Don't go to Grant Road DPS!!! Horrible.... (Houston, Austin: appointed, live in)

[ej326]

I needed to rant about my experience today at the Grant Rd DPS, so here it goes...

As a new Texas resident, I went there this morning to change my license, along with my daughter too! We waited for SEVEN HOURS to be seen...SEVEN HOURS FOLKS!!!!!!!! I have never in my life experienced such blatant ineptness on behalf of that staff. Is this how it is at every DPS station? I made sure with the main office in Austin that I had all essential paperwork for myself and daughter before I went, only to find out that at Grant Road, they do things "differently", and scoffed at the info I received from headquarters.

Learn from me to bring everything but the kitchen sink to the DPS; and, even if your minor child has a DL from another state- BE PREPARED for your child to have drivers ed certification from that state and they will have to take the road test AGAIN! this goes for all people under the age of 24???? WTH!!!!

I love Texas, but after today.....
I just am sooooooooo disappointed.......

[trbstang]

We've never had a problem at that location, I've had mine renewed and took both of my kids for their licenses and tests, but then we got there at 6:00 AM and were the first few people in line every time. I found that their system was much more efficient than others since they reviewed what you needed done first, made sure you had the proper paperwork filled out, and then put you in que for either a renewal, license test, or set up a driving test appointment. The lady even made an announcement encouraging everyone that did not come there to get some thing done (parents and other drivers bringing people for tests) to check their renewal dates because they could renew them while they are there, and not have to wait any additional time, since they are already there. Mine had just expired and I did not get a renewal notice, so it was a big blessing to me! DPS offices are usually bad, overworked, and crowded with people needing licenses all day long, but I found getting there EARLY is the key.

[westhou]

I went to the one on Townhurst last year and had no problems. I got there at 6:30 am and I was out of there by like 8:30 am. I made sure I had the proper paperwork before I went. I go there expecting a long wait so I just bring a good book with me.

[DJboutit]

Goto the one on West Airport & South Gessner you will be in and out in about 90 min

[ToyYot]

It would appear that key to happiness at the DPS is to go in with low expectations!

[Cabot]

I have always gone to the one on Grant Rd and getting there early is a must. It will still take a couple of hours no matter what. The last time I was there though they missed calling a whole segment of numbers of which I was one. Two or three of us complained and they said Oops, sorry, and then they moved us through pretty quickly.

[Thila]

I agree. The system is broken (at least in Houston) and it has been that way for some time. I live in Katy and make the trek out to Columbus because of long wait lines I have experienced here in town. (My longest wait in Columbus was 15 minutes).

Seriously, if a grocery store or any other business can figure out more checkers are needed during high demand hours then they are added as needed. It isn't rocket science. There must have been drastic budget cuts somewhere to create this mess. There are numerous threads about this problem.

[HoustonRonnie]

Originally Posted by Thila

I agree. The system is broken (at least in Houston) and it has been that way for some time. I live in Katy and make the trek out to Columbus because of long wait lines I have experienced here in town. (My longest wait in Columbus was 15 minutes).

Seriously, if a grocery store or any other business can figure out more checkers are needed during high demand hours then they are added as needed. It isn't rocket science. There must have been drastic budget cuts somewhere to create this mess. There are numerous threads about this problem.

+1000

It's a sad state of affairs when you have to drive to Columbus and it takes less time than going to the office closest to you home. I've done this myself. It's a joke. Last time I went, I drove to Alvin. After 45 minutes, the guy in the front of the line was still standing there. He told everyone that there were three women back there but only one of the computer terminals was working. WTF? I left.

Ronnie

[ej326]

I went there with low expectations and a pleasant attitude. But seriously, they lump in the people changing their state license to Texas, with ones from out of the country and new drivers on ONE number system! So, many people ahead of me taking the road test is what really held up the process. Those people should be called on another number, or, give them the test but call the next person to keep things moving (they stand over the person taking the 50 question test!). One worker did tell the crowd that this location is third busiest in the state and least staffed to accommodate the influx. But that still doesn't justify seven hours of waiting.

I am surprised that with everything here being bigger and better, that the DPS is run the way it is. Texas can raise the fees a bit to build bigger facilities and hire more workers. I am going to try West Airport & South Gessner for my daughter, and Thank God I can renew online in six years!

[HoustonRonnie]

There is one upside to going to the DPS office. The people watching is 1000+ better than the airport! All kinds of folks. And some show up with an entourage like it's a celebration. Particularly Latinos. It's like a rite of passage or something.

Ronnie