As a longtime critic of “process flows” at businesses, the least likely of candidates has impressed me the most — the California Department of Motor Vehicles!
I received notice that my pretty new Lake Tahoe license plates had arrived, and I dreaded having to go to DMV to pick them up. (Yes, yes, I know I can make an appointment, but I was in the neighborhood and had plenty of reading material with me to pass the time.)
If you haven’t been to the 47th & Broadway DMV recently (it had been eight years for me, so maybe this isn’t so “recent”), their system has you get a number from the information desk, then wait until you are called.Â
It’s not one of those regular red “take a number” dispensers like at the deli, but they’re somehow coded depending on what your need is. My number was B206, but there were others with different letter and number sets. It all seemed so random at first, but people were being helped by the appropriate employees, and I was in and out within 15 minutes — including picking up my plates, giving them my address change, and finding out what I need to do to change my name.Â
An electronic banner sign on the wall showed that customers with appointments were waiting an average of two minutes, and those without were waiting an average of nine. Nobody seemed disgruntled in the least, in fact, most fellow customers seemed just as pleased as I was. Â
Has this become common practice at the other DMV offices, or did I just happen to catch them on a good day?  Â
The Sac Rag 
i’d like to point out that this is the Tahoe Park DMV. “Tahoe Parkers do it efficiently” is the license plate frame i’m trying to market to my neighbors.
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I have found myself needing to “stop by” the Broadway DMV a few times as of late, and I have to say I have had the same experience. In fact, just for giggles I made an appointment this last time and I was in and out in 6 minutes. It’s AMAZING! Dare I say even pleasant…It must be a sign of the apocolypse. Well, that and Nickelback.
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The DMV on Florin is supposed to be pretty good as well. Looks like a DMV-wide thing.
If the apocolypse feels this good, give me the end of the world every day.
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I’ve only been to Southern California DMV’s over the last few years but they all had that system as well. Even the older ones. Looks like a statewide improvement. Good on ya’, DMV.
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Does anyone know which “Take-A-Number” electronic sign system they purchased for California DMV offices so people don’t have to wait in lines anymore? I am interested in vendor name.
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Trisha: the Business, Transportation & Housing Agency oversees the DMV (among many other state agencies.) On their “about us” page, it lists the reduction in wait times at DMVs as one of their key accomplishments. I recommend contacting BT&H to find out more about their vendor — that would likely be your best avenue to pursue:
http://www.bth.ca.gov/aboutus/index.asp
Here’s the link to the BT&H page about the DMV with the Director’s name, which you can’t really find on dmv.ca.gov:
http://www.bth.ca.gov/depts/dmv.asp
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