Reopening California: 5 DMV offices open in the Bay Area for appointment only amid coronavirus pandemic

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The California Department of Motor Vehicles opened select field offices across the state on Friday to assist customers with appointments and with transactions that require an in-person visit to a field office during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The DMV is encouraging customers to use online services, its expanded virtual services and other service channels to complete transactions, including driver license and vehicle registration renewals.

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The DMV says it's honoring existing appointments at the field offices that are reopening. Those offices will also serve customers with transactions that absolutely require an in-person visit to a field office.

The DMV will offer same-day appointments to customers in need of the following critical services:

• All Commercial Driver License transactions including applications, medical reports and administering knowledge and vision tests.


• Paying registration for a vehicle impounded because of registration-related issues


• Reinstating a suspended or revoked driver license


• Applying for a reduced-fee or no-fee identification card


• Applying for a disabled person parking placard (this can also be done by mail using the REG 195 form)


• Adding an ambulance certificate or firefighter endorsement to a driver license


• Verifying a transit training document to drive a transit bus.


• Processing DMV Express customers for REAL ID transactions, if time and space allow.

The following 25 field offices will open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the exception of opening at 9 a.m. Wednesday:

• Arleta


• Bakersfield


• Carmichael


• Concord


• Fontana


• Fresno


• Fullerton


• Glendale



• Inglewood


• Lancaster


• Los Angeles


• Modesto


• Montebello


• Oakland Claremont


• Palm Desert


• Redding


• Salinas



• San Diego Normal


• San Francisco


• San Jose DLPC


• San Marcos


• Santa Ana


• Santa Rosa


• Stockton


• Yuba City

DMV Director Steve Gordon said in a statement:

"We are facing unprecedented times that are challenging for all of us. We've never experienced anything like this before. Please know that every decision we make at the DMV is based on the health of our customers and employees. Today, a select number of DMV offices reopened to the public. We understand there is pent up demand for services, but in order to maintain physical distancing and protect the health and safety of both our customers and our DMV team, we must limit the number of people we can serve. The open offices are for currently scheduled appointments only and a few select services. We are also serving customers in new ways. The DMV continues to provide essential services online and through our virtual field office. We also offer services through mail, kiosks, our call center and business partners. Most DMV transactions can be done without an office visit. We encourage our customers to use these alternative services.I ask for your patience as we transition to full operations. Thank you."

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