California DMV Announces Closure of Three Driver’s License Processing Centers in Southern California
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is set to close its three Driver’s License Processing Centers (DLPC) in Southern California. The decision comes in light of the shift to online services, budget constraints, and the extended federal REAL ID enforcement date.
SACRAMENTO, August 23, 2023 - The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has announced the imminent closure of three of its Driver’s License Processing Centers (DLPC) located in Southern California. These centers, which primarily process driver’s license and identification card transactions, are being shut down due to the increasing shift towards online services, a constrained state budget, and the extended federal REAL ID enforcement deadline.
The Pacoima DLPC, situated at 11623 Glenoaks Blvd., is scheduled to close its doors at 5 p.m. on Friday, September 1. The Fontana DLPC at 16499 Merrill Ave. will follow suit, ceasing operations at 5 p.m. on Friday, September 8. The Anaheim DLPC, located at 3170 W. Lincoln Ave., which had temporarily closed in March for repairs, will now remain permanently shut.
Unlike the comprehensive DMV field offices, DLPCs have a specialized focus on serving Californians applying for a REAL ID. Since the DMV initiated the issuance of REAL IDs in 2018, over 16 million Californians have acquired one. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has further extended the REAL ID enforcement date, ensuring that almost every eligible Californian will have the chance to switch to a REAL ID during their regular renewal cycle. The new federal enforcement date, which mandates a REAL ID or another federally approved document for domestic flights and access to secure federal facilities, is set for May 7, 2025.
Following the closure of the Anaheim DLPC in March, DMV staff were relocated to neighboring offices. In a similar vein, employees from the Pacoima and Fontana DLPCs will be transferred to nearby DMV locations capable of handling the influx of customers. For instance, those who used the Pacoima DLPC can now visit offices in locations such as Arleta DMV (14400 Van Nuys Blvd.), Van Nuys DMV (14920 Vanowen Street), and Newhall DMV (24427 Newhall Ave.) among others. Meanwhile, Fontana DLPC patrons can opt for branches in Fontana DMV (8026 Hemlock Ave.), Rancho Cucamonga DMV (8629 Hellman Ave.), and Riverside DMV (6280 Brockton Ave.) to name a few.
The DMV assures that the redistribution of staff will help maintain short wait times and ensure the availability of appointments in these offices, catering to customers who would have typically visited the now-closed DLPCs.