I had an appointment Friday, Nov 8, 8:20AM here to get my Real ID, an appointment made many months ago online. I was really pleased with the process and the staff and speediness, with two exceptions, which I'll describe below.
As noted in the earlier Yelp Real ID reviews, there are several steps, screenings, waiting, numbers called, counters, and things to do, but I moved from stage to stage fairly quickly and efficiently, probably because I had an early morning appointment. Lines were minimal, numbers called quickly, and there was plenty of parking.
First problem, the application you fill out online at a terminal in the back left is not well written or organized, and is confusing as to what various terms and questions mean. Are you updating? Correcting? Getting new ID? Wasn't clear. It required me asking the young staff guy standing there by the workstations several questions. He was friendly, super calm and professional as he helped me at the terminal, corrected my entries, and helped everyone else. Five stars for him.
The woman who first screened me at the DMV entrance was pleasant, smiling, and offered the suggestion that it is better to have mailing address as Real ID address than a residence to protect privacy and identity. I didn't know you could have a mailing address on the ID -- that seemed much better, although I wasn't sure I had brought the right paperwork for that. Five stars for her.
The middle-aged staff guy at Window 04 next to my place at 03 was helping a young woman who seemed a bit clueless. He was patient, respectful, and gave clear answers to her questions. Five stars for him.
The young woman who took my photo was great. We laughed, she had a great sense of humor, was responsive and good-natured. Five stars for her. Another guy at a counter I asked a quick question about directions was pleasant and helpful. He gets five stars. And five stars for the senior manager and supervisors who designed this system and keep the whole thing running smoothly.
Sadly, the young woman who did the final and most onerous step at Window 03 at the back right gets no stars, only lumps of coal.
I walked up to 03 and smiled. "Why are you here?" she growled. I said I was getting my Real ID. "I need your documents." I handed my manila folder to her. "Don't hand me the folder. I can't take the whole folder." Abashed, I took it back and handed her my passport. More sullenness. Then my Social Security card. "Don't reach over the counter with your hands." From that point on, I wordlessly put each item on the counter for her to take.
Then followed a discussion about my wanting my mailing address on the ID, which requires two items with mailing address AND two with residence, which ultimately I didn't have with me, but I wasn't going to cancel and start over months from now. OK, so no problem. But her attitude and comments were disrespectful and antagonistic as she tried to understand which was my home address and which was my mailing address, and what documents would support each. She couldn't understand my 1099, kept getting my address confused with the issuing company address.
And it turns out a California Tax Return and Federal Tax return do NOT count as two separate documents. She argued to me that they were both going to the same entity, which clearly they were not. I was surprised an employee with that task didn't understand the difference. She said she would ask a supervisor, and came back saying the two documents did not count as two. OK. Fine.
I came away upset by my interaction with this young woman -- it was all so unnecessary on her part, especially given the camaraderie and professionalism I experienced with everyone else there. Taped to the back of her chair was a white sheet of paper with her name scrawled in pink marker. (Useful in case I decide to contact a supervisor later.)
I was briefly in Yugoslavia when it was behind the Iron Curtain, and this incident recalled the kind of service I received then. Like checking in to a hotel in Belgrade, or trying to get through the border check in Soviet-controlled Moldova. Or even like the DMV days of yore. (And of course, the US Department of Homeland Security is getting all my data.)
I strongly recommend using the Claremont Ave. DMV to get your Real ID, l although I would advise avoiding Window 03 DMV employee if possible, one who would benefit from some training in how to deal with the public in providing an important service. Otherwise, kudos to the entire team! And I got my Real ID with my home address, which I can always update later, hopefully less painfully.
Sunday, Nov 10, 2019 · 11:57:01 PM +00:00 · SusanneH
UPDATE Sunday 11/10. One of the comments below suggested the Passport Card. I looked into it, it’s $35 using your current passport, is valid for domestic travel (only), and meets new TSA requirements. This makes much more sense, and had I known, I would have done this instead of the Real ID Drivers License paperwork and hassle at the California DMV.