When California DMV Offices Close for Holidays

The California Department of Motor Vehicles closes all field offices on federal holidays and a small number of state-specific days. On these days, you cannot visit a DMV office in person, and phone lines do not operate on a normal schedule. The closures follow the federal holiday calendar plus a few additional state observances.

If you need a service that requires an in-person visit — a license renewal, vehicle registration, or a Real ID appointment — you should plan around these dates. Online services like renewing your registration or changing your address may still be available on holiday closures, depending on the specific service.

Key Takeaways

  • The California DMV closes on all federal holidays plus California Admission Day (September 9) and Cesar Chavez Day (March 31).
  • Phone lines and in-person services are not available on closure dates, though some online transactions may still work.
  • Real ID appointments, license renewals, and vehicle registration services require you to visit on a day the office is open.
  • DMV offices may have reduced hours on the day before or after a holiday, so calling ahead is worth the time.

Federal Holidays When DMV Offices Close

The California DMV observes all standard federal holidays. These include New Year's Day (January 1), Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January), Presidents' Day (third Monday in February), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Juneteenth (June 19), Independence Day (July 4), Labor Day (first Monday in September), Veterans Day (November 11), Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November), and Christmas Day (December 25).

On each of these dates, all DMV field offices statewide are closed. The DMV website and phone lines do not operate on a holiday schedule. If a federal holiday falls on a weekend, the DMV observes the closure on the nearest weekday — usually the following Monday if the holiday is on a Sunday, or the preceding Friday if it is on a Saturday.

California State Holidays Observed by the DMV

Beyond federal holidays, the California DMV also closes for two state-specific observances: California Admission Day on September 9 and Cesar Chavez Day on March 31. Both closures explore statewide to all field offices.

Cesar Chavez Day is sometimes observed on March 31 or on the nearest Monday if March 31 falls on a weekend, depending on the year and the specific DMV office location. It is worth checking your local office's hours before planning a visit in late March or early September.

Reduced Hours Around Holidays

Some DMV offices operate on reduced hours the day when ready before or after a holiday closure. This is not a statewide rule — it depends on the individual office. An office might close at 4 p.m. instead of 5 p.m., or it might open an hour later than usual.

The best way to confirm whether your local office has adjusted hours is to visit the DMV website, enter your zip code, and check the hours for your specific location. You can also call the office directly. This takes five minutes and prevents a wasted trip.

What You Can and Cannot Do on Closure Days

On a holiday closure, you cannot visit a DMV office in person or reach the DMV by phone during normal business hours. Services that require an appointment or in-person transaction — Real ID appointments, written driving tests, vehicle registration in person, or license renewals at a field office — are not available.

Some online services continue to work on holidays. You may be able to renew your vehicle registration online, change your address, or pay a traffic fine through the DMV website, depending on the specific transaction and whether the online system is maintained on that day. Not all services are available online, so check the DMV website before assuming you can complete your task remotely.

Planning Ahead to Avoid Holiday Closures

If you need an in-person DMV service, schedule your visit at least one week before a holiday closure. This gives you a buffer in case your appointment fills up or you need to reschedule. Real ID appointments in particular book up quickly in California, so waiting until the week before a holiday is risky.

If you are renewing a license or registration that expires on or near a holiday, complete the transaction at least two weeks before the expiration date. This ensures your renewal is processed before the holiday and you receive your new document in time. Do not wait until the last week before expiration if a holiday falls during that week.

Contacting the DMV Around Holidays

The DMV phone line operates Monday through Friday during normal business hours. On a holiday, the line is closed. If you need to reach the DMV and a holiday is coming up, call the day before or the day after instead.

You can also use the DMV website to submit questions through their online contact form, though responses may take several business days. For urgent issues, calling your local field office directly is faster than using the general phone line, and local offices sometimes have different staffing on days adjacent to holidays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the DMV close on the day after Thanksgiving?

No. The DMV closes on Thanksgiving Day itself (the fourth Thursday in November) but operates on normal hours the day after. Some individual offices may have reduced hours, so check your local office's schedule before visiting.

Can I renew my registration online if the DMV is closed for a holiday?

Online registration renewal may be available on some holidays, but it depends on whether the DMV's online system is maintained that day. Check the DMV website to see which services are available before assuming you can complete the transaction remotely.

What if my license expires on a holiday?

Your license is still expired on that date. Renew it before the holiday arrives. If you miss the expiration date, you will need to renew in person at a field office and may face additional requirements or fees depending on how long it has been expired.

Are DMV offices open on the day before Christmas?

Yes, unless that day is a Sunday. If December 24 falls on a weekday, the DMV operates on normal hours. Some offices may have reduced hours, so call ahead to confirm your local office's schedule.

Do I need an appointment to visit the DMV on the day after a holiday?

It depends on the service and your local office. Some services require an appointment year-round. The day after a holiday may have higher demand, so booking an appointment in advance is a good idea regardless of whether it is required.