SAN DIEGO — Many people share the pain of going to the DMV knowing that they have to wait in a very long line but that time could go quicker now that the DMV is requiring a few more services online.
“We’ve made it faster and easier,” said Anita Gore, California DMV spokesperson.
Starting June 3, the DMV says it will expand digital services, making 90 percent of its transactions available online.
“If people who can take care of their tasks online, go online, then the office runs much more smoothly,” said Gore.
CBS 8 is Working For You to break down what tasks will be required digitally or at a kiosk. Many are already available online. You can:
- Renew vehicle registration.
- Renew your driver’s license.
- Request copies of vehicle registration and driver’s license records.
- Replace a lost or stolen driver’s license or ID card.
“I do it all the time for registration and renewal and that sort of thing,” said Rex Neilson, DMV customer.
The DMV says you still need to show up to apply for a Real ID.
“You have to complete the Real ID application in an office. But if you start online, fill out the application, upload your documents, you are in office, transaction time is about eight minutes,” said Gore.
You will also need go in person for title transfers, hold ups with owed parking tickets or past due registration among other services.
The DMV says since 2019 the DMV has nearly doubled the transactions you can do online which can reduce 20,000 office visits per month or 2.4 million trips per year.
They say if you do not have digital access, you can still go in person, but an appointment is encouraged.
“We don’t want you to wait, we know you don’t want to wait in an office. So go ahead and try online, find out how easy it is, and you’ll never go back,” said Gore.
The DMV’s goal is to eventually move to a mobile first where you can do everything DMV related from your phone and put wait times in the rearview mirror.
“Online would be a lot easier honestly and a lot more helpful,” said Macy Thornburg, DMV customer.
You can also do many transactions at DMV kiosks located at DMV’s and stores.
The deadline to obtain a California Real ID is May 7, 2025.
At CBS 8, we are always Working for You and our community. This is a station promise that we will go the extra mile to solve a problem our audience can’t solve themselves. We want to hear your ideas on how we can cover and help our community. If you have a story idea, please email us at workingforyou@cbs8.com.
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