Is the DMV in Your Town/County/State Run Efficiently

[jgoose71 0]

I've lived in Washington, California, Florida and south carolina. The DMV sucks no matter where I go. I've never had a wait of less than 1 hour and the person behind the desk has had the smug look of job security. Government is Government, red or blue.

By the way, since the Democratic party is becoming the party of socialists, can we switch colors?

"There is an art, it says, or, rather, a knack to flying. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss."
Life, the Universe, and Everything

[Rookie120 0]

Michigans DMV used to suck big time. I remember going around 9:30-10:00 and was lucky if I was out the door by 1! They have since updated the system to the computer age and things have improved greatly. Last time I was there it took me 15 min's and I was done.

If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck!

[kbordson 8]

So. Let me get this straight.

I said Missouri sucks.

You said something about being in a "Red state"

I point out it sucked in a "Blue state"

You then claim that .... well.... it's not "really" a blue state cuz it doesn't work for your argument.

Do I have that correct now?



My main point is that MY experience with the DMV has sucked. Regardless of it being in a red, blue, pink, plaid or black state.

You could also point out that being in a state with the letter "i" in it is the reason for the problem.
Or those states that have "M" or "W"'s

Lots of things to point fingers at and blame. And if it reinforces your belief that everything is sunshine and bunny rabbits and rainbows where you live cuz you get to be smarter and brighter and more wonderful being a Liberal..... go for it. Doesn't make it true.

[DanG 1]

Virginia DMV suckiness depends entirely on which one you go to. Rural ones are great, urban ones suck. They've all gotten much more tolerable in the 20 years I've been driving here. You can do just about everything online now, and even the urban centers seem to be better organized than they used to be.

And just because VA went for Obama last year certainly doesn't make it a blue state.

- Dan G

[kbordson 8]

well.... Virginia does have an "i" in it.

[masterrig 1]

Where I live, our DMV is the Sheriff's office, who is also the tax assessor collector. There's never a line and the lady behind the desk does a helluva job. Driver's licenses can be re-newed over the internet but, after so many years, you have to go in person. Vehicle registrations or trailer registrations can be done by mail.
You're usually offered a cup of coffee and you can visit for awhile and talk about the chances of rain, when you go in person. I'd have to say, it's run quite efficiently.


Chuck

[nerdgirl 0]

Okay, so some are complaining about the DMV; a sizable majority (71%) by the poll above, don’t seem to have encountered the same problems. Why is that?

We’re a federal system + DC: 51 different systems. There are bound to be differences in efficiency. The discussion needs more fidelity by State … & I suspect by rural versus urban.

How does efficiency (or lack thereof) compare to setting up or disconnecting cable service? Arranging cable repair?

Renewing or cancelling cell phone service?

McKinsey & Associates found that there are optimal (read: profitable) types of calls that it is beneficial to speed through automated calling to a real person, e.g., potential new customers That’s a business’ prerogative and, in today’s competitive world, should be a business goal. (Businesses exist to make money.) For example, see a beneficial (to the company and notionally to the customer) application by Nexaweb, a software/It company headquartered in Burlington MA.

The flip side of what Kinsey and Associates found was that there are other types of customer queries/complaints that from a business-perspective, it was most beneficial for customers to be put on hold as long as possible, because some percentage will give up. And more importantly, in the long run, for a whole host of reasons (ranging from lack of other viable options to apathy/laziness), the vast majority of customers who were temporarily miffed did not stop being customers, e.g., inertia wins.

Now, I’m sure that skydivers, being the intensely passionate and high-convictions sort that we are, are among that minority who do persevere every single time and who do change services (exercise consumer option). But even if we are, it’s a numbers game for which there is little benefit to the company to change for us (cuz we’re you’re a smaller percentage). In may, in fact, cost a company to do so, as there would be some commensurate loss of potential profitable new customers or current customers wanting new services. There’s nothing inherently normatively ‘good’ or ‘bad’ about that – that’s business.

So what does a DMV (or Secretary of State office, or whatever it’s called in your State) do? What’s driven some (71% of experiences) to be characterized as “run efficiently”? And 29% to not be?

It sounds like some have figured out that speeding simple renewals is easy and efficient … or that in some areas ‘with-a-cup-of-coffee-and-conversation’ is just fine. That sounds pretty nice, actually.
/Marg

Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters.
Tibetan Buddhist saying

[masterrig 1]

It is really nice. Just 'small town' America (probably the last vestiges of 'small town' America) at work!
I've lived in other states and I really can't recall ever, having a 'bad' experience at the DMV/Secretary of State's Office. Seems like, the driver's license pictures have improved! Maybe, I just got there at the right time!

[Amazon 7]

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So. Let me get this straight.

I said Missouri sucks.

You said something about being in a "Red state"

I point out it sucked in a "Blue state"

You then claim that .... well.... it's not "really" a blue state cuz it doesn't work for your argument.

Do I have that correct now?



My main point is that MY experience with the DMV has sucked. Regardless of it being in a red, blue, pink, plaid or black state.

You could also point out that being in a state with the letter "i" in it is the reason for the problem.
Or those states that have "M" or "W"'s

Lots of things to point fingers at and blame. And if it reinforces your belief that everything is sunshine and bunny rabbits and rainbows where you live cuz you get to be smarter and brighter and more wonderful being a Liberal..... go for it. Doesn't make it true.

I just always get a kick about those of you who live in JesusLand.. when all you can do is complain about your government... yet you continue to elect the same HACKS to office over and over...

It must be some deranged form of conservative masochism to keep doing the same things over and over.. and expecting a different outcome.


You are talking about state systems..as opposed to federal systems.... its just another back door conservative comparison of"government" handling of services and their fear of what they see now.. and what the scary black man is going to CHANGE in their lives......and the bottom line is as always on here... comparing watermelons to grapes.

[Remster 30]

Well, I still have a basic issue with people saying that the DMV is inefficient because they have to wait a long time to get serve.

That's not being inefficient. You need to look at the metric measuring the number of people served per hour or day for each employee to have an idea of efficiency, and than compare that to other customer service businesses.

Remster

[Amazon 7]

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Well, I still have a basic issue with people saying that the DMV is inefficient because they have to wait a long time to get serve.

That's not being inefficient. You need to look at the metric measuring the number of people served per hour or day for each employee to have an idea of efficiency, and than compare that to other customer service businesses.

I would consider that a step up if that were done.

Personally I go to a small suburban DMV office ... rather than going to a large urban DMV in Seattle or Everett. Less people there trying to get all of their state mandated documentation.

I also just renewed my Passport with a new book and one of the new Passport cards. I went into the local post office... filled out the paperwork... got a new picture taken right there... VOILA..... 2 weeks later my new Passport card and book show up in the mail.

I had heard all these horror stories about months and months.... I was pleasantly surprised by the efficiency of my government.

[Coreece 190]

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I think there are a lot of very interesting questions in here:

-- why does the DMV (or whatever it's called in your State) still have a bad reputation?

When I first went to the California DMV (Santa Clarita) I was expecting the worse because of it's bad reputation and the movie "License to Drive."

I was however very pleased with their alphanumeric "pick a number system" and was out of there in no time.

I can't comment on Urban DMV's but the DMV in Palmdale was efficient too....(interestiong place, btw....)

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assuming the DMV was inefficient (we've not put forth any metrics), why has it changed?
(In Michigan, as I understand, a lot of the changes were enacted after the guy who had been Secretary of State finally retired after being there for 20+(?) years).

Michigan's Secretery of State offices seem to have been run efficiently for the past ten years, and I think it's maily related to more efficient computer technology and electronic records....I have also noticed a significant decrease in the number of people at the Secretery of State, but this could be due to a more efficient system.

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what are rural versus suburban versus urban differences?

I think it's just the amount of people...furthermore, dealing with more impatient people could effect the performance of DMV officials which could decrease efficiency exponentially.

The bussiest Sec. of State that I've visited was in downtown Chicago...The place was a multi-level madhouse with hundreds of people in several different buildings waiting to be helped....I was there for about 90 mins but it wasn't too bad considering I had to take a road test along with 30 other people and was able to leave with the actual license in hand....

Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are...

[kbordson 8]

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My main point is that MY experience with the DMV has sucked.

I just always get a kick about those of you who live in JesusLand.. when all you can do is complain about your government... yet you continue to elect the same HACKS to office over and over...

It must be some deranged form of conservative masochism to keep doing the same things over and over.. and expecting a different outcome.


You are talking about state systems..as opposed to federal systems.... its just another back door conservative comparison of"government" handling of services and their fear of what they see now.. and what the scary black man is going to CHANGE in their lives......and the bottom line is as always on here... comparing watermelons to grapes.

[Unstable 9]

I usually get in and out of the DMV pretty quickly, but the damn thing is never open. Seriously. Tuesday - Thursday, 10am-4pm, Friday 8am - 12pm. Two old ladies work there. I want their jobs!!

=========Shaun ==========

[Amazon 7]

Follow along now.. it seems to be those of you in the red states and professed conservatives... who seem to have so much angst about your government.


The whole DMV thing is and was brought up... to SCARE the stupid people into thinking that healthcare would be run in a similar fashion if the scary black man who got elected has his way.


To be perfectly honest.... if it was run as efficiently as DMV is here in Washington .... I would be all for it... It is far better than the cluster fuck I have been personally a victim of by the private medical insurance scam that IS currently flourishing here.


When I pay for something.. I expect results... and service..... I guess your milage does indeed vary

[kbordson 8]

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Follow along now.. it seems to be those of you in the red states and professed conservatives... who seem to have so much angst about your government.


The whole DMV thing is and was brought up... to SCARE the stupid people into thinking that healthcare would be run in a similar fashion if the scary black man who got elected has his way.

ok, do you UNDERSTAND that my link was from over 2 years ago? Well before the Obama election. Well before this health care discussion.

and you still haven't explained the "JesusLand." What ever you're smoking... I just hope it's either legal or soon to be taxed.

Try again. m'kay.

[Amazon 7]

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Follow along now.. it seems to be those of you in the red states and professed conservatives... who seem to have so much angst about your government.


The whole DMV thing is and was brought up... to SCARE the stupid people into thinking that healthcare would be run in a similar fashion if the scary black man who got elected has his way.

ok, do you UNDERSTAND that my link was from over 2 years ago? Well before the Obama election. Well before this health care discussion.

and you still haven't explained the "JesusLand." What ever you're smoking... I just hope it's either legal or soon to be taxed.

Try again. m'kay.

Jesusland....http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesusland_map

Try again DOC.. but I have not smoked ANYTHING in over 30 years... Got anymore lame assed attempts at a personal attack????

[jcd11235 0]

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So what does a DMV (or Secretary of State office, or whatever it’s called in your State) do? What’s driven some (71% of experiences) to be characterized as “run efficiently”? And 29% to not be?

To throw out a hypothesis or two, it might be that ~71% have learned to not go to the DMV on the last day or two of the month.

Or, perhaps, some states have implemented "expires on your birthday" policies for licenses and tags to better distribute the arrivals of those who do put renewals off until the last minute.

Also, some states have increased the duration of vehicle tags and licenses, resulting in a reduction of the number of people in need of service at the DMV at any given time.

Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

[kbordson 8]

Well.

You're just not making sense here and I'm trying to make excuses for your inability to comprehend that my post linked to experiences from HOW MANY YEARS AGO so how could that be any way tied to "scary black men" or "JesusLand"?

You just keep tryin to spin this, m'kay?

[jcd11235 0]

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… provide misinformation.

Explain what that has to do with JesusLand?!

I realize correlation does not prove causation, but …

Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

[kbordson 8]

hmmmmm.

even in her map of JesusLand, Wisconsin is blue. Interesting.


-I'm thinking that the "misinformation" is coming from somewhere else.

[Amazon 7]

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hmmmmm.

even in her map of JesusLand, Wisconsin is blue. Interesting.

Last I checked..... you are NOT living in Wisconsin but south of there in Jesusland.

AND from what you linked to here....

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Starts out with a 45 minute wait.... then the ignorant cow enters the information wrong, her supervisor then has to help and reenter all the info. Then they get annoyed at me for not having my plate info with me. (I have the title stuffs, taxes stuff, insurance stuff... THEY have my plates on file!! Look it up, STOOPID!) Then finally all is done and she says that will be $1564. WTF?! Buying a car and taxes and DMV in Kansas City SUCKS!!!!!!

Sorry If I actually READ what you wrote....

[kbordson 8]

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hmmmmm.

even in her map of JesusLand, Wisconsin is blue. Interesting.

Last I checked..... you are NOT living in Wisconsin but south of there in Jesusland

Look at post 20 and post 25 where you were arguing that Wisconsin isn't blue.

[Amazon 7]

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hmmmmm.

even in her map of JesusLand, Wisconsin is blue. Interesting.

Last I checked..... you are NOT living in Wisconsin but south of there in Jesusland

Look at post 20 and post 25 where you were arguing that Wisconsin isn't blue.

You were talking about when YOU lived there..years ago...

Uh.. other than Milwaukee and Madison metro area's( high percentage of the population of the state).. most of Wisconsin is pretty red state....state of mind.

[kbordson 8]

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hmmmmm.
even in her map of JesusLand, Wisconsin is blue. Interesting.

Last I checked..... you are NOT living in Wisconsin but south of there in Jesusland

Look at post 20 and post 25 where you were arguing that Wisconsin isn't blue.

You were talking about when YOU lived there..years ago...

Uh.. other than Milwaukee and Madison( most of the population of the state.. most of Wisconsin is pretty red state....state of mind.

And I told you. - It's been blue since I started driving.

Now, you want to continue bickering about irrelevant topics or just admit that you are wrong on this.

No red or blue.

No JesusLand.

No scary black man issues

No healthcare topics.

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THE DMV (AS LINKED TO FROM A POST OVER TWO YEARS AGO) HAS SUCKED.