Nobody likes going to the DMV, but in certain circumstances it's impossible to avoid. That said, a few tricks make the experience a little more pleasant. Let's take a look at how to get out of the DMV with your sanity still intact.

Make Sure You Actually Have to Go to the DMV

 

You don't actually have to go to the DMV for much these days. In fact, in a lot of states most recurring tasks can be completed online, including, renewing your ID, renewing license plates, requesting your driving record, change of address, and more.

 

To figure out what your DMV can do online, head to your state's official DMV site and search around (for example, California has a whole section dedicated to online services). In some cases you have to fill out the online paperwork earlier than you would on site, so make sure you give yourself enough time.

Gather All the Paperwork You Need

 

Depending on what you're doing at the DMV you need different paperwork, but thankfully most DMV's list exactly what you need on their web sites. For example, if you just purchased a used car you need the title, a bill of sale, the reading on the odometer, a passing emissions test (in some states), and the DMV clerk may need to check the VIN number on the vehicle.

 

In other cases, like getting an ID, you'll need several forms of identification (Social Security card, old ID card, passport, etc), as well as a proof of address (utility bill, credit card payment, bank statement, etc). Your DMV may also only accept check and cash, so make sure you have the correct payment with you as well. Basically, if you're walking into the DMV empty-handed, you're probably doing it wrong, so do a little research ahead of time to make sure you have what you need with you. Photo by Oregon Department of Transportation.

Research the Best Times and DMV Locations in Your City

 

Every DMV is a little different, but most of them list their best times for short waits on their website. As far as daily is concerned this is usually earlier in the morning (between 8-11 am), or later in the afternoon after the lunch rush (from around 2-4 pm). That said, certain parts of the month are a bad time to go to the DMV regardless of where you live:

 

• Avoid the beginning and end of the month: Since vehicle registrations and IDs expire at the end of the month, it's usually the busiest time at the DMV because people wait until the last minute to take care of their business. Go in the middle of the month instead.
• Avoid the day before or after a holiday: The days right before or after a holiday are traditionally busy because the DMV was closed for a day.
• Don't go on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays: For many DMV offices, your best bet for fast service is to hit up the office on Wednesday or Thursday. The beginning and end of the week it traditionally the busiest time.

If you live in a city where you have multiple DMV's to choose from (or you can travel a short distance to another city), check and see which has the best ratings online on a service like Yelpor Google Places. Chances are, the smaller the town, the faster you can take care of your business. Photo by Michael Ocampo.

Give Yourself Plenty of Time and Do Something Productive While You Wait

 

When it boils down to it, the DMV is a wild and unpredictable place. While you can certainly certain increase you chances of getting through with your sanity intact by visiting at the right time of the day and with all the paperwork you need, you're probably still going to get stuck there for a while. So, plan on spending a good amount of time there. Eat some breakfast (or lunch), don't schedule any meetings, and just expect it to take a while.

 

We're naturally adverse to waiting in lineand being in them makes use feel like we're wasting our lives away. The best thing you can do while waiting? Occupy your time with something useful. Treat the whole DMV waiting process like a long car ride. Learn a new skill, read a book, catch up on podcasts, or just enjoy the time away from the office. If you're still bored, don't forget that it's pretty easy to kill time productively on your phone. Photo by Sarah Stierch.