Comment by kempbellt | Hacker News Reader

Comment by kempbellt | Hacker News Reader

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I wish I could agree, but after waiting in line for an hour just to be rudely dismissed in 5 seconds for not having the "right form", I feel like OP's perspective is pretty accurate. At least here - WA State, USA.

I literally got a, "This isn't the right form. Next" type response...

Unfortunately, glaring angrily in annoyance at the staff and not saying a word until they extended even an ounce of courtesy by getting the right form for me, was the only way to get through the bureaucratic BS in this situation.

A lot of DMV workers, for reasons beyond me, have a sort of "Oh, you forgot to dot one 'i' on this 300 page form. Go back to the drawing board, get in line again, and see me when you are done" type of attitude. Sure, they don't have the time to walk every single person through filling out forms, but a lot of times this lack of enthusiasm to help at all is pushed to an extreme.

The DMV here has a very strong "You need US more than we need you" attitude to it.

It's one of the reasons I've spent more time driving on expired licenses or with expired car registration than I would care to admit. "Oh, $50 fine? Eh.. Beats waiting in line for the DMV and hating my life for a couple days afterwards."

I have far more positive anecdotes here in WA State, USA. The last time I renewed my driver's license, it literally took me longer to walk the mile round trip from my office than the time I spent inside the DoL (Department of Licensing here in WA State, USA). We don't buy cars very often, but the last time we transferred title was annoying because we had to wait behind one or two others, but it was the usual print-print-stamp-stamp-have-a-nice-day ten minutes once at the desk.

OTOH, it probably depends greatly on the office one goes to.

Same here, WA DoL is quite pleasant, especially with the online appointment system.

The office makes a big difference. I've learned that if you don't get the service you want right away leave - there are other offices that might be better. Though it depends, in my city there is only one that is a reasonable distance away and they are middle of the road. I've tried to use some that are slow and hate you, but not far away was a nice one that was very fast and helpful. After a while locals learn where not to go.

I think everyone here agrees that American DMVs are awful. The point was that it's not necessary that government (or monopoly) services end up that way. As someone that has experienced California DMVs and the equivalent in Ontario, I can confirm the quality in Canada is much higher.

I think everyone here agrees that American DMVs are awful.

I don't, see my sibling reply. I'm perfect content with the WA state DMV and the service I receive. I'm a little peeved that they recently tack on 3% if you use a credit card, but I can understand why.

Indiana and North Carolina, OTOH, only contribute to the poor reputation of DMVs in the U. S. and can go suck a bag of dicks.

I feel like that proves the point of this comment thread, that DMVs don't need to be awful.

I also don't. I've never had a problem with service or wait times in one. Portland and Seattle, both have been fast, comfortable, and helpful.

I would not be surprised if DMV employees were measured and rewarded on their throughput, so punting people who have anything wrong is incentivized.

Or it's because they're underfunded and have tons of people to get through. You had an hour to ensure you had the right form and filled it out properly. If they get lax about things like that, people will be less careful and it will just waste more of everyone's time.

The Renton, WA DMV is lovely, albeit small. The Kent one is larger, but it's in Kent.

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