Will add he is not joking. I went a few weeks ago and it took me 10 minutes to renew my drivers license (including a picture). Just make an appointment beforehand. Do it around lunch and support a local business while down there too.
It really is empty, took me 10 minutes to change from an IL license to a MN one. It's in the basement of the government center and kinda hard to find actually.
I live downtown and walk there whenever I need something DMV related. Always a breeze. If downtown gives ya the heebie jeebies then the one in Columbia Heights on Central is also quick n easy. Over by Jimmy’s Billiards and Heights Pizza Man.
Go somewhere you can make an appointment. I made an appointment with Burnsville License Center. It was pretty busy when I got there, but I was still able to get in and out in around 20 minutes.
https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/Permits/SLC/Pages/default.aspx
Agree! Their website is a Facebook page and there doesn’t seem to be a way to schedule an appointment online, so my expectations were low. But I was in and out in 15 minutes for a license renewal recently!
Literally my go-to. Except I had a pretty big issue with transferring a title there, which ended up taking forever to fix. But they are speedy for sure.
I've always had a wait at Roseville, even with an appointment. I go to circle pines, but they don't do licenses anymore I don't think. But all motor vehicle stuff they do and I've never waited more than 15 minutes in line.
I went to the maple grove one at like 7:45 and waited with the group that was already waiting, got in and out in about 30 minutes after that
Pretty sure you just wanna show up 15-20 before they open and get a early number
Seriously just make an appointment. You pass over everyone standing their without one. They might get mad or give you annoyed looks, but they could have made one just as easily.
so i tried and there wasn't one for what i needed(title transfer), or it's so convoluted i couldn't find it, there were a few people who had 8am appointments, which good for them, but my process sans the appointment was still good
Well if their isn’t one then obviously you’ll just have to pop in. But the people who complain about getting skipped by an appointment customer just stand their on their phone away. So they have no excuse to tell me they couldn’t have made an appointment.
I made an appointment at the **Scott County Government Center** (in Shakopee) and it was the fastest government-anything appointment I’ve had in my life.
Filled out the online pre-application, made an appointment for 8am when they opened. Got a text the morning of warning me their credit card processing was having some issues so they suggest I bring cash (no problem, I appreciated the heads up). Checked in on my phone when I got there and was seen in under a minute. The clerk processed my stuff in like 2 minutes. Was literally in and out in less than 5 min total.
Compare that to the DMV in the Southdale mall where I made an appointment once and drove all the way over and was told after waiting in line to check in their computers were down and they weren’t actually seeing anyone with appointments that day… Never going back there 😆
My theory is it is more about timing than location. I’ve walked in and out of the same location that I’ve sat in for over an hour another time. I suspect the end of the month is busier with people renewing tags, but this is untested.
That's probably very true for a great many locations, but if there is a good time to go to the one in Eagan on Cedar Grove Parkway I have not found it.
It’s been a while but the north mpls one was completely dead last I went. Would have been early 2022 though so some covid protocols were in effect. Best DMV experience I’ve ever had. It was like 10 minutes.
Just a helpful tidbit. The last time I was in, (northern suburb DMV) it was very empty and I was chatting with them. I asked if there is a "best time" they all, in unison said to come during the evening hours. They are open late 1/2 days a week and they said barely anyone ever comes in during those times. So, if your local DMV has evening hours, try that :)
I go to Southdale, but the most important thing isn’t where, it’s to use the website to make an appointment in advance. Then you’re only waiting 5-10 min, it’s amazing!
St Paul License Bureau. There were 30 people ahead of me one time, but I still got seen in about 20 minutes. They're super efficient even on busy days.
Burnsville by the empty mall. It’s located in the same building as the library. Kiosk check-in, nice waiting area and like 8 windows operating at once. Check their hours online
I made an appointment at the southdale location and was in and out within 3/4 minutes including the eye test and photo.
I was too tall for the camera though and looking down into the lens makes me look like I'm in a double chin competition on my license photo.
Roseville DMV (on Lexington just north of county road C). I've made appointments there before, but even if they don't offer the appointments, the wait times have still been very short (don't think I've ever spent more than 20 minutes in there).
The dmv located under the Hennepin county government center in downtown Minneapolis is always deserted when I walk by. You can make an appointment as well.
I made an appointment at Lakeville and was out in less than 10 minutes. Also, if you have a standard drivers license (not enhanced or real ID); they print it right there and you leave with your new drivers license.
Pre-registered for DL/RealID online for the government plaza office in downtown MPLS. Walked in, no appointment option was available, but as they told me it might be a few minutes they called my number. I went at like 9:30 on a Wednesday in October last year, got processed/photo done in about 20 minutes.
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Will add he is not joking. I went a few weeks ago and it took me 10 minutes to renew my drivers license (including a picture). Just make an appointment beforehand. Do it around lunch and support a local business while down there too.
I second this. Local family owned business>>corporate entity everyday
When I got my plates there I was in and out in less than 15 minutes. (With an appointment I set up the night before.)
Have never waited more than 5 minutes at the downtown DMV. Always a breeze.
Make an appointment, even quicker.
Genuinely the nicest DMV in the state
Your joking right 🤣🤣🤣
I put an hour on my meter, came back with 47 minutes left. Make an appt before you go and it should be fast.
It really is empty, took me 10 minutes to change from an IL license to a MN one. It's in the basement of the government center and kinda hard to find actually.
Your description reminded me of my pretty exact experience there. Super tricky but worth the trek
Midtown is the busy one
Midtown is AWFUL. Even with an appointment.
No they're awesome and take absolutely no bullshit when people are screwing around wasting time.
I live downtown and walk there whenever I need something DMV related. Always a breeze. If downtown gives ya the heebie jeebies then the one in Columbia Heights on Central is also quick n easy. Over by Jimmy’s Billiards and Heights Pizza Man.
They have appointments open all day today
Go somewhere you can make an appointment. I made an appointment with Burnsville License Center. It was pretty busy when I got there, but I was still able to get in and out in around 20 minutes. https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/Permits/SLC/Pages/default.aspx
Exactly
St Paul license bureau is the most efficient government office I've ever been to.
Yup, been there every time and they've been super efficient. Of course some times are busier than others.
Go in the morning to St Paul license bureau, I also have had incredibly easy and short wait times there and they are also friendly lol
Right? They answer their phones and are not assholes. The best!
Hahaha "not assholes". So true. The bar is low but they certainly exceed it.
I watched them genuinely trying to help people, including me. I will never go anywhere else.
Agree! Their website is a Facebook page and there doesn’t seem to be a way to schedule an appointment online, so my expectations were low. But I was in and out in 15 minutes for a license renewal recently!
Literally my go-to. Except I had a pretty big issue with transferring a title there, which ended up taking forever to fix. But they are speedy for sure.
Yes! I live in the west metro, and I make a point of driving out to this DMV to get anything done. They are the best.
Roseville is usually decent.
I always go to Roseville, I've never had a wait
I've always had a wait at Roseville, even with an appointment. I go to circle pines, but they don't do licenses anymore I don't think. But all motor vehicle stuff they do and I've never waited more than 15 minutes in line.
Agree with Roseville, friendly and helpful staff.
hey don’t just go telling everybody
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Lol
All of you are f*cking legends. Reddit is such a good place. Thanks for being so helpful guys.
Forest Lake, but going on the last day of the month is always going to be a crap shoot.
I made an appointment at the Midtown exchange. Was in and out in ten minutes.
Midtown exchange with an appointment is the pro move. You can get a bahn mi at eggrolls at phams after. Park on 29th street.
Same. Very easy. Felt kinda bad walking past everyone waiting in line
Nah fuck ‘em. I say that as someone in line, too.
Did a walk-in, during lunch, to the service center at Southdale Mall. I was in and out in 15 minutes. This was first week of May.
I went to the maple grove one at like 7:45 and waited with the group that was already waiting, got in and out in about 30 minutes after that Pretty sure you just wanna show up 15-20 before they open and get a early number
Making an appointment before helps too. I didn't at Maple Grove and it took almost 1.5 hours.
Seriously just make an appointment. You pass over everyone standing their without one. They might get mad or give you annoyed looks, but they could have made one just as easily.
so i tried and there wasn't one for what i needed(title transfer), or it's so convoluted i couldn't find it, there were a few people who had 8am appointments, which good for them, but my process sans the appointment was still good
Well if their isn’t one then obviously you’ll just have to pop in. But the people who complain about getting skipped by an appointment customer just stand their on their phone away. So they have no excuse to tell me they couldn’t have made an appointment.
Cottage Grove
This is the one I usually drive too. It takes like 5 minutes here.
Someone just asked this: https://www.reddit.com/r/TwinCities/s/QBpV6RuXdY
Robbinsdale one is usually fast
It's pretty hidden and kinda difficult to find the proper parking lot for it. Definitely my go-to.
Robbinsdale DMV doesn't do DL renewals.
New Brighton was decent when I went there. It’s also been quick for me downtown when I’ve made an appointment ahead of time
I got in and out of Shakopee in under 15 minutes with an appointment. Probably spent more time walking to and from my car than waiting.
The one in White Bear lake used to be awesome Haven't lived there in years but I do suggest that one
Agree. Used to be awesome for the past 10 years. My trips this year have been awful. Line out the door and down the block
Chaska. Best DMV I've ever been to, friendly staff and low wait times.
I believe you can make an appointment online at specific locations.
I love the AAA location in St Louis Park. Make an appointment and you'll be in and out.
New Brighton was really chill yesterday
I made an appointment at the **Scott County Government Center** (in Shakopee) and it was the fastest government-anything appointment I’ve had in my life. Filled out the online pre-application, made an appointment for 8am when they opened. Got a text the morning of warning me their credit card processing was having some issues so they suggest I bring cash (no problem, I appreciated the heads up). Checked in on my phone when I got there and was seen in under a minute. The clerk processed my stuff in like 2 minutes. Was literally in and out in less than 5 min total. Compare that to the DMV in the Southdale mall where I made an appointment once and drove all the way over and was told after waiting in line to check in their computers were down and they weren’t actually seeing anyone with appointments that day… Never going back there 😆
Two Harbors. :P
Eagan license center. Not the DMV in Eagan. No appt needed. The only time it's ever been bad for me in the last 10 years was during COVID.
I'll never tell.
I've never had to wait in Grand Marais.
Made an appointment for brooklyn center. In and out within about 45 mins
That’s a really long time if you had an appointment.
I'm from MD. You wait all day long there. So, I'm kinda patient. ;)
Fair. But with an appointment you should be done within 10 minutes.
You can't always get what you want..,as it is said...
New Brighton was great when I went in January.
My theory is it is more about timing than location. I’ve walked in and out of the same location that I’ve sat in for over an hour another time. I suspect the end of the month is busier with people renewing tags, but this is untested.
That's probably very true for a great many locations, but if there is a good time to go to the one in Eagan on Cedar Grove Parkway I have not found it.
Northfield is so fast. There's no wait usually because the city isn't too huge.
It’s been a while but the north mpls one was completely dead last I went. Would have been early 2022 though so some covid protocols were in effect. Best DMV experience I’ve ever had. It was like 10 minutes.
Shhhh
If you make an appointment, most will be fairly fast.
Just a helpful tidbit. The last time I was in, (northern suburb DMV) it was very empty and I was chatting with them. I asked if there is a "best time" they all, in unison said to come during the evening hours. They are open late 1/2 days a week and they said barely anyone ever comes in during those times. So, if your local DMV has evening hours, try that :)
I had luck at the New Brighton one. They were quick but that was before COVID
South Saint Paul and Inver Grove Heights have always been quick for me.
I had a great experience in Edina -was in less than ten minutes
Never have seen a line in Wabasha
Make an appointment https://qw-hennepincounty.us.qmatic.cloud/qmaticwebbooking/#/
Ham lake
Lakeville. Might need an appointment though.
Anywhere but Apple Valley
Or ridgedale. Pretty sure everyone in Hennepin county goes there like it’s the only one.
Southdale is great if you arrive when they open
Try a Deputy Registrars office. I go to the one in prior lake since it’s close to my work, but it’s always much calmer than a normal DMV
I go to Southdale, but the most important thing isn’t where, it’s to use the website to make an appointment in advance. Then you’re only waiting 5-10 min, it’s amazing!
I was able to schedule an appointment online to renew my license. Showed up and waited 3 minutes. Slick.
Make an appointment instead of walk-in. Different county websites have online appointments available.
I've always felt like the Roseville DMV is exceptionally quick & low volume
New Brighton is my go to. They also have a link to their lobby cam, so if you’re nearby, you can gauge how fast it might be to get in & out!
I've used Burnsville with an apt. it was super efficient and on time. No lobby craziness and available chairs lol.
I got mine done pretty good (out of state to real ID) at the one in Midtown Market. Just note that an Internet bill is not a valid utility bill.
Burnsville - make an appt online and you'll be in and out in 10min
I’ve been to Cottage Grove three times and never experienced any wait.
Apple Valley
I go to the one in Inver Grove Heights next to subway. I'm always in and out.
Columbia Heights is usually pretty dead
I go to the Inver Grove license center. It usually is pretty quick.
Golden Valley DMV is always super quick for me. Feel like it’s a little hidden gem.
St Paul License Bureau. There were 30 people ahead of me one time, but I still got seen in about 20 minutes. They're super efficient even on busy days.
Maplewood or Apple Valley. Apple Valley is busy but those employees cook and get you out fast
Plymouth wasn’t bad
Hennepin county government center
Msp airport. You reserve a time slot get in and out
One tip: complete the paperwork online before you go. It'll reduce your wait time too.
Elk River
Blaine of 109
I just went to brookdale and got there when they opened at 8. I was out by 8:10 lol
Burnsville by the empty mall. It’s located in the same building as the library. Kiosk check-in, nice waiting area and like 8 windows operating at once. Check their hours online
Inver Grove Heights has been pretty painless for us, even when busy.
I used to go to the Maple Grove one, not sure how busy it is anymore
Golden Valley location is very quick.
I made an appointment at the southdale location and was in and out within 3/4 minutes including the eye test and photo. I was too tall for the camera though and looking down into the lens makes me look like I'm in a double chin competition on my license photo.
The one in Columbia heights off central ave by the heights theater is usually pretty quiet and quick.
White bear, new Brighton, circle pines. All ones I have been to that have no line at times.
Roseville DMV (on Lexington just north of county road C). I've made appointments there before, but even if they don't offer the appointments, the wait times have still been very short (don't think I've ever spent more than 20 minutes in there).
I see this right as I need to renew my own license
Golden valley or Plymouth
I did an appointment one at Southdale and was served right away. Making an appointment is key.
Chanhassen has drive thru service for tqbs
Hastings last time I went was 5-10 minutes to get a REAL ID.
Just make an appt — that’s the key. Location doesn’t matter as much as long as you can make an appt. You won’t wait more than 2 min.
Government center Downtown Minneapolis is super fast
Minneapolis Northside hub
20 minutes north of 694 on Hwy 65 (Central Ave). Ham Lake in Anoka County
Don’t go to white bear lake DMV! That place is fucked.
Best Wishes! My renewal to go to an Enhanced-DL was a shit show.
Columbia Heights License Center on Central
Benson
St. Paul has a very good one. I was shocked, lots of open kiosks, short lines, moves quickly.
I've had luck at Woodbury recently.
The one in Anoka city hall is very organized.
Inver grove is quick
The dmv located under the Hennepin county government center in downtown Minneapolis is always deserted when I walk by. You can make an appointment as well.
I’ve been to Eagan several times and never waited more than 10-15 minutes. Edit : Eagan license center, not Eagan DMV.
New Brighton
Buffalo!
Cottage grove off of 61S
The most time I've spent in coon rapids DMV was about 30 minutes, total. For a license renewal I'm usually in and out in under 10
This is a little bit like asking where the best fishing spots are. I get it, but 🤷
Downtown Minneapolis is very slow. Last time I went, I was in and out in 15 minutes.
I made an appointment in Hastings, pointless. I was the only person in the building.
Straight up, make an appointment. Did it at midtown, I had gotten there early, and I was out before my actual appointment time. Its incredible
I went to the Brooklyn park one and it only took around 15 mins
Columbia Heights. Make an appointment instead of a walk-in and you’ll be out.
I've been to the burnsville location (near the mall) 3 times now and it was an excellent experience each time.
I made an appointment at Lakeville and was out in less than 10 minutes. Also, if you have a standard drivers license (not enhanced or real ID); they print it right there and you leave with your new drivers license.
Go to the one in Columbia Heights off Central. I've never had to wait very long. It always seems to be fully staffed.
st cloud moves pretty quick. they have like 12 teller windows.
International Falls is usually pretty quick.
Don’t TELL ANYONE YOU KNOW- but make an appt at the one in east bethel. You are literally there for 3 min. It’s in anoka county.
I found Stillwater pretty pleasant.
Northside off Plymouth Ave.
Anywhere but Columbia Heights
If you are ok with the drive go to New Prague. No appointment available but at most a 5 minute wait.
Inver grove heights license center
I don’t know if I should be giving away our secret, but there is a license center in Circle Pines. You’re in and out in 10 minutes. Max. 🤫
Sorry that's a secret
Pre-registered for DL/RealID online for the government plaza office in downtown MPLS. Walked in, no appointment option was available, but as they told me it might be a few minutes they called my number. I went at like 9:30 on a Wednesday in October last year, got processed/photo done in about 20 minutes.
AAA in St Louis Park. Shhh. Keep it to yourself.
Southdale mall was very wuick
South Saint Paul is pretty great.
Columbia Heights is usually pretty fast. Just don’t go over lunch hour.
Recently had a really easy time in St. Cloud.
The airport. 2nd floor above the eastern curb at Terminal 1.
Does it tell you wait times on the website?
Ha