Heppner DMV temporarily closes August 13 because of staffing issues
On Aug. 13, 2025, the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles announced that the Heppner DMV office in rural Morrow County would be closed for the day because it didn’t have enough trained staff to operate. The office, located at 54173 Highway 74 on the eastern edge of town, normally provides licensing and vehicle registration services to residents in and around Heppner. With only a small team assigned to the branch, any sudden absence leaves the counter unstaffed, so the DMV decided to close temporarily rather than offer limited service.
The Heppner closure underscores a staffing challenge that has been affecting several Oregon DMV offices. Recruiting and retaining employees has been difficult since the pandemic, and some rural locations operate with just one or two clerks. Earlier this summer the Coquille DMV and other small offices were closed on short notice when employees were reassigned or couldn’t work. Statewide, the DMV has been trying to hire more workers and redistribute tasks, but the agency says temporary closures may still occur until staffing levels improve.
Drivers who planned to visit the Heppner branch on Aug. 13 are encouraged to check the DMV’s real‑time office closures page at oregondmv.com before travelling. The agency also advises customers to see whether their transaction can be completed online through the DMV2U portal. Online services allow Oregonians to renew vehicle registrations, order replacement titles, change addresses, and schedule road tests from home. If an in‑person visit is necessary, the nearest full‑service DMV offices are in Hermiston and Pendleton. The DMV plans to reopen the Heppner office once staffing stabilises but has not given a date, so checking the closure list remains important.
Customers with questions about the Heppner closure can call the DMV’s customer service line at 503-945-5000. Media inquiries may be directed to DMV spokesperson Chris Crabb at 971-304-9705 or [email protected]. The department apologizes for any inconvenience and appreciates the public’s patience as it works to address staffing shortages and improve service reliability.
Source: https://beaverstatenews.com/stories/674269111-oregon-dmv-closes-heppner-office-temporarily-due-to-staffing