California DMV Saturday Hours and Which Locations Are Open

Most California DMV offices are closed on Saturdays, but some locations offer limited Saturday service

The California Department of Motor Vehicles does not operate on Saturdays at most of its field offices. However, a small number of DMV locations in major cities do open on Saturday mornings, typically from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The offices that offer Saturday hours are concentrated in the Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, and San Diego regions. You cannot assume your local DMV is open on Saturday — you must check the specific location's hours before you go.

The easiest way to confirm Saturday hours is to visit the DMV's office locator at dmv.ca.gov, enter your city or ZIP code, and look at the hours listed for that branch. You can also call the office directly. If your nearest DMV does not open on Saturday, your options are weekday visits, online services for certain transactions, or visiting a DMV-authorized service center, which sometimes has different hours.

Key Takeaways

Saturday service is available only at select California DMV locations, primarily in Los Angeles, the Bay Area, and San Diego.
Saturday hours at participating offices typically run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., not full business days.
You must check your specific DMV location's hours on dmv.ca.gov or by phone — do not assume your branch is open on Saturday.
Many transactions can be completed online or by mail, which may be faster than waiting for a Saturday appointment.

Which California DMV locations open on Saturday

The DMV does not publish a master list of all Saturday-open locations, but offices in the following areas have historically offered Saturday hours: downtown Los Angeles, West Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, and San Diego. However, Saturday availability has changed over time, and the DMV has reduced Saturday service at some locations. The only reliable way to know whether your local office is open is to check the office locator or call ahead.

If you live in a smaller city or rural area, your nearest DMV almost certainly does not open on Saturday. In that case, you may need to travel to a larger nearby city or use online and mail services for the transaction you need. Some DMV-authorized service centers, run by private businesses under DMV contract, operate on different schedules and may offer Saturday hours in your area — the office locator will show these as separate options.

How to find your DMV's actual Saturday hours

Go to dmv.ca.gov and click on "Find a DMV Office." Enter your city, ZIP code, or county. The results will show each nearby location with its full hours of operation, listed by day of the week. If Saturday is listed, the hours will appear there. If Saturday is not listed, that office is closed that day.

You can also call the DMV office directly — the phone number appears in the same locator result. Ask whether they are open on Saturday and what time they close. If you are planning a Saturday visit, calling ahead is worth the few minutes, because hours can change and some offices may have reduced Saturday service during certain seasons or due to staffing.

What you can and cannot do on Saturday at a DMV office

Saturday hours are typically shorter than weekday hours, so not all services may be available. Most Saturday-open offices handle common transactions like driver's license renewals, ID card replacements, and vehicle registration renewals. However, some services — such as commercial driver's license (CDL) testing, certain vehicle title transfers, or complex registration issues — may only be available during full weekday hours. Before you go, confirm that your specific transaction is available on Saturday.

If your transaction is not available on Saturday, or if your nearest DMV does not open on Saturday, consider whether you can handle it online. The California DMV allows you to renew your driver's license or ID card online if you meet certain requirements, and you can register a vehicle online as well. These options have no Saturday or weekday restriction — you can do them any time.

DMV-authorized service centers as a Saturday alternative

DMV-authorized service centers are private businesses licensed by the state to handle certain DMV transactions. They are not DMV offices, but they can process driver's license renewals, ID card applications, vehicle registrations, and some title work. Many service centers operate on Saturday, and some stay open later than DMV offices on weekdays. You can find authorized service centers through the DMV office locator by selecting "Service Centers" as the location type.

Service centers charge a fee on top of the DMV fee — typically $10 to $30 depending on the transaction. The trade-off is convenience: if a service center near you is open on Saturday and your DMV is not, paying the extra fee may be worth avoiding a weekday trip or a longer drive to a DMV office in another city.

Online and mail options if Saturday service is not available

If you cannot reach a Saturday-open DMV location, the California DMV offers several transactions online through its website. You can renew your driver's license or ID card online if your license is not suspended, you have not had a name change, and you do not need to update your address or medical information. Vehicle registration renewals can also be done online. These services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For transactions that require an in-person visit or cannot be done online, you can mail documents to the DMV. Processing times for mail submissions are typically longer than in-person visits — usually two to three weeks — but this option removes the need to find a Saturday appointment or take time off work. The DMV website lists the mailing address for each type of transaction.

Planning ahead for a Saturday DMV visit

If you confirm that your local DMV is open on Saturday, arrive early. Saturday hours are short, and these offices tend to be busier than they are on weekdays because they are the only option for people who work during the week. Bring all required documents for your transaction — the DMV does not accept incomplete applications, and you do not want to make a second trip.

Consider making an appointment if the DMV office offers online appointment scheduling. Some California DMV locations allow you to book a time slot in advance, which can significantly reduce your wait time. Check the office locator to see whether appointments are available for your location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the California DMV open on Saturday?

Some California DMV locations are open on Saturday, but most are not. Saturday service is limited to select offices in major cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, and San Diego. You must check your specific location's hours on dmv.ca.gov or by phone to confirm.

What time does the DMV close on Saturday in California?

DMV offices that are open on Saturday typically close between 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. These are much shorter hours than weekday operations. Check your specific office's hours on the DMV website, as times vary by location.

Can I renew my license on Saturday at a California DMV?

Yes, if your nearest DMV is open on Saturday and your license meets the requirements for online renewal, you can renew it in person on Saturday. However, you can also renew online any day of the week without visiting an office. Check dmv.ca.gov to see whether you are may be able to access for online renewal.

What if my DMV is not open on Saturday?

If your local DMV does not open on Saturday, you can visit on a weekday, use online services for may be able to access transactions, mail your documents to the DMV, or visit a DMV-authorized service center if one is open on Saturday in your area. Many transactions do not require an in-person visit.

Do DMV service centers have different Saturday hours than DMV offices?

Yes, many DMV-authorized service centers are open on Saturday when the DMV office is not. Service centers charge an additional fee but can handle common transactions like license renewals and vehicle registration. Use the DMV office locator and filter for "Service Centers" to find options near you.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.