[charwalker]

The DMV is motivated to be efficient because it's the only shop in town and people who have to use it will make noise when it sucks. But they may not pursue efficiency because they are the only shop in town unless pressured.

In Oregon they seem to care. I've never spent more than 25 minutes in line and often been out the door in under 20 minutes even with complex forms to complete. They often have someone near the door to check your needs and get you the right form as you take a number so when you get to the window you're set to submit your form, pay any fees, then leave vs sitting down again to start the form or something. Oregon has it figured out.

Washington though, they have private offices running all aspects in separate locations ex emissions test up the highway, licensing across town, and vehicle registration down south. It took me over 3 hours to register my car when I moved and the DMVs there only proceeded to be worse.