I hope the express branch near 34th will be useful tomorrow. I've been getting notices from DMV that my insurance card has the wrong numbers. I sent the correct paper work in (again!) and they rejected me saying the form were wrong because they weren't originals. So much red tape to prove I have legitimate insurance. Good grief!

TM

I've been trying to trade in my NJ license for weeks now, but since I'm a "Jr.," and not all of my backup ID represents that, I'm screwed. I hate this garbage.

I just traded in my MN driver's license this past Tuesday at the Harlem DMV at 125th and Lexington. I was amazed at the quick, efficient and pleasant service especially when compared to the overall crappiness of MN's DMV. Plus it only cost me $40.

try transferring a Massachusetts license (which don't have a date of issue on them). you actually have to get MA to send you a written driving record.

three trips to the DMV, two weeks, and $65 later i got my shitty NYS DL.

From http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/ethrum.htm, License Express on West 34th: "*Service Limited To: New York State license & vehicle registration renewals & duplicates & license plate surrenders ONLY. No boat or snowmobile renewals. No out-of-state license exchanges. No permit renewals."

i think it's so sweet that everyone is supporting our local DMVs! i think they've got a bad rap. when i had to renew my license last month, they actually sent me everything by mail, and i just filled out the form, gave my credit card number, and they processed everything and sent me a new license.

one other thing to note: whether you go in person or do it by mail, everyone should signs the forms for organ donation- or fill out the box on the back of the license- it's an easy and important way to help out fellow new yorkers. and trust me- you won't feel a thing.

If you're getting a new NY license, double-check before you go to a license express location. Last time I checked, it was only for renewals, and that you couldn't get a new license there. When I went to the lower Manhattan branch last spring, I printed out forms in advance and got there as soon as it opened. I was in and out in under 30 minutes. It was painless and the people were very nice.

the dmv at herald square is murder too.. as i found out recently when my CA drivers license expired. i dont remember it being $50 .. i think mine was less. also, it felt strange renewing a drivers license when i havent actually driven a car since september 2001.

License X-press is awesome. I downloaded the forms for license renewal, filled them out and was in and out of the DMV in 10 minutes (around 10am on a Tuesday morning).

due to an unfortunate incident involving unreturned license plates from a few years ago, last year i got to do a "consumer study" of various nyc dmv offices. downtown manhattan is by far the best (perhaps due to lower number of residents with cars in that neighboorhood?), downtown brooklyn is THE WORST, and license xpress is good choice depending on time of day.

oh and if you ever, say, move to new jersey for a year or two, be sure to return those license plates or you'll come back to find that your new york license has been "suspended" the whole time you had a valid nj one.

Perfect, Jen! My license expires in a month and I was dreading a visit to the DMV, based on all the tales of horror I had heard. Lots of good tips here.

After I moved from Indiana, I got a NY license at the branch in Brooklyn. (Not the mall branch, but the pre-mall office.) I checked on the Web to see what documents I needed, and found out about the Social Security card, so I took care of that first.

When the Soc Sec card arrived, I went back to the Web and printed out all the forms and filled as much in at home as I could and then went back to Brooklyn DMV.

I was in and out in 20 minutes, which is nothing compared to the 3+ hours I once spent in an Indiana license branch.

Acutally, the last time I actually went to the DMV (the one in Lower Manhattan-- Church St?) there were no lines and I was out in minutes.

I highly recommend License Xpress. Next to a subway stop. One line for photos, wait for your number to be called and go to the desk. I was there at 6 PM on a summer Mon. or Wed. and it took about 30 min.

The saving grace is it's $50 total for eight years, which is a pittance on a per year basis.

After hearing horror stories I brought food, water and reading material to the new DMV office on 125th St. this summer when I renewed my expired license. Unlike Sam in Brooklyn there were no lines. In fact, they called my number before I had a chance to fill out the renewal form! I rushed up to the desk, unfinished form in hand, and was told to take my time and come up to the desk when I was ready. The entire visit took 15 minutes, five of which were spent chatting with the person behind the counter, and was a very pleasant experience.

i was appauled when i got my "you must renbew you driver's license" letter last month and discovered that it cost $50! fifty bucks for the 3 times that i actually drive in a year. it's like paying an additional tax on alcohol, as that's all i ever use my license for these days.