The Davis DMV is located on Anderson Road, not downtown
The Department of Motor Vehicles office in Davis is at 1717 Anderson Road, Davis, CA 95616. It is not in the downtown area where most city services cluster. The office sits on the east side of town, roughly a mile from the UC Davis campus, and is accessible by car or by Unitrans bus routes (the local transit system runs several lines that stop near the location).
This is a full-service DMV office, meaning you can handle most transactions here: driver's license renewals, vehicle registration, title transfers, and written tests for new drivers. It is not a satellite office or appointment-only location. Walk-ins are accepted, though wait times vary by time of day and day of week.
Key Takeaways
- The Davis DMV is at 1717 Anderson Road on the east side of town, reachable by personal vehicle or Unitrans bus.
- This office handles full-service transactions including license renewals, registration, and driving tests without requiring an appointment.
- Wait times are typically shorter on weekday mornings and longer on Friday afternoons and Saturdays.
- You can reserve a time slot online through the California DMV website before visiting, which reduces wait time significantly.
- Parking is available on-site, and the office is open Monday through Friday, with limited Saturday hours.
Hours and parking at the Davis location
The Davis DMV is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a one-hour lunch closure from noon to 1:00 p.m. Saturday hours are 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The office is closed on Sundays and state holidays. These hours can change seasonally or for staff training, so checking the California DMV website before you visit is worth the two minutes it takes.
Parking is free and available in the lot adjacent to the building. The lot fills during peak hours (late morning and early afternoon on weekdays), but spaces are usually available within the lot itself or in nearby overflow areas. The building is accessible for people with mobility limitations, with accessible parking spaces near the entrance.
What documents you need to bring
The documents required depend on your specific transaction. For a driver's license renewal, bring your current license, proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and your Social Security number. If you are renewing after your license has expired, you may need to retake the written test.
For vehicle registration or a title transfer, bring your vehicle registration card, proof of ownership (the title or bill of sale), proof of residency, and proof of insurance. For a first-time driver's license or permit, bring your Social Security card, birth certificate or passport, proof of residency, and proof of legal presence if you were not born in the United States. The California DMV website lists the full document requirements for each transaction type.
How to reserve a time slot online
The California DMV allows you to reserve a specific time slot through its website at dmv.ca.gov. You select your transaction type, choose the Davis location, and pick an available time. The system shows you available slots for the next several weeks. Reserving a slot does not may provide you will be seen at exactly that time, but it significantly reduces your wait compared to walking in without a reservation.
You can reserve a slot up to 60 days in advance. If you cannot make your reserved time, you can cancel or reschedule online. Walk-ins are still accepted if you do not reserve, but expect to wait longer, especially during mid-morning and early-afternoon hours on weekdays.
When wait times are shortest
The Davis DMV typically has the shortest wait times on weekday mornings between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., particularly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Monday mornings can be busy as people return from the weekend. Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings draw larger crowds. If you have flexibility in your schedule, visiting on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning with a reserved time slot will get you through fastest.
Avoid visiting during the lunch hour (noon to 1:00 p.m.) when the office is closed, and plan to arrive 10 to 15 minutes before your reserved time to allow for parking and walking to the entrance. Bring a form of payment (cash, debit, or credit card) because not all transactions accept all payment methods.
Nearby DMV offices if Davis is inconvenient
If the Davis location does not work for your schedule, the nearest DMV offices are in Sacramento (about 20 miles west) and in Woodland (about 15 miles north). Sacramento has multiple offices, including one on Fruitridge Road and one on Florin Road, each with different hours and specializations. Woodland has a single full-service office. All three locations allow online time reservations through the same California DMV website.
The choice between Davis, Woodland, and Sacramento depends on your location, your schedule, and which transaction you need. If you live or work closer to Woodland or Sacramento, you may save time by visiting there instead. The California DMV website shows real-time wait times at each location, updated throughout the day, so you can compare before you decide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do my transaction online instead of visiting in person?
Some transactions can be completed online or by mail through the California DMV website, including certain license renewals and vehicle registration renewals. Not all transactions may have access to — for example, first-time licenses, title transfers, and address changes on your license usually require an in-person visit. Check the DMV website to see if your specific transaction is available online.
What if I do not have proof of residency?
Proof of residency must be a document dated within the last 60 days showing your name and current address. Acceptable documents include utility bills, lease agreements, bank statements, and insurance documents. If you have recently moved and do not have a dated document yet, contact the Davis DMV directly to ask what alternatives they accept in your situation.
Do I need an appointment or can I just walk in?
Walk-ins are accepted at the Davis DMV without an appointment. However, reserving a time slot online reduces your wait time significantly. If you walk in without a reservation, expect to wait anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours depending on the time of day and day of week.
Is the Davis DMV accessible by public transit?
Yes, Unitrans (UC Davis's transit system) operates several bus routes that stop near the DMV on Anderson Road. Routes 1, 2, and 5 serve the area. Check the Unitrans website or app for current schedules and which route is most convenient from your location. The office is also accessible by bicycle, and Davis has extensive bike lanes throughout the city.
What payment methods does the Davis DMV accept?
The Davis DMV accepts cash, debit cards, and credit cards for most transactions. Some specific services may have payment restrictions, so confirm what forms of payment your transaction accepts before you arrive. Bring multiple payment options if possible to avoid delays.