More DMV Offices May Open Saturdays
A new state law could mean that Department of Motor Vehicles offices in the San Fernando Valley could open on Saturdays, as early as September.
Of the six existing Valley offices, only the Arleta branch is now open on Saturdays.
The new law, signed by Gov. Pete Wilson on Tuesday, allows DMV offices to swap one weekday of operation for a Saturday.
According to a spokesman for the DMV in Sacramento, the law is both a convenience for drivers, who will have a weekend day to process their licenses, and a relief for the DMV, which currently operates six offices statewide on Saturdays, with no days off during the week to compensate.
The law allows offices already operating on Saturdays to close on either Mondays or Wednesdays. Offices that add Saturday hours will also have a weekday off. The DMV plans to decide which offices will change their hours by Sept. 1.
It s hoped that the law, sponsored by Assemblyman Richard Katz (D-Sylmar), improves service at the DMV, especially for people who work during the week.
Katz’s “intention was to make the offices more accessible for the people who use them,” a spokeswoman for the assemblyman said.
In the Valley, only the Arleta DMV office already operates on Saturdays--processing licenses only--from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Offices in Glendale, North Hollywood, Northridge, Van Nuys and Winnetka operate from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays except for Thursday, when they are open until 6:30 p.m.
Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter
Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond. In your inbox three times per week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
