

Ha ha ha- YES it is a trick question! I guess they are a misery in every state!

Originally Posted by PHX-RE-Addict

Is this a trick question? They are all slow!!! But seriously I use the one in Chandler. Not as well known as the others and usually pretty quick.

[johnp292]

Originally Posted by lisa627

Been there and done that! We had an apartment in NJ and when we had to transfer a title of a car to MD and had problems they were SOOOOO pleasant. But Maryland isn't much better. And there are like 50 windows but never more than like 5-7 open. EVER. I don't get it. Sigh.

So I'm thinking we will go get our licenses done and then head on over to a third party vendor for titling? We always did that in MD and it was much easier. Except on one horse trailer but that's another story! OMG the registration fees on horse trailers in AZ!!! Actually, the registration fees on every vehicle!! We need a mortgage just to register our cars here. Ha ha who KNEW something could be worse than both NJ and MD combined! Welcome to Arizona huh?

Oh well, here's hoping that I have the best winter of my life and that'll make up for it!

I would definately go to N Scottsdale for the licenses. They are pretty fast with that. There's a third party office on Cave Creek Rd just south of the 101. I stopped there last week (couldn't do my transaction though, I forgot some paperwork like an idiot) and there was no one else there at about 4:15pm. They close at 5 and don't take checks.

[johnp292]

Originally Posted by lisa627

Actually, the registration fees on every vehicle!! We need a mortgage just to register our cars here. Ha ha who KNEW something could be worse than both NJ and MD combined! Welcome to Arizona huh?

Oh well, here's hoping that I have the best winter of my life and that'll make up for it!

Yes that was a shocker for us as well. Lucky us, we had bought 2 new cars just before moving to AZ. Over $800 to register them here.

We're hoping our first winter here will be great as well!

[LocoAZnative]

Just go to the closest one to you. No reason to spend an hour driving around the valley to save a few minutes.

[coolmib]

Flagstaff. Took only 2 min to get my driver license renewed.

[adriver]

Ive been to the one on 27th ave just north of 101, and for the most parts its pretty quick. No more than an hour to finish everything. Theres always a guy with a hotdog/drink cart out front, and thanks to the loudspeakers you dont have to be right inside. If they are packed theres usually not enough seats to sit down, and it starts to get a little rank in there. Not as nice as the other one..

Ive also been to the one in Scottsdale on Paradise ln. That one was definately the scottsdale version of the DMV; big open area, plenty of seats, nice AC, marble everywhere. Like the other one Ive been to, you go in, tell the person at the greeting desk what you are there for, and they give you a letter code with number. Ive seen the numbers arent completely based on when you get them or what you are doing, (not sure how they get to the next one), Then you wait. Both places were about 30-40 minute wait, then a helpful person at the counter.

If you werent getting licenses Id say just do it at one of the many 3rd party servicing centers; or maybe youd want to at least get the vehicle registration done there, but you will need to go to the MVD for the new licenses. To me both of those places have been good, but what (the employees have told me before several times) is;

It will NOT be quick;
The first couple and the last couple days of the month.
Monday and Friday are the busy days.
Also early morning and late afternoon are busy too,

The suggestion I got (if you EVER need to go to the DMV is)
Tues-Thurs (non end/beginning of the month) and try to go when everyone is ending there lunch break 2-2:30 (is supposedly the "dead time".)