Department of Motor Vehicles

Recently had the worst experience I have ever had at a DMV, while trying to register my car in CT. What made it worse is that my friends here said they heard that the CT DMV is now «new and approved», and that getting a CT license and registration should be a breeze. Just to be sure, I went on a random mid-​week morning when it should have been less crowded. The first clue that something was amiss started in the parking lot. Despite having a decent-​sized lot at this location, there was no parking to be found. Once inside, I was shuffled from station to station – with a wait time at each one – when in reality just one or two stations should have been able to completely process me. The first guy I worked with was great, and his manager was helpful as well. However, my last stop was with a blond, curly haired woman who treated me like a criminal. She refused to issue me a temporary registration while I sorted out an issue with my title – even though earlier that day the manager said that they would give me one. I get it, it’s not always a cake walk to work with the public. However, it’s also a tough job market out there, and the state should be able to find some competent people to work there – like the people who helped me earlier that day. Bottom line: I was there for almost 4 hours and left without a registration. Wish I had read the Unilocal reviews advising people to go to another office. I finished up the process today at the Norwalk DMV. While there are some issues at that location as well, overall it was a much faster and better experience.

I would give no stars if I could. Not even due to the 2 hour wait (which I expect at a DMV), but the disrespect and uncalled for attitudes. I was helped by Chuck, who was really nice. There was this man named Aarron who was extremely rude to anyone who dared ask him a question, like reallllly rude! If I was anywhere but the DMV he would of heard from me. Avoid this DMV at all cost. Never again.

This rating is more a review of Connecticut and its process. Although Hamden can be better staffed. Half the Windows have nobody working over 3 visits there in one week. If you are moving here from out of state be prepared for the most comprehensive application process I have seen after living in 20 states.

This is a horrible place. I was told that my social security card was not good and they would take a w2. I went home and brought it back to the same guy (Chuck Z). After waiting for 45 minutes at his window he looked at the paperwork briefly to say it was good. Then finished helping someone else and then he told me he had to go to lunch. I just left. I hate that place and never want to return there.

If I was allowed to put ZERO stars I would!!! SAVE YOURSELF THE TIME AND GO TO OLD SAYBROOK IF YOU CAN!!! EVERYONE is put into one massive line regardless of the reason for your visit. I have been waiting over two hours simply to renew an expired license which I couldn’t do at AAA. The employees I have dealt with have been friendly but this is so absurd I will never return to this branch so long as I’m breathing.

Worst staff in the entire history of the united states. Save yourself the trouble of dealing with these people and ride a bicycle everywhere. I would rather lose my left hand for life then have to spend another second at the Hamden Ct DMV building specifically

This DMV appears to have hired a management consultant to design their practices to induce the maximum frustration among their ‘customers.’ Possibly the only place run worse than Comcast.

The State must do something about these horrible wait times. Have been here for 2 hours and still showing the same 30 some people ahead of me. There is no excuse for this lag in service. If they were getting ready to close for the day… bet the lines would move faster…
Horrible service… people should not have to leave their jobs or businesses this long.

Not bad, and quick.

Absolutely the worst staff and management in the country. My sister is a 100% disabled army vet that has trouble getting out of bed let alone out the house most days. The staff here turned her away not once but twice when she tried to get a non drivers id that she needs to get medical care. These callous lazy degenerates would not accept her proof of residency because the name on her letters were in her maiden name instead of her current dual last name which includes her maiden name. The complete lack of compassion shown clearly demonstrates their lack of any inkling of humanity.

The only good thing about this place that i can say is that its not an ISIS training camp.
That is literally all the positives.
Its awful. The workers, parking the public inside– all suck.

Seriously, what the %#*& was I thinking?
I literally could have spent less time driving from Hamden to New Britain, accomplished my vehicle registration, and then driven back to pick up the vehicle, all in less time than it took to register here.
THREE AND A HALF HOURS. Absolutely, inexcusably ridiculous. Thank god there is a convenience store nearby, so you can occupy yourself with food while the soulless automatons process paperwork too slowly. Obviously understaffed, overcrowded, and undercaring.
Not to mention the snide comments from the gatekeeper. «Looks like someone trying to get rid of something,» he douchbaggedly surmised from the paperwork on my new truck. Listen pal, you’re here to give me the right paperwork and a ticket, not evaluate the financial wisdom of purchasing a $ 1750 beater pickup.
[It’s a great truck, by the way.]
Seriously, go to ANY OTHER DMV before this one. Even Wethersfield, while very large, tends to operate with some modicum of efficiency. This one needs to be bulldozed, and quick.

Likes going to the DMV. Bring snacks and drinks along with you. I had to go four times to get my vehicle registration completed because I kept getting this information and then my child was sick which made my vehicle identification time out and I had to go back yet another time. In the four times I have gone all of the employees were kind and helpful, Though admittedly I could have used some further assistance and attention to detail from them with the paperwork and all the things that were required to get my car registration completed. Seeing the previous comments here I thought that this place would be hell on wheels and I was pleasantly surprised that it was actually not that bad which is saying something about the DMV. Yolanda particularly helped me, and took individual care. Thank you very much, you deserve your weight in gold and are a wonderful person.

Working at a DMV, I imagine, is just as painful as having to go to a DMV. Try to remember that the inconvenience and wait times are not the fault of the employees.
Expect to wait in line outdoors for a portion of your time.
As a word of warning, the website is not crystal clear about the documents you need to bring with you. The employees may also lead you astray at times.
Here is what I learned.
For a new license (mine was out of state), you will need:
–TWO items proving residency. (Two pieces of mail from separate sources with dates within the last 90 days, renters insurance)
— Valid ID (
)
— Current driver’s license
— Proof of social security number. (Social security card or W2 form)
— License application (You’ll get two copies when you print off the document to fill out– give them the one that shows your social security number.
)
For a registration, you will need:
— VIN (get your car inspected at a CT inspection station)
— Current registration
— Registration application (
)
— Vehicle title
— Proof of insurance
— Emission control inspection certificate (some vehicles don’t need this. See the DMV list of exemptions for details.
)
— Bill of Sale
— Two valid forms of ID (valid license, passport, birth certificate,
)
— You’ll probably also need the mail I described above
— Current driver’s license
Good luck! There is a concession stand, so grab a snack and hang in there!
Eliza

If I could give this particular DMV negative stars I would. What a horrible experience. This was my third day going to this DMV.
I went there to transfer my OH license to a CT license. On my first visit, I was told that all I would need was my OH driver’s license, a passport, and a piece of mail with my current address. On my second visit, I was given a checklist, which included things such as: (1) a Social Security Card, (2) a W2 Form, and (3) two pieces of mail with the current address. On my third visit, thinking I had all of the right forms, I discovered that the worker at station 17 didn’t like the fact that my employer issues electronic W2s. Yes, they look a bit different when printed out from the W2s you get from the government, but they’re still W2s. So, I’ve got to go back again tomorrow with an older W2 form.
To top it all off, the DMV employee at station 17 was just rude. Yes, I was carrying a notebook with the name of the swanky university on it at which I teach and research. But it doesn’t excuse the employees rudeness. I really thought it was inappropriate for her/​him to insult my intelligence by saying, «Sir, I would expect someone from such a great school to know what forms they need.» Really?
When I informed the employee at station 17 that her comment was out of line, I got the old, «Sir you need to calm down. This is your problem, not mine.» To which I said, «So that’s it. You’re not going to help me?» You can guess what the response was.
The thing is, who am I going to complain to? I thought about speaking to the manager, but if an employee’s defense is that you’re a dumb elitist from a really good school, what’s the point?
From what I’ve heard from colleagues, save yourself some trouble and avoid the Hamden DMV. I’ve been told the one in Bridgeport is better. I guess I’ll find out tomorrow.

I’ve been to a DMV in three different states and I feel like they all might be trained the same how not to be nice. I have no idea why they talk to you like trash especially if your nice to them I would understand if I wasn’t. Also they are not great of giving you information especially when they know you have to come back. I came in here twice and not once was I told that my insurance paper would cause me issues to register my car and that was the first thing I told them. The insurance paper had a CT address on it but it said New York state insurance also on the top. So I finally thought I had everything straight the third time and I had one issue my insurance paper it had to read Connecticut insurance funny thing I was able to get a license with it reading new york state and I told two people what I was doing and they never gave me a warning about the insurance paper.

You know it’s going to be a while when there is a concession stand at the DMV.
This is by far the most painful DMV process I have ever experienced. I have lived in 4 states, and while going to the DMV is never something I look forward to, words fail me to describe the cluster that is the DMV here.
I don’t have any tips to make your experience here better than mine. I tried to research what I needed to bring before I came, but the CT DMV website is just as painful as the brick and mortar locations. I also arrived ½ hour before the DMV opened and had to wait outside in single digit temps. Despite my early arrival, it was still more than 2.5 hours of waiting, reshuffling me from station to station, and being misinformed by employees — who took out their annoyance on me instead of seeing they are part of a broken and inefficient system — before I was finally released.
Just avoid this place at all costs. Seriously.

It was after their 4pm close, and while my wife and I are in the middle of registering our cars from out of state, I run out to the car to get something so our son doesn’t melt down. I mean, he’d been patient during the 2.5 hour wait, but was hitting his limit.
And I’m not allowed back in. Seriously! Despite pleading to a sense of humanity, they slammed the door in my face and locked it, keeping me from my wife and 6 month old son about to throw a fit. Since I wasn’t there with my info, my wife had to stop the transaction that was already in process so that we’ll all have to come back and do the same thing over again. Also, without any provocation or threat from me except my pleading, the guy slamming the door in my face said loud enough for me to here «I don’t carry a gun on duty, but I do after work» and looked in my direction. The other people outside were appalled. One man yelled back at him, «I hope you’re not a religious person, because God will judge you and you will burn in hell for all eternity.»
I don’t say this lightly — the people at this DMV are the *ugliest and worst* example of humanity and compassion. A terrible first face for Connecticut to present to new residents.

Rude and inaccurate. And by inaccurate I mean, among other things, the spelling of my name on my license. Exceptional work, folks.

If you ever need to go to the DMV, save yourself the serious migrane and do not go to this office.
This one is horrible, disorganized and annoying. The staff is rude and inconsiderate. I had to register a vechicle and on the bill of sale, the seller accidently wrote his name on the wrong line. Little did I know, the seller had recently died. I tried to tell this to the woman that no matter what I was to do, I could not get a dead guy to sign in the right spot!
She looked at me and said «well, that is your problem»
I hate this place so much, nevermind the rude people who work there, there are people everywhere and running around all over the place.
To finish my story, I went to the Waterbury DMV and successfully registered the vechicle. Nothing was said about the «wrong line» and everything was fine.
WATERBURY DMV IS A GOD SEND!