Barstow DMV

First off, let me say Ms. Claudia was so professional. I came in to take a test and needed some accommodations for my disability. Something that most people are not aware of as DMV employees. However, not only was she patient and compassionate, she made sure my needs for testing were met. A competent lady. She went out of her way to explain to another employee what was being requested in order for the testing to run smoothly for me. She explained what options I had if the test was failed, and that gave me such reassurance. I'm so grateful for knowledgeable employees like her. Not only was she effective in her communcation and explanation, she had such a positive attitude! Was friendly and very welcoming. Never, ever had I had an experience of such at a Ca DMV..ever! The line was a bit long but moved so quickly and we were in and out in a fraction of the time for most Southern Ca DMVs. What stood out to me the most was Ms Claudia's willingness to do her job effectively and with such kindness. She is everything most DMV employees are not. Knowledgeable and compassionate. Thank you Ms. Claudia for making my DMV experience the first ever positive one. Now I look forward to my next DMV visit with joy.

To the little lady with the brown hair and glasses! Thank you! You were my driving instructor on Jan 21st 2026 and you were very kind and awesome! I'll never forget your kind words and warmth!!! ❤️ Best Wishes!! 🫂

Tonya was fantastic – friendly, patient, and clearly knew her stuff, which made the whole process quick and stress-free. The woman at window 3 kept the line moving and didn’t miss a beat, even with a crowd, and you could tell she really cared about helping people get in and out efficiently. For a DMV visit, this was about as easy and painless as it gets.

I never thought I’d say this about the DMV, but wow—what a pleasant shock! Everyone braces for endless lines and frustration, especially as a walk-in, yet Thursday morning I strolled into Barstow and barely waited. The place is smaller but the staff? Straight-up impressive. They were kind, super sharp, and moved things along like pros who actually know their stuff. Thank you for making what I expected to hate turn into something genuinely smooth and positive. You guys are killing it!

I usually go to DMV in Culver City, but was on my way from Vegas back to Los Angeles and was short on time. I went in Wednesday before Thanksgivings and was very pleased with the service. I did not have an appointment and it took less than 40 minutes. Whitney was especially nice and expedient with her service. Great Job CA-DMV Barstow.

Mostly empty always which is great, yet they still take forever

Best DMV I have ever been to. Fast and easy service and excellent customer service. Will definitely recommend this place to everyone.

Very disappointed today with the dmv I took my husband to take his written test and I didn’t remember he have one more try since from last test I think is being two months from now and today they didn’t say anything about it and we pay $46 we’re thinking he’s gonna take 3 try today and then after he’s first try they said his 3 try is done he have to go pay again but we told them we already pay $46 for 3 try now he’s done with one he have 2 more left and they said he did 2 before it show on their system he did it on the screen and I told them my husband don’t know how to go on the screen what test on the screen they talking about cause all the time my husband go to dmv he always go with me and I know everything about him they said he’s done with 3 try he did 2 from before and he took the last one today so if he took the last one today and where is he’s 3 try we pay today where is the $46 I pay today very disappointing and I saw some people walk out disappointed too with the answer they gave to them make sure to double check your work before you submit it.

Most everything. Punctual, efficiently executed and easy Was able to get in and out fairly quickly. Friendly staff and personnel.

0 stars rude lady at window 8 hates her job with a ugly attitude didn't want to retake my picture when I was midblinking

The Barstow DMV can be hard to find because it doesn't have a lot of signage. It is located in a shopping center adjacent from Food For Less. This DMV is small but the staff is efficient and they will have you out of there fast. Just have your paperwork ready in advance.Ex. If you're applying for ID go online and fill out the form in advance on www.dmv.ca.gov so that way you can just walk up and pay. I would recommend getting an appointment in advance but if you're unable to then make sure you arrive at 7 am or as early as possible. There might be a line but it goes fast. ON A SUPER IMPORTANT NOTE Just FYI A REAL ID will be required for domestic air travel and access to certain federal facilities starting May 7, 2025. Domestic air travel REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses or state ID cards will be required to board commercial aircraft on domestic flights. Federal facilities REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses or state ID cards will be required to access secure federal facilities, such as military bases. SO MAKE SURE TO UPDATE YOUR ID to REAL ID WHEN YOU GO. It's the same process as the regular ID and costs the same as well.

I'd put 0 stars if I could. Went here for tag renewals after a lienholder change, also with tags being paid for and being held for 3 months. The lady at counter 6 requested a lienholder hard copy document after I showed her the document in my email a month previous. I was issued temp tags, came back with the document and was told it wasn't the correct document after she told me it was the correct one a month ahead of time after reading my copy through USAA. She stated "maybe if I could read I would have brought the right document." Then turned me away with no new temp tags. WOW! Be prepared to wait 3 hours minimum as well.

I am freakin' AMAZED right now. I had an appointment to renew my REAL ID & the line for the appointment literally took 2 min for me. Then waiting for my number, was literally next in line. I waited literally another 2 minutes for my appointment. It wasn't even time for my appointment yet & they took me right away. I got out so quick doing finger print, signing, paying & photos. It wasn't even time for my appointment still. Tyesha & Denise were so helpful & nice to talk to. I am SO coming here in the future again, even though it's 6 hours away from the Bay Area. I would actually plan out my visits to LA, Vegas.

Second time there they are rude. Only nice one was the lady that checks u in. It's sad cause I would not recommend going here. it's horrible because it's the only place you could go out there to go to the DMV so even though you don't recommend it they still have to use his office unless they want to drive further people are rude. They need to be trained.

I went to this place 2 times from Las Vegas to get a car document for my father and mother, one of the employees delayed my work both times by causing problems in my work, and every time I wanted to talk to the manager of this department, the manager was his male employee. that there is a man with a hairless head, his payment is very easy with complete resets and the manager also supports him. Is there a place to handle it?

Security was mean and told me to move instead of saying excuse me and grabbed me to move. The staff is alright but definitely the security needs to get checked for his rude behavior.

Every dmv employee should train here Everyone was friendly I got in & out with everything I needed No waiting Hand down the best experience I've ever had at a dmv Thanks so much to everyone working here You're the best!

Compared to other dmvs I've been too, this one was the fastest. Employees were helpful. Came to register a car i bought and I was in and out in no time.

Went in to take my drivers test and got an asain lady. never in my life have i met a more miserable lady. the lady who had taken her test before me was crying before even knowing she failed due to this ladies attitude. the first time i took my test with her she was rude off the bat, she got yelled at me for turning down my ac, if i tried to ask a question she would shush me, all she would do is point her finger to the direction she wanted me to turn but she would do it right before the turning lane ended. when we got back she told me i failed my test and i didnt even ask questions because i knew from the start she was going to fail me. went back for my 2nd test and the first thing she says to me is "i already failed you once before so you can either reschedule or take it with me but you probably arent going to pass" it really bummed me out hearing that but i still did it. this lady needs a huge reality check, she is the most miserable human ive met.

By far one of the worst DMV's in California. Appointments here are pointless. It's a small location with 7 windows and only 2 were open. 0 stars

How to have a good DMV experience: make an appointment. I made my appointment for a Thursday afternoon, showed up a few min late but it wasn't a big deal because there was no line. I was greeted warmly by gal at the entrance desk, she was walking away from the station when I walked in but she saw me and turned around and took care of me. Very polite and gave me instructions to fill out my paperwork on a kiosk (there's about 10 kiosk stations where you can fill out electronic forms for everything if you didn't do it ahead of time.) took me 3 minutes and then I came back to the gal and handed her my ticket with confirmation number. She gave me a ticket and I must have sat down for 3 minutes and my number was called. I had a great experience, despite my lateness and not having had my paperwork filled out ahead of time.

I went to the Barstow DMV for a behind-the-wheel test and a lady in a camouflage hat, light purple shirt, white long sleeves underneath the shirt, black square framed sunglasses, and jeans was my DMV examiner. This test was on 08/22/2024 at 8:20am. The test was running a little late, which I did not mind. What I did mind was how the DMV examiner treated me. After checking for car controls and condition, she went by the driver's window for me to sign, but was very unhappy when my hand with the pen almost touched the clipboard. I brushed this off and hovered my hand over the paper. When she realized how silly this looked she let me touch the paper lightly as I signed. She sat in the passenger seat, or more like laid with how she reclined the seat down into a 165 degree angle like it was a canopy. She wanted me to take off immediately so I had to stop and explain to her that I wanted to ask a few questions before we left, just so I could get a better understanding of the behind-the-wheel test, as well as her style of testing. Quickly becoming impatient, she told me that this was a test and that test takers should know better. Her tone was condescending, so I stopped with my 2-3 questions so as to not bother her further. Pulled out like she wanted and began the test. I'm okay with failing the test because I made a dangerous maneuver from my nerves. What really disgusted me was how she spoke to me in the parking lot. After parking, she explained what I had done in the same condescending tone, but I continued to be cordial and take her harsh criticisms with a smile. Then she proceeded to go "did you mom drive you here?" Which was odd but I replied "no, I drove here from the freeway." I could tell she wanted to dig at me and then scoffed going "well the freeway is straight anyways." So it didn't matter how I responded because either way she wanted to attack me. When students make mistakes, do not attack the student and attempt to humiliate them for your own enjoyment. Maybe she thought I would be an easy target for my cordial behavior, but then she went "just because your 18 doesn't mean you should get a driver's license." I'm not sure why she hated me so much but I tried to calm the situation by explaining to her that my parents wanted to me to get my driver's license before college started. Taking the opportunity, she shot back saying, "blame it on the parents!!" While laughing at me. I'm willing to take criticism and deal with unprofessional people, but making negative assumptions about my personal life and taking it as a chance to bully a student just because you are in power of failing the student is cruel. I'm writing this to prevent other students from facing the same awful DMV examiner and be encouraged to drive again even if they fail. I don't want a student to be stressed from an examiner that will take personal digs into the student without even knowing them. Even the security guard tried to use his position to embarrass customers when they took more than 1 millisecond to show their papers.

First you get to talk to a security person that will direct you in line You stand in line to get to wait to see a technician, then you get to wait some more...1 1/2 hour to Two hour wait as of 12:28pm on Tuesday, Feb 18, 2020. The place is so packet not everyone can fit in the building. Amazing for how much we pay as Californian to wait so so Long. Clearly this place NEEDS more staff.

I had an appt, upon checking in they put me in line w/ everyone that was there before me. Regardless, if they had an appt or not. Then, when I made it to the window, I asked the lady that was helping me (black tattoo on her exposed breast, wearing a Raiders beanie, in my opinion, dressed very inappropriate for the govt position she holds) why I was being charged to have my stickers re-issued to me because they were sent to a physical address and not a mailing address (even though I provided both addresses at the time I registered the vehicle) after asking this question I noticed she got annoyed and refused to answer my next question. Which was "for my other vehicles, how do I know which address they have on file. That way I can make sure they all have my mailing address and not my physical". She kept repeating " idk, all I can tell you is the address on this vehicle is your physical". I asked her about 10 times the same question, at each time she would respond with the same sentence. I know working at the DMV can't be fun. But being disrespectful because you can't be held accountable is wrong. Especially when the question they are asking is to help them prevent the same issue from happening in the future unless the DMV is in the business of taking $27 to re-issue tags because your employees refuse to give answers to simple questions.

I must say that I was impressed,Even though it was a small dmv it wasn't ever crowded, the service was fast and the workers were curtious, Even thouogh most people in L.A. wouldn't go to this location,I tell them about it anyway.

Ladies in windows 7 & 8 are unprofessional.... One cut me with the paper and didn't even say sorry/ went about like nothing. When I made a point of saying hey ya kinda nicked me there she didn't say anything. And they appeared to have a click...Like bad customer service overall...and bad treatment of someone just trying to get stuff done. Was glad my business with them was complete. God will judge them I guess so that's where I'll leave it.

All I'm going to say is, Syed the Security Guard needs to be fired. I have no idea what he's doing standing by the door but it's not his job, that's for sure! He's just causing a stall on the line moving. He's also just letting whoever walks up to him in, when there's a whole line of 20+ people standing in line who still haven't been Screened. Anyways, this DMV is a joke. Everyone inside looks like they hate their jobs. They're slow and rude. No type of organization skills.

Great location to walk in, staff is on point and they are very helpful. The only thing that was disappointing was that the toilets are VERY DISGUSTING. Please address that problem!!

Service was good, it took 45 mins just to get my registration renewed. Although people are dmv weren't friendly they were very helpful.

I was super anxious. I hadn't set foot in a CA DMV for years-- always opting to renew by mail or use AAA services. I had heard real horrid stories. What I found was a pleasant surprise. I was politely greeted at the door and my appointment was verified. I was then directed to an expiditer who verified that I had all of the necessary documents. I was then told to have a seat and wait for my number, which was called immediately. Less than five minutes from parking to being seen. Wow. The clerk was, initially, very efficient. She entered all of the info, got my thumbprint, and took my payment. Another 5 minutes! She sent me over to get my picture with the direction to return straight to her cubicle. Two minutes at the picture window and I returned, almost giddy at the efficiency, to an empty cubicle station. Where I waited. And waited. And waited. She had taken her afternoon break. Or lunch? So much for a record-setting experience I was still out in under an hour, which by CA standards is a miracle!!

Dirty, lady at the front was nice, however the employees at the window were all rude, along with the behind the wheel instructor. Very slow pace and don't care about their jobs. Area the DMV in is completely ghetto, drug deals, homeless people all over the place, and people driving like maniacs. If you can, avoid this DMV at ALL costs.

This dmv needs some serious help. Extremely unhelpful rude and the lady at the front blonde heavier set elder women stated she wish she could go home for the day but has to be working at the dmv. Who the hell says that??? It's your job lady... come on. Absolutely ridiculous unhelpful and bad attitudes. A place ran by the government and you can't even have basic respect for other humans. It's absurd and sad.

We drive about 1 hour to get here to register our new boat and trailer and this DMV is not doing VIN Verification because it's too windy. SERIOUSLY!!!! Do your job people!!! I wouldn't give this even 1 star for today's service.

This is now the best Department of Motor Vehicles in our High Desert! At first I was discouraged, when I saw the long line. Luckily , I did have an Appointment for 2PM. In was updating my California ID and had to bring documents to verify who I was. There were people wall to wall.... Forget all the bad jokes about DMV, left there very satisfied at exactly 3 PM! Couldnt believe it! Everyone was professional and productive.

No matter it we are having a pandemic now this is just the worst #DMV I know. we were on line like 3 hours and they take for ever to call one number and when was almost time to close one employee tell as make your appointment online we are paying for the service is not free so why we have to be there on line for nothing for real

I went into the office for a Real ID. It took a total of 15 minutes! That's it, only 15 minutes!!! I did NOT have an appointment but did complete my online application and had all my documents ready. Everyone was professional & friendly. Danielle and the other employee (who started the process as I entered the office) were fantastic. Best DMV visit ever!

This DMV is awesome! I will always come here. I never been to a DMV where you can get in and out within the hour WITH whatever it is you need done. All the workers are pretty efficient and helpful.. even the customers are friendly and happy to make conversation.

I drove from Helendale to Barstow for the shorter lines. I got there about 11am on a Thursday. I was literally the 3rd person in line for the information desk. That was very nice. The blonde lady that helped me was very sweet and not rude like most employees that hate their life working at a dmv lol.

I was a little worried because of some of the bad reviews, but I had an appointment at 2:00 to renew my DL. I finished, got my temp license and am in my car at 2:23!! I call that a great experience in my humble opinion. I did get there early and they would not let me check in, but I understood so I came back at 1:59 and got checked in. I drove from Diamond Bar...because I procrastinated and had to get my renewal this week, this was the only open appointment this soon ( I made the appointment last week online). One clerk was not very friendly but she was never rude but the others were very nice and helpful- even though it was hot and crowded in there--- just glad I had an appointment! I only gave 4 stars because of the crowd -no seats- and it was hot in there.

For the OLD disgruntled Lady with gray ,black stripe hair and glasses. (Rest of employees know whom I am talking about). I finally got served for my DV plates (at another DMV office), with same paperwork I tried to use here in Barstow, it is pathetic how you went out your way trying to find a flaw on my paperwork. It is so disappointing to be discriminated and treated in such manner by a state employee. I can see that you are not a person of virtue and why you treat people a certain way. Maybe you weren't raised right. It is shame; such old age. I pray that God shows you the correct way before it becomes too late.

The lady with black, purple and white hair is a grump. Everybody else had smiles, kind and very courteous but not Miss Purple Hair. Grumpy, argumentative and treated people like they are a pain for her to earn a wage dealing with them.

The worse DMV I been to I had my appointment at 2:00pm obviously I made an appointment because I wanted to be out of there ASAP so I get there at 1:30 and there's a gentleman in the front to check in and he says I can't give you a number because you're to early I was like ok he said come back 10 minutes before your appointment so I did 1:50 I check am A007 so 30 minutes pass I look at the screen no letter A is being called so I go to the front desk and there's this lady with blonde hair and I say I been waiting for 30 mins are there any letter A being called she said let me check so she walks to a desk in the back and there's this other lady and she says yes she's next but has to wait so I was like ok to make things short I asked I 2nd time to the same lady and her coworker next to her says with a nasty attitude there's people in here that been waiting 2hours I understand but that's the whole reason why I made an appointment so I don't wait to long,sooo long story short I left there at 3:55 so keep in mind having a appointment to them means nothing.Plus they get mad if you ask questions.I suggest you go to another DMV if possible and am 100% sure within 20 min of your appointment you will be out of there.

This is the worst DMV that I've been to. They had terrible customer service the moment that you get to the door. The lady Jeri at the door is extremely rude and made rude remarks. Then when I got to the desk Roseanna was also very rude and wasn't helpful. I asked her to speak to the manager 3 different times and she never got up to go and get a manager. I wouldn't handle any business at this location. They try their best to turn away customers.

Needed to renew my drivers license. Made a 10 am appt. Took written test, photo taken, paperwork done, out the door at 10:17. Very efficient.

Waste of time and women who don't wanna work. Came in to renew registrations. 14 of then did my business vehicles and they stated they couldn't do it cause it was too many transactions. They could le only do 3 at a time. Ok so let's do 3 at a time until the 14 are done. They said no it has to be mailed. But the problem is when I mail them they take a month to do and they expire before that. Complete waste of time and they need lessons in manners. I understand your a govt employee but doesn't give your the right to be a rude disrespecting piece of garage.

Had an appt at 9:30 am was told to go get smog come back and I would be helped. When I came back I had to wait in line all over again. Explained to the supervisor that I was told differently and she said oh well you have to wait in line. Smfh they are all rude!! No care for customer service!!

Worst customer service, DMV employee was very rude & unprofessional we had several transactions and it seemed getting him to work was an issue for him. 1st time here and never again will I come here, this employee "Rodrigo" thinks he has so much power of authority" no education at all. I will definitely file a formal complaint.

Thank you, Mandy for being so helpful & kind. I've never had a better DMV experience. I had a weird situation where they had to call Sacramento to clear it up ‍ As I was waiting for the feedback...I saw her treat every single person with kindness & understanding. Thank you, Mandy. Sorry I hope that's your name. Desk #7 around 3:00-4:30 on 10/28

You should go to High desert signings up the street. They can do renewals, registrations, and title changes.

Add a 2:30 appointment showed up at 2 330 later that day still about the same for my appointment I watch people getting lineup for the building and get service before me what's the point of an appointment if you don't realize it it's DMV. Seriously needs to be fixed. These people walk around like roosters in a hen coop. They are incompetent

I needed an extension for smog on my truck. I was told to go to Barstow DMV because the lines are short. I got there at 9:am and got in a line with about 18 people in front of me. We were lined up outside in the heat. It was to be 109 degrees this day. It must of already been up to 90 when I arrived. By 10:am 2 people had been allowed to enter, and it was getting warmer. I decided that 2 people an hour, I would be here until 6:pm. I decided to go to Victorville DMV. I arrived there about a quarter to 12. Got in line inside where it was cool. Waited about 15 minutes and got a number to be called to go to a window. Waited about an hour and my number was called, and out the door by 1:15. I would recommend going to Victorville DMV over Barstow. You can wait in an air conditioned building in Victorville or if you prefer Barstow, you can wait outside in the heat.

I've been to this location twice and made appointments both times. Both times my number wasn't called till 30-45 min AFTER my appointment time. I thought the first time might have been a fluke. Place is always busy, but I think they only dedicate one window to appointments and they go slow. Go somewhere else if you can.

I love this dessert DMV CA. I WENT IN FOR FOR 4 issue of my cars and driver license. They are professional the young men that help me is smart knowledgeable and the older lady that over looks the young men questions was much intelligent & knowledgeable,I love how they help each other to cleared my issue . Got out in just few minutes It's too far for me to drive but I definitely comes back here again if I had an issue , best dmv I had been

Very good experience here. The people who work here are friendly and helpful. The lines are short and if you make an appointment it is even faster. We were able to get 2 out of state cars smogged and registered in less than 2 hours.

If u deal with the girl her with the scar down the middle of her forehead she is the rudest most unpleasant person you will ever meet in your life, i have had the misfortune of dealing with her multiple times. Last time i was in here she was literally screaming at an elderly person who dropped their paperwork. I know govt. employees get away being unpleasant and incompetent but jesus christ.

If you have to go to the DMV, Barstow office is great. Efficient, friendly, and helpful, and fairly quick service. Hands down better than the Victorville location. Kevin

The old lady with the black, white and purple in her hair is beyond rude. I let her know my situation that I was deployed overseas and so was my husband and that is where we got married. I told her we got married on a U.S. installation but that our marriage certificate was in a foreign language but we got it notarized and translated by the SJA (station judge advocate) and that they accepted my forms of marriage at the U.S. embassy that's how I got my U.S armed forces I.D. with the name change and my new social security with my name change and she looked at me like I was the dumbest person in the world and told me we aren't going to accept your marriage certificate since it's in a foreign language. I told her in order to get my name change on my social the U.S. embassy requested to get my marriage license translated by a lawyer and the same forms I'm giving you today is the same forms I gave the embassy and they accepted it. Again she told we aren't accepting this because on my translated form it said this copy is just a translation and is not valid as a marriage license with out the original copy(the copy that's in the foreign language) I told her exactly. Since I have the two together the translated version is considered my marriage license. So then she was like we aren't going to accept this you need to go to a court and legalize your marriage. I told her sooo even though I got legally married in another country on a U.S. Installation with a judge and got the forms legally translated and a U.S embassy accepted the forms making my name change legal you mean to tell me I can't change it on my California I.D./license because I need to get remarried in the states?! Okayyyy. I went to another teller this young lady and she looked at it and was like yes we can take it. They are legal documents and the translated version is considered the marriage license as long as she has the original which she does. I was beyond mad and that old grump was pissed that I was right and she used my forms. I had to retake my picture and she made me wait 30 min just to take a pic. But I don't care. I got my name change and license.