The College Review

Denton Department of Public Safety and Department of Motor Vehicles

I would like to write about Denton Department of Public Safety and Department of Motor Vehicles. This Department is opened Monday through Friday, from 8am to 5pm. It offers both online services and services by appointment. The list of services which are offered in the department building by an appointment include, but not limited to: Issuing and renewing driver's license, issuing and renewing of identification cards, ability to complete the written test, ability to make an appointment for the road test (also can be done online), etc. Additionally, this department office is equipped for people with disabilities, it is wheelchair accessible and has disabled parking spaces. Cash, credit card, check, and money order are accepted as payment types. Department office is closed for New Year's, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, July Fourth, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, day after Thanksgiving, Christmas. The list of services that are available online is huge, starting from sex offenders search and detailed information about breath alcohol testing and ending with changing information on the driver's license or ID or renewing it.

When entering the office, a clerk at the front desk will greet you and ask what kind of services you need today. Next, you will be asked to fill in the application depending of the reason of your visit. Afterwards, you will be handed the ticket with the number. Based on my personal experience, the average wait time in the line is about two hours. Employees take their time and do not rush to help as many people as they can. Sometimes, employees leave their working desks to talk to someone if there are any questions that they cannot answer; usually, it takes about 15-20 minutes. There are about 8 windows, but about 6 of them are working, because some employees either took a break or

There are plenty of chairs in the building, but most of the time all of them are occupied. People have to either stand, wait outside, wait in the car, or even leave. I have seen a few instances when people just left and never came back. There is an AC working inside of the building, which keeps the department cool. Also, there are two gender separated bathrooms which are occupied all the time.

I would rate this place 2/5 just because employees are very slow, and people at the front desk are not the most exited and friendly people I have ever seen. 4/5 times me visiting the office, I have not been greeted by a clerk, and most of the time they were extremely rude. Sometimes, they are even absent, and I would have to wait until someone gets back just to receive the ticket with a number on it.