All California DMV offices to reopen this week, except one

All but one of California Department of Motor Vehicles field offices will be open as early as this Thursday — with restrictions.

The department’s 169 field offices will help customers with appointments and will assist with certain tasks that can’t be done online, like reinstating a suspended driver license or applying for a disabled person parking placards.

The department’s San Bernardino office will remain closed for repairs, the DMV said.

Officials still urge Californians to take their business online whenever possible — and to come in only “when absolutely necessary.”

“Nearly all DMV tasks can be accomplished without an office visit,” DMV Director Steve Gordon said in a press release. Customers can visit the department’s virtual field office to handle most issues without waiting in line.

Offices won’t look the same as they did before the pandemic.

Customers must wear face coverings — as well as employees — and those who wait in line must observe social distancing. Lines themselves can be avoided under a new text message alert system that lets customers know when to come in the building.

Extended wait times could happen, the release states.

DMV field offices still aren’t holding behind-the-wheel tests. Those will start up again in the coming weeks, according to the release. Motorcycle drive tests are now being offered.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and act in the best interest of our customers and employees,” Gordon said.

This story was updated at 3:05 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9 to clarify that the DMV’s San Bernardino office remains closed.

This story was originally published June 9, 2020 at 10:59 AM.