Do you hate the mundane white walls, the intercom voice that flatly says “now serving,” and the plastic chairs that keep you uncomfortably close to strangers while you wait forever to renew your driver's license?
The Department of Motor Vehicles feels your pain and wants you to complete this and other important tasks from the comfort of your home.
In reality, you will have no choice: these services will only be available remotely.
As part of a self-proclaimed “customer-centric digital transformation,” the DMV is expanding its digital services and will no longer process simple transactions in its offices.
Starting June 3, the department's website, dmv.ca.gov., will be the primary way to obtain the following services:
- Simple vehicle registration renewals that have not passed the expiration date.
- Driver's license renewals that do not require an in-person visit (drivers age 70 and older are among those who will still have to go to a DMV office to renew).
- Requests for copies of vehicle registration records, which show the ownership history of a vehicle.
- Requests for copies of driver's license records, showing driving history.
- Requests to replace a lost or stolen driver's license/ID card.
These services can also be accessed by mailing the required documentation to the DMV or calling the department. In some cases they can be done through a DMV kiosk.
If you go to your local DMV office, staff will not process these services in person, but will direct you to their website or alternative “out of office” options.
By moving these services online, the DMV expects office visits to decrease by 200,000 customers per month, or about 2.4 million per year.
The change comes just before the start of the summer season, when visits to DMV offices peak, DMV Director Steve Gordon said in a statement.
“We know the situation in our offices will get worse with lines and wait times unless our customers help by getting online first,” Gordon said. “Help us help you. “Always try online first and use the other convenient channels we have made available to you to easily take care of DMV business.”
