DMV to Curtail Services at Office in North Hollywood

The North Hollywood branch of the Department of Motor Vehicles will close its doors to the public next month, partly because nearby residents complained about traffic and parking problems caused by motorists visiting the office, officials said.

On Thursday, the office will become a DMV central telephone unit servicing the 213 and 818 area codes and will no longer offer driving tests and other services to the public, said Gary Quinliven, spokesman for the DMV.

“It will be of help to the community,” Quinliven said. “It will provide more phone lines.”

Since opening in 1988, the office in the 10900 block of Victory Boulevard has received numerous complaints from nearby residents about the traffic and parking problems it generated, officials said.

“It’s in a semi-residential area so there have been problems with parking,” Quinliven said. “It didn’t have a lot of parking spaces. That’s one of the reasons it’s been changed.”

Last year, the office stopped giving driving tests after neighbors complained that people taking the tests sometimes clogged nearby streets. Since that time, the office has provided written driver’s exams and other license and registration services.

When the branch changes into a phone unit next month, the staff will be increased from 20 employees to 38, Quinliven said. DMV workers will answer questions and will set up appointments for motorists at other offices.

The added phone lines should enable patrons to reach operators more quickly, Quinliven said.

The center also will serve as a “bulk center” where car dealers will be able to complete paperwork for the cars they sell, Quinliven said.

Other DMV branches in the San Fernando Valley area are in Arleta, Van Nuys, Canoga Park, Northridge and Glendale.