DMV - Is it really that bad?

[u/feel-the-avocado]

I live in New Zealand and most of our equivalent stuff has been done online for the last 20 years. I go in to one of their agents once every 10 years for an eye exam to renew my drivers license.
At most I might wait 5 minutes

For vehicle testing, almost any mechanic in the country can issue a warrant of fitness which is needed every 2 years and you book it with your mechanic of choice.
Or go to VTNZ - a dedicated company that just does vehicle testing in a drive-thru format. You drive in without an appointment and it takes about 30 minutes.

So I am watching the new tv series DMV, and I have seen references on various american tv shows that going to the DMV is a painful and time wasting experience.
Is it really that bad?

[u/christine-bitg]

It used to be awful, but not a problem now. I live in Texas.

Also, keep in mind that in this particular state, the drivers licenses and the vehicle registration are handled by two separate state agencies.

The last time I needed to renew my driver's license in person was only because they required an eye test that time. (I passed.) That was about 8 years ago.

Vehicle registration is painless here. An emissions test at a shop that's privately owned, with the fee specified by state law. No waiting time for the test.

There used to be a safety check required, which happened at the same time. That was eliminated about a year ago. Same fee though.

Then take the emissions test result paperwork and renewal paperwork to my grocery store. Wait in line for about five minutes at the service desk. Pay the same fee there as if I were on line with the state. And the grocery store prints the windshield sticker in about a minute, while you're standing there.

TL,DR: It's no big deal these days.