5 On Your Side

What's the fastest way to beat the DMV line? 5 On Your Side investigates

DMV Commissioner Wayne Goodwin shared five tips to avoid waiting for long periods at the DMV.

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By
Keely Arthur
, WRAL consumer reporter
RALEIGH, N.C. — For more than a year, WRAL 5 On Your Side has been on a mission to uncover the quickest way to the front of the line at the DMV.

WRAL 5 On Your Side reporter Keely Arthur sat down with DMV Commissioner Wayne Goodwin to gather his tips on avoiding the infamous wait times. Putting Goodwin’s advice to the test, Arthur visited three different offices in a single day to see just how swiftly she could get in.

Top tops to avoid wait times at the DMV

1. Book an appointment, check website early in the morning

Goodwin’s first suggestion is to try to secure an appointment. However, 5 On Your Side found that while most offices did offer appointments, the earliest available slots were often in January.

“Many canceled appointments become available on the website overnight, so be sure to check early in the morning,” Goodwin recommended.

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2. Consider the walk-in option

Most offices start accepting walk-ins at noon. You can, however, show up early. WRAL 5 On Your Side visited three different offices, and two out of the three had minimal to no wait time: Garner and Rocky Mount.

3. Avoid Mondays and Fridays

According to Goodwin, Mondays and Fridays tend to be the busiest days at the DMV.

4. Choose the right location

Utilize the DMV’s wait time tool to identify the least crowded offices. WRAL 5 On Your Side used this tool to find a short wait time in Garner, approximately 17 minutes. Drivers reported being served promptly without long delays. Goodwin also recommends exploring DMV offices outside the Raleigh and Charlotte metro areas, as these regions experience high population growth, leading to longer lines.

“We had been to another DMV weeks ago, and they were like ‘Good luck being seen, it’s not happening.’ We were only here in Garner for about an hour. It was super empty; we had a seat, there was none of the wrapping-around-the-building situation that usually occurs,” said Sophia Sachs, a satisfied customer.

Before the DMV

5. Use Q-Anywhere

While Q-Anywhere won’t expedite your entry, it can save you time waiting in line. By scanning a sandwich board outside the office, individuals in line can receive a message on their phone, holding their place in the queue. They’ll receive an alert when it’s their turn to enter, allowing them to make better use of their time.
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