Archive: DMV Expands Saturday Hours to 60 Field Offices

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2415 First Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 657–6437 | dmvpublicaffairs@dmv.ca.gov

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 13, 2018

Service to be available every weekend beginning August 4

Sacramento – In a continuing effort to address wait times at field offices throughout the state, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is increasing the number of Saturday service offices to 60 and offering service every Saturday.  The offices will open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Saturday starting on August 4.

“We apologize for the increased wait times.  We continue to actively work on solutions to get customer transactions completed more efficiently,” DMV Director Jean Shiomoto said. “We will process all transactions except behind-the-wheel exams on Saturdays.”

The DMV began offering Saturday service in June.  During the first three Saturdays, the DMV assisted approximately 35,000 customers.

There are currently 43 field offices offering weekend service. Those offices will be open Saturday, July 21 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.  On August 4, an additional 17 field offices will open when Saturday service expands to 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The new offices include:

  • Bell Gardens
  • Culver City
  • Daly City
  • El Centro
  • El Cerrito
  • Folsom
  • Fontana
  • Hemet
  • Long Beach
  • Merced
  • Redding
  • San Bernardino
  • San Pedro
  • Santa Teresa
  • Vallejo
  • Visalia
  • West Covina

The full list of field offices open on Saturdays can be found on the Saturday Service webpage.

Appointments can be scheduled up to 90 days in advance using the DMV’s website or calling 1-800-777-0133. The DMV reminds customers that we do not charge to schedule an appointment to visit a DMV field office.

The DMV has been experiencing longer wait times due to a number of factors, including the implementation of the federal REAL ID requirement, a new queuing system and an electronic driver license and ID card application. Increased Saturday service is part of the department’s strategy to ease wait times in field offices, as well as reconfiguring the queueing system and extending office hours at 14 locations.

Beginning Monday July 16, the DMV will also open the 14 field offices below one hour earlier.  The offices will open at 7 a.m. four days a week.  They will continue to open at 9 a.m. on Wednesdays and close at 5 p.m. daily. 

Offices:
Auburn                    
Bakersfield (Southwest)
Carmichael
Chula Vista
Davis
Lincoln Park
Newhall
Oakland Claremont
Pomona
Rocklin
San Jose Driver License Processing Center*
Santa Ana
Turlock
Winnetka

 

* Driver License Processing Centers only process driver license and identification card transactions.

Customers applying for a REAL ID should visit REALID.dmv.ca.gov to make sure they have the required documents to apply for the federal compliant driver license or identification card. All REAL ID applicants must visit a DMV field office. View the full list of acceptable documents for REAL ID on DMV’s website.

The DMV also offers many online services at www.dmv.ca.gov, which can save a trip to a DMV field office. Online services include: renewing a driver license or ID card, paying registration fees, completing a notice of transfer and release of liability, ordering personalized license plates, and requesting a driver or vehicle record.

Customers renewing their vehicle registration can avoid visiting the DMV by using the DMV Now Self-Service Terminal, which prints a new registration card and license plate tag on the spot. These convenient kiosks are available in 60 field offices, 39 grocery stores and at the University of California, Irvine.   

Auto clubs offer members registration renewal services, and other Registration Service Business Partners can also process vehicle registration renewals and other vehicle registration related transactions for a fee.

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