Summary of California Driver's License Actions
Click here for a complete look at Driver's License Actions during COVID-19 as of July 24, 2020.
DMV Reopens Remaining Field Offices to Public for Limited Services
Starting Thursday, June 11, 169 locations will serve customers with appointments
Behind-the-wheel tests not yet available; Customers encouraged to use online and expanded virtual services when possible
The California Department of Motor Vehicles on Thursday, June 11, will reopen its remaining field offices that were temporarily closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. With this phase of reopening, employees at 169 field offices will assist customers with current appointments at the specific office and limited transactions that require an in-person visit. Behind-the-wheel drive tests are not yet available, and the DMV continues to recommend that customers use its online services, expanded virtual services and other service channels to complete transactions, including eligible driver license and vehicle registration renewals. Click here for more information.
DMV Extends All Expiring Driver Licenses
Customers eligible to renew license online encouraged to do so
DMV Field Offices to Continue Serving the Public during the COVID-19 Outbreak
Essential services will continue by mail, through available online services, kiosks, virtually and other means. Virtual Field Office open for vehicle registration renewal, title transfers
Sacramento – The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is moving to offer Californians essential services online to continue processing critical transactions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Field offices will be temporarily closed to the public statewide beginning March 27 and reopen, virtually, on April 2. All in-office appointments at this time will be canceled. Customers are encouraged to check the dmv.ca.gov website for future appointment availability.
DMV online services will continue to be available at dmv.ca.gov. Customers can also take care of many tasks at the hundreds of kiosks throughout the state or through available local business partners. DMV’s customer service centers will continue to operate during normal business hours at 1-800-777-0133 or connecting via the live chat feature on the DMV website.
DMV field office employees will return on Wednesday, April 1 to process transactions and begin training on the DMV Virtual Field Office, which began in a limited pilot March 23. The Virtual Field Office gives customers the capability to take care of transactions that previously required an in-person office visit by virtually interacting with DMV staff. Beginning April 2, 2020, customers initially can complete vehicle title transfers and complex vehicle registration renewals by visiting virtual.dmv.ca.gov. The DMV will gradually add more transactions to continue to provide alternatives to an in-person office visit.
The DMV is concerned about the health and safety of its customers, including seniors and those at risk for COVID-19. Following deep cleaning of the offices, expansion of virtual services and development of new protocols, DMV will offer in-person services in each region. More updates on how DMV is addressing the needs of its customers will be announced soon on its website.
Californians who do not have an urgent need to go to a DMV field office should delay their visit, including those interested in applying for a REAL ID. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced that the REAL ID enforcement date is October 1, 2021, and customers who want a REAL ID will have an opportunity to apply at a later date.
The temporary closing of offices is the latest in a number of actions the DMV already has taken during the coronavirus pandemic, including:
- Requesting California law enforcement to exercise discretion, for 60 days beginning March 16, before issuing citations for driving with a recently expired license or vehicle registration.
- Instituting appointment-only service for transactions that require an in-office visit.
- Canceling all behind-the-wheel drive tests to honor social distancing guidelines.
- Suspending extended office hours and Saturday service.