Texas Department of Transportation (DMV/RMV) Customer Service

I called the Texas Department of Transportation because I am moving into the state next week, and my license happens to be coming up for renewal around the same time. Since I am moving into a new state, it makes sense to renew it there, especially since I will likely live there for the foreseeable future. However, I didn't know how to do it or what documents I would need in Texas. Therefore, I thought I would just call, and it would be easier to figure out what I needed that way. 

By the end of the phone call, I realized it might have been quicker just to drive to Texas and go down to a physical DMV. While the directory wasn't too bad, the customer service wait was atrocious, and the person I spoke to seemed tired. However, I eventually got what I needed; it just took me most of the afternoon to do it. I called around 2 p.m., so I don't know if it would have been better in the morning, but I wouldn't recommend calling in the afternoon if you want to get through quickly. 

When I dialed this number, it stated, "Thank you for calling the Texas driver's license customer service center. For Spanish Press 2." I waited for a while, and then it asked me for a Texas driver's license identification number. I chose no since I don't have one, and then it asked me to enter my mobile phone number followed by my date of birth. I don't know why since it won't find me in the system, but I did it anyway, and then it reminded me that "To visit a driver's license office, you must schedule a visit online."

Then it told me to listen to the following menu options: "If your driving privileges are suspended, press 1. If you are calling about a commercial license, press 2. If you're calling about a renewal or replacement, press 3. If you are a new applicant or new to Texas, press 4. If you are calling to schedule an appt or have experienced an issue with online services, press 5. If you are calling about the election identification services, press 6." I chose option 4 since it fit what I needed, but then it told me that if I wanted information about the required documents for a new driver's license or applicant, press 1, and if I needed to transfer my license, I could press 5.

I chose to press 5, and then it said if I wanted the information texted to me, press 1, or press 2 for no. This confused me because it didn't give me any information yet, so I chose no. Then it told me I could return to the main menu or speak to a representative. I chose to speak to a rep, but the wait time was 49 minutes, with no option for a callback. Once again, after leaving my phone on speaker for an hour while I worked, I did get to someone, but this was a miserable experience.