San Diego California DMV Coronavirus COVID-19 News Updates
San Diego California DMV Updates for Coronavirus COVID-19
Many good things have come out of this Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic crisis, including fresh (unpolluted) air, beautiful cloud formations, endless kind acts, unemployed Thailand elephants returning home after 20 years, spending quality time with the ones you love and a newly designed California DMV website.
DMV eventually reopened all 169 field offices. Long lines and confusion continue.
COVID-19 screening questions starting August 20th as DMV customers and employees who have a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher on an infrared thermometer will not be allowed in.
Note, though, to conserve energy amid a lingering heat wave, DMV offices across California closed at 3 p.m. from Monday through Wednesday August 17 through 19. You may want to check DMV website before making a trip.
Here is one writer’s story on How to Speed through the DMV to get a REAL ID (driver’s license). You may be able to get a hard-copy replacement license or duplicate license online.
DMV has not hesitated to close office after office or close offices when a Department of Motor Vehicles employee tests positive.
Californians can still go online to visit DMV for their driver’s license and registration. This article discusses new online services (who wants to go to the DMV anyway!) and new, safer visits upon reopening of field offices. Unless “urgent,” DMV prefers it if you do it online if available.
You can not reinstate a suspended or revoked driver’s license after a DUI online. Many of the required alcohol classes are not yet online; many more programs struggle or remain mostly closed during the crisis. Once enrolled, the program files electronic proof online. Insurance companies file proof of insurance online. Ignition Interlock Device providers filed proof electronically. Always get copies to mail. Bring in proof to any available appointment.
To reinstate after a DUI, DMV will accept money online ($55 for DUI conviction and/or $125 for separate administrative suspension action) but you usually have to (1) go an office or (2) send proof and payment to DMV Mandatory Actions Unit at 2570 24th St., MSJ233, Sacramento CA 95818.
California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order extending the waiver permitting the Department of Motor Vehicles to allow for mail-in renewals of driver’s licenses and identification cards through July 28 and another executive order making DMV DUI administrative hearings telephonic for the indefinite future.
DMV prefers eligible customers with expiring driver licenses and identification cards to take advantage of the easy-to-use online renewal system, including Californians who previously were required to renew at a DMV field office.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the California DMV is not accepting appointments at this time. In the meantime, there are many procedures that you can do or start online. Review this article so you know what procedures you can currently do online with the California DMV.
More offices continued to open. You can try for an early same-day appointment at some of these offices below. See Office Openings Information here.
Open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the exception of opening at 9 a.m. Wednesday, these are the San Diego county locations:
After closing, the DMV is in the process of reopening its miserable field offices to help folks get their REAL ID driver’s license, register their vehicle, or take the required eye, written or driving tests. But it’s going to take time.
Those who had appointments canceled because of COVID-19 closures will be prioritized. Some with confirmed appointments unfortunately showed up only to find DMV actually “closed.”
DMV extended expired licenses for California and commercial drivers. Seniors 70 or older with expired licenses have a one-year extension due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Behind-the-wheel tests for new drivers can now go into a DMV office.
More extensions, beyond the present July 31 extension, are possible:
Here’s the extension through September 30, 2020, to all commercial driver licenses, learner’s permits, endorsements and certificates expiring between March and September 2020.
In-person, more-complicated transactions often include processing REAL ID applications, adding ambulance certificate or firefighter endorsement, applying for disabled person parking placard (also available by mail), processing commercial driver licenses, applying for reduced-fee ID card, paying registration for impounded vehicle due to registration problems, and reinstating a suspended license.
These transactions are now at these DMV offices:
The above offices are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on Wednesday when they will open at 9 a.m. Online is where DMV wants you to start.
What will it mean in terms of intensive cleaning, wearing protective equipment, disinfecting protocols for employees and customers? Will it include work zone partition areas to maintain the six feet distancing? Temperature screening for customers prior to admittance? DMV employees reportedly have disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, face shields, gloves, and soap and water.
Why wait in DMV lines trying to maintain 6 feet with a mask on when you can go online?
California’s energetic Governor Newsom promptly hired a crackpot online technician to allow drivers to comply with DMV requirements online. Why wouldn’t you want to sit at your computer to open up a DMV account, rather than drive to kill time – and maybe yourself – at a DMV office?!
How easy is it? All you have to do is “login” to DMV online services. Open up a new, upgraded online customer account here.
Online services truly make sense for the safety of State workers and customers. For most computer-savvy people, it’s an easier and way for the California to generate fee revenue. California DMV has a multi-billion budget. DMV relies on everything from annual registration fees to reissue fees for California DUI drivers. Application fees are a big part of DMV’s revenue.
Here’s how you pay online to order a copy of your DMV driver license record or vehicle/vessel registration record. DMV driver license records show convictions, accidents, points, suspension actions, and failures to appear for DUI or other offenses.
Online you can apply for a duplicate driver’s license or ID card, vehicle/vessel or license plates, change of address; you can renew motor carrier permit or vehicle salesperson license.
You can also register to vote at DMV. You can find out how to do a mature driver course if 50 years or over, in order to get a discount from your insurance company.
Online is the future. You can’t do everything needed at DMV online. You can’t take tests online.
DMV is under pressure from Congress for selling $50,000,000 worth of personal data. Their hardware and software need improvement.
It’s still unbelievable what you can do online now. Additional non-DMV online resources include finding an online traffic school, paying traffic tickets, checking the current licenses status of business licensed by DMV, and renew mobilehome registration.
Click here for Press Release News for anyone dealing with DUI requirements in San Diego California Court system during the 2020 Covid-19 Coronavirus Pandamnit.
San Diego California DMV Coronavirus COVID-19 News Updates