California Department of Motor Vehicles [CA DMV]
reviews and complaints

On Feb 25, 2021 I received a notice of delinquent renewal for my vehicle license #CU778DP...I never received an original notice of renewal ! I am now being charged with a penalty of $103.00..

Our customer traded in her vehicle on 6/17/20. We have been trying to get a title for it since. We are in round 3 of sending docs to the rush title dept. V#19xfb2f5xce349083 sent notice of address change, statement of facts, application for duplicate title. Our conf# dmv-vo: 494865 — case # [protected] [ref:_00dt0gyxg._500t0yegke:ref] last sent fedex on 1/7/21 tracking# [protected]. Still waiting...

DMV employee unregistered my truck without permission when saw mailing address was different than physical address and they won't change it back without me paying to fix their screw up. This has gone on for almost 1 1/2 yrs now without me being able to use my truck in any way. Also never a call back from manager like I was told I would months ago. This has cost me not only to have to pay for public transportation, money to pay private people for rides where public wasn't available for time or place I need to go, but also cost me on money I could have been earning hauling and towing with the truck as it was registered as a commercial vehicle to do so for a reason. I was told on the phone that I would have to have to pay to have the truck inspected and all cost just like it was a new vehicle transferred from another state into CA. As this was not something that was done with any permission to the DMV, I should not have to pay anything for this to be fixed ASAP.

As a business, we have a large fleet that requires registration renewals. I mailed out a payment for 5 vehicles, and the DMV claimed they never received it, they made me wait 10 weeks before I can send in another check. In addition, I sent another payment for 5 additional vehicles, and the DMV sent back a notice that a check was not included. I personally sent out the check with the appropriate attachments, I can without a doubt say the necessary items were included in my mailed packet. I believe their DMV employees do not want to process multiple registrations at once and purposely return registrations noted as "no check attached"

4 to six weeks ago I went into dmv I paid $55.00 to get my license back. I had complied with all dmv requirements for dui. I also paid for a ca identification card and took a new picture I have received niether. I have onlya expired identification card. Please mail both as soon as possible my license should be for up to at least my birthday of 2021. My id should be until 2026. Kelly mercer 235 east holly street apt 105, pasadena ca 91101. Today is november 17th 2020. My bank wont even talk to me without a valid id. Send immediatly. I paid for both c218896 thank you. My phone number is [protected].

Disgusting service and they didn't even pretend it was a covid related delay!

I paid online for my reg renew back in Aug for an Oct expiry. I didn't see that it needed a star smog until weeks later I got a confirmation of payment and the reminder to get this done. I scheduled it the day before the expiry and it passed straight away (and I wasn't planning to use the car for at least a few weeks with our covid hibernation) but 4 weeks pass and I thought I had better call them.

After holding for 1 hour 48 mins the woman on the phone, understandably wouldn't talk to me as my husbands name is on the reg but luckily he came home at the same time. I said to him that even though it was paid and passed the reg was on put hold until the owner called in! she asked him the vin number and reg and year and said OK the reg will be there is 2-3 weeks! WT heck.

Why the hell was it on hold with no phone call or letter telling us we needed to call in. The money was paid and cashed by the dmv months before and the smog check passed with flying colors and was sent in the same day 7th oct so why the hell did it take until nov 15th to get my documents! Disgusting. There is no excuse dmv (and I have always defended their awful reputation but no more) she said it wasn't even a covid delay, irresponsible.

My PCP and I applied for a handicap placard back in April for :
Rosalind Gorges
1336 Boulevard way 103#
Walnut creek CA.94595
DL#C6223250
I am in end stage kidney failure and need to access closer parking. I have not heard from DMV regarding my request.Please find out the status of my request.
[protected]@comcast.net
Thank you in advance R.Gorges

I visited the Norco DMV on September 2, 2020 to get a new ID because license was suspended/expired and no longer in my possession. The employees seemed to be efficient although they were having issues with their picture taking once the issue appeared to be fixed they took my thumb print and picture then gave me my receipt told me I would receive the new ID in 2 weeks. Well it didn't then after 3 weeks still nothing so I call the DMV 800 number at 1:52pm on Wednesday September 23, 2020 and I was on hold until 4:56 pm just over 3 hours a woman answers the phone as they are about to close I explained my situation in short and give her all my information. The response I get is in a nutshell they have known since the day I was there September 2, 2020 that I needed to come back and take another picture. The woman says they should have sent me a notice to give me this information but then couldn't find anything stating that it had. At that point I told her she was 100% right they should have unfortunately they didn't ! So back to the DMV I go

I went to DMV on March 4, 2020 to renew my license which was going to expire on April 9, 2020. I only went inside because I have moved and lost a lot of weight so I thought I should have a new license. When I took my vision test, I told them that I am legally blind in my left eye due to shingles almost 15 years ago. They gave me an extension and a paper to take to my optometrist to sign that showed my vision in my right eye was okay. When I took the paperwork back to the DMV, they closed due to COVID so they gave me an extension until June 2020. Well, the doctor put on it that I had the beginning of a cataract (which I've had for several years, but it has not been bad enough to require surgery). The DMV told me I would have to take a driver's test but they weren't doing them because of COVID so they have me another extension that was good thru Sept 9, 2020. I went in on August 26th or 27th and was able to set up a driver's test for Sept 8th but they also gave me another extension good through Oct 27, 2020. I went in this morning for the driver's test, provided my car registration, insurance, and driver's license. They gave me a piece of paper to put on my dash board and wait in the area for someone to come give me my driving test. When it was time for the person to get into my car, she said my paperwork from my optometrist had expired because it was over 6 months. (it expired Sept 4th) and I would have to go back and get a new one from my optometrist. The appointment was made BEFORE the paperwork expired and nobody inside had said a word about it when I went I made the appointment OR when I checked in this morning. They brought me another extension, good through Nov 7th, 2020 and gave me a blank form to take to my optometrist again. I went directly to my optometrist and he completed a new form immediately so I took it right back to the DMV and made ANOTHER appointment for Sept 23, 2020. We'll see what happens this time.

I am filing a complaint against Sacramento DMV, the Special Processing Unit that handles Disabled DMV Parking Handicap Placard. They cashed my $6.00 check; but, I haven't received my handicap placard.

On July 23, 2020, I mailed my application (Form 195) and my payment of $6, 00 for a temporary handicap placard to DMV Placard, PO Box 942869, Sacramento CA 94269-0001. The form was complete with my medical provider's information and authorization for the temporary placard. My $6, 00 check was cashed on August 11, 2020. Yet, I still have not received the placard nor have I heard from DMV.

On August 27, 2020, I wrote to DMV Placard, PO Box 942869, Sacramento, CA and to inquire what the status is on my placard. I have not heard from them.

On August 28, 2020, I wrote to DMV, Office Of the Director to complain about their Customer Service, since they website asks for customer service feedback. I have not heard from them either.

On August 31, 2020, I called DMV Customer service 1 800-777-0133 to inquire about it. I spoke with Diana #1116 and a Manager, Debra that day. The only option they suggested was to submit another application and go to DMV in person. I explained to them that I am a 75 year old woman and I'm recovering from recent major hip surgery. Having to make a doctor's appointment to obtain another application to bring it to DMV is unreasonable and burdensome. It is apparent that DMV received my application since they already cashed my check. Both Diana and the manager, Debra, were unable to resolve my issue. They suggested that I call the DMV Special Processing Unit at (916) 657-8035.

On September 1, 2020, at 8:00 am in the morning, I call the Special Processing Unit at (916) 657-8035, A recording came on stating that they are experiencing a high volume of calls and to call back later. I was immediately disconnected. I called again that day at 8:03 am, only to get the same recording. They just open at 8:00 am, how could they be experiencing a high volume of calls already?

Needless to say, it has been very frustrating. At this point, if DMV has no intention to sending me the placard by this Saturday, September 5, 2020, I want my refund of $6.00 back.

Manteca, CA office. 8-17-20. My daughter and I waited in line for her to get an ID card. We were given a number in a timely manner. From there it seemed to go bad.
1) We were told we could not wait on DMV property, for our number to be called. We were told to wait in our cars. (We had masks and were distancing.)
2) We were told she needed additional paperwork. We drove 15 miles home and came back and were told it wasn't sufficient.
3) We returned the next day at 11:30 with her reservation card from the previous day and were told it was not valid and no "walk-ins" for the remainder of the day.
4) We have tried multiple times to make an appointment, but no appointments can be made on line for getting her ID card.
5) Went to Tracy branch on 8-18-20. No walk-in appointments after 11:30 because they close at 3 pm.
Please extend the walk-in times and please allow appointments for ID cards. Thanks. Gary [protected]

Every single year when it's time for me to pay my registration for some odd reason DMV bills me for all tickets even though tickets were paid and when I tried to pay registration only asking me for full payment plus tickets that I paid several months ago and this continues to happen. Cheating me out of money and sending me back and forth to my local DMV to complain about the problems which they are no help only route me back to DMV in Sacramento California still no help with the issue

Submitted the refund application on-line after I paid colorado registration fees. That was on feb. 22, 2020, I heard nothing back what so ever. Submitted application again on may 20, 2020, again on-line, I again heard nothing back. Submitted refund application again on june 1st, this time by mail and have still not received my refund or any correspondence from the dmv. Their own policy states that they will refund your fees or contact you for more information. This is some sort of joke right? Spent over 4 hour on hold and finally hung up well after 6:30, 1 and a half hours after they close, figured they might honor the 2 hours I was told to wait for an agent, nope. If they had just dropped the call at 5 pm when they closed, at least I would have know I was doomed. Tried the chat on-line, got to an agent who was less than useless, gave me a number 916-657-8035 that is so over burdened that it hangs up after telling you they have a high call volume, wtf? Just keep trying stupid! Is california so broke that they can't honor their agreements? Or is it just a middle finger to those who have fled? I think we all know the answer to that.

My license was suspended then released by Child Support services as of last Monday but I cannot get an appointment to pay and have it reissued. I am a disabled senior nearing 70 years of age and can't drive legally to get food, medicine or see my physicians or care for my disabled children and wife.

HELP...this is a 911 request.

James
[protected]@aol.com

My license needs to be renewed by the end of the month. I was told I needed to go to a DMV office and renew in person. I am a disabled person recovering from severe trauma to my legs, ankles, and feet. There's usually a separate DMV line for disabled people to handle their business. At the Glendale DMV Office I was told very bluntly that there isn't a handicap line and that I'd have to stand for two hours to get my license. I told them that standing for long periods is very painful for me. The DMV officer replied that my options were to stand and be in pain or not get my license. I understand these people are stressed out, but this is uncalled for and extremely discriminating.

January 2020, I submitted an Applction for Refund for my 2000 Nissan, plate# A924A0 with several attachments explaining the reason for my refund.

It is now June 2020 and after fedexing it to DMV since they lost the original refund request, the sent me yet aother letter requesting a reason for the refund. Seriously? wait another 3 weeks? Come on

During the pandemic crisis California DMV office neglected to send me my invoice for one of my vehicles (Hyundai Sonata lic # 6u0L846 vin# 5npec4Ach460021) registration until it was already past due and I supposedly owed a late fee of $86.00.
I called the office and was told that it was a glitch due to the pandemic and that the late fee would be waived. I was told to just send in the regular payment, which I did.
Yesterday, I received a notice that my car will not be registered until I pay the late fee. Really?! Why didn't DMV tell me that in the first place?
This is extremely upsetting to me because this is not a bill that I can put in my calendar and pay on a regular basis. I am totally reliant on the whims of the DMV as to whether I will randomly need a smog check and what the fees will be.
I would also like to express my disappointment in this government establishment for its role in taking advantage of an international crisis to extort extra fees. I do not know if the DMV office personnel were not able to complete their job or if the US mail was the affected party. Either would be understandable in these troubled times, but to stick it to the people who are desperately trying to support their families the best they can, is wrong on multiple levels.
By the way, in case you check my payment record, you will find that it is exemplary.

I would like a refund of the late fees that DMV is forcing me to pay for my registration

Kathleen R. Adamiak
8836 Hummingbird Ave
Fountain Valley, Ca 92708
[protected]@gmail.com