SAN DIEGO COUNTY (KGTV)-- As restrictions on businesses ease up, five local DMV offices will reopen on Thursday.
Seventy-one California DMV offices across the state will be open Thursday. In San Diego County, there will be seven reopened offices.
Opened May 8, 2020:
San Marcos
San Diego - Normal
Opening May 28, 2020:
San Diego - Clairemont
Chula Vista
Poway
El Cajon
San Ysidro
Since it's temporary closures on March 27, 2020, the DMV has encouraged the use of its expanded Virtual office, DMV kiosks inside supermarkets, and using partners like AAA.
Starting Thursday, the DMV's newly reopened offices are only serving customers wearing masks, with appointments for things like vehicle inspections and new drivers licenses and ID's. Same-day appointments will only be made for people with critical transactions such as knowledge and vision tests and disabled parking placards.
To honor social distancing guidelines, all behind the wheel tests have been canceled. No new drive test appointments will be available.
But one 10News viewer told us that right after the announcement of the reopenings this week, parents rushed to the DMV website. Some were able to book a behind-the-wheel test as early as June 1 for their teens. But minutes later, when she tried to log on for her daughter, who's appointment this month was canceled, it was too late. The site had crashed.
"I think being able to drive is a life skill and one that these kids that have already lost so much deserve to be able to acquire! How old will they be when they can drive without mom?" the viewer said.
In response to our inquiry, DMV Media Relations told 10News:
"Behind the wheel tests have been canceled due to physical distancing concerns. These tests will be offered again when it is safe to do so. Previously canceled appointments will be automatically rescheduled when behind the wheel testing resumes. DMV recently extended driver license permits for six months, or to a date 24 months from the date of application, whichever is earlier."
It is unclear if these newly rescheduled behind-the-wheel test appointments are in fact, happening.
The offices are beginning to reschedule canceled appointments. But they are still encouraging folks to use the online services if possible.
The DMV reminds us that drivers licenses that expire between this March and July will be extended until the end of July. The Real-ID deadline has also been extended until October 2021.
