Pasadena DMV
Address & directions
Services offered at this office
How to make an appointment here
Book through the official California DMV portal and pick Pasadena as your office; the portal also offers the Virtual Field Office for some transactions. See how to make a California DMV appointment for the step-by-step.
Routine appointments are usually available about a week out, but Saturday slots book 2–3 weeks ahead. Walk-ins are accepted for many counter transactions, though waits are longest at month-end and on Saturdays.
Wait times & best time to visit
Typical waits run around 25–35 minutes for appointment holders and longer for walk-ins, especially on Saturdays. You can compare nearby offices on our California DMV wait times page.
- Arrive 10–15 minutes before your appointment — arriving earlier won't get you called sooner.
- Avoid Saturdays and Mondays if you have flexibility; both are the busiest.
- Quietest windows are mid-week afternoons, roughly 1:30–3:00 PM.
- The Wednesday 9 AM opening means Wednesday morning starts with a backlog.
What to bring
Documents depend on the transaction. The fastest path is our interactive document checklist generator, or browse topic-specific guides:
- REAL ID document checklist — first-time REAL ID applicants.
- First-time driver's license documents.
- New California resident documents.
- Documents for non-citizens and AB 60 applicants.
Payment: this office accepts cash, check, debit, and credit card (a small surcharge applies to credit).
Languages & accessibility
Staff routinely serve English, Spanish, and Mandarin speakers. For other languages, request an interpreter when you book — at least 5 business days ahead.
The office is ADA-compliant, with wheelchair-accessible entrances, restrooms, and designated parking close to the door. Service animals are welcome.
Parking & public transit
Parking. A free on-site lot wraps the building and usually has space outside month-end peaks. Additional street parking is available along Rosemead Boulevard.
Transit. The Metro A Line's Sierra Madre Villa station is about a 12-minute walk, and several Metro and Pasadena Transit bus lines stop near Rosemead and Colorado.
Rideshare. Have your driver drop you at the Rosemead Boulevard entrance; the lot entrance can back up during Saturday hours.
Other DMV offices nearby
Other ways to get this done
Renewals, change of address, and fee payments don't need an office visit.
AAA members can complete many registration tasks at a branch.