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The DMV Has Closed Its Field Offices But Will Expand Virtual Services Next Week
A Department of Motor Vehicles worker speaks with a man who did not have an appointment at an appointment desk in front of a DMV building in Los Angeles, with a cone used to implement social distancing, on March 23, 2020 Mario Tama/Getty Images
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the California Department of Motor Vehicles has closed all its field offices, effective today, and all existing appointments at those offices have been canceled.
The DMV is creating a new virtual hub to handle essential services, which is slated to launch April 2 at virtual.dmv.ca.gov.
Customers will soon be able to complete transactions with DMV staff online that had previously required in-person office visits, including vehicle registration renewal and title transfers. Officials say more transaction options will be added gradually.
Services already available online — and through mail and public kiosks — will continue, officials said. You can visit the DMV's website for more information.
"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," DMV officials said in a news release.
The Department of Homeland Security has delayed REAL ID enforcement by a year. The new deadline is Oct. 1, 2021.
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