Wait time is up at DMV [Updated]

The average wait time for walk-in customers at Department of Motor Vehicles offices has increased from 27 minutes to 45 minutes since the governor ordered state workers to take three furlough days each month, according to a legislative review.

Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) said the longer lag time is unnecessary. Furloughs imposed starting in February do not save the general fund money, because the DMV is financed almost entirely with fees charged to motorists and with federal money, Steinberg said.

The report was released today by the Senate Office of Oversight and Outcomes.

“One of the governor’s biggest achievements that has made life a little easier for Californians was reducing long lines at the DMV and improving their services,” Steinberg said. “Now, without saving any money from the state’s budget, he has single-handedly wiped out those effective improvements.”

[Updated 2:58 p.m.: A spokesman for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger defended the furloughs against Steinberg’s criticism.

"It’s no secret that the Legislature does not share the governor’s commitment to reducing government spending," said spokesman Aaron McLear. "But just like every family and business in California, we must cut back."]

-- Patrick McGreevy in Sacramento

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Comments

[ferenc]

dmv is the worst gont agency in the world. employee sit aroun cleaning their nails as you watch them from the line.there is no hurry on their part. how about firing a few, to wake them up, along with steinberg, the big mouth do nothing?

[renr]

They have always been slow. its seems like a 1hr wait time is common. They are probably working slower on purpose to make it seem necessary to work them full time again. Another union trick.

[Cloud]

I've had to go to the DMV every year for the last 4, for various reasons. I've been to the offices in SM, Inglewood, and Culver City. Each time, the people have been helpful and friendly. I don't get the stereotype about the DMV being this horrible place. Given the number of people they serve, in my experience they do a great job. I wonder if people are just angry about having to wait in lines and they take it out on the whole Department? Anyway, it stands to reason that if you cut DMV staffing through furloughs, wait times will go up. People will get more irritated, and blame the DMV worker in front of them rather than the Governor who caused the problem.

[Rick]

I try to avoid the DMV as much as possible. I had to pay for my registration last week. I went to the Triple A office and did everything in like 10 minutes.

[Liliya]

I needed to renew my registration last week. I used my 1hr lunch to do it. I will have to say I made it back on time. So I really don't understand why they are saying that we are waiting longer.

I would however have to agree, that the majority of Gov agencies employees feel that their jobs are secured by unions, that they don't worry about doing their jobs to the best of their abilities. This is not a stereotype, it's simply reality.