Get in Line
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. The DMV has already begun rescheduling appointments canceled during the temporary closure and notifying customers of the new date.
Once the DMV has accommodated those customers, the DMV will begin offering a limited number of new appointments. The DMV plans to resume offering all services to appointment and non-appointment customers in the coming weeks, as space allows.
Public health measures: Customers will notice numerous changes to safeguard the health of employees and customers.
• Employees are wearing face coverings and maintaining physical distancing and have access to disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, facial shields, gloves and soap and water. The DMV also is providing hand-washing stations for customer use in select locations.
• Customers are required to wear a face covering and remain 6 feet apart in line.
• Customers are offered a text message that will allow them to wait outside the building until notified they are ready to be served. Entry into the building is metered, and customers may experience extended wait times.
• Behind-the-wheel tests are currently not available due to physical distancing concerns. The DMV plans to resume behind-the-wheel exams for both commercial and non-commercial drivers in the coming weeks. The DMV suspended the tests in March to comply with physical distancing guidelines. The DMV will reschedule canceled appointments for drive tests automatically when testing resumes.
Payment Options: The DMV has expanded credit card and digital wallet (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay) payment options to all offices statewide.
Real ID: The DMV has expanded its “DMV Express” option to all field offices, allowing customers to fill out the online application for REAL ID, upload documents at home and receive an expedited experience at a local DMV office. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government extended the REAL ID enforcement date to Oct. 1, 2021, a year later than previously announced, to give people more time to apply.
See dmv.ca.gov for more information on available services.
