Which Los Angeles DMV Offices Open on Saturday

Saturday hours at Los Angeles DMV locations

Three DMV field offices in Los Angeles County open on Saturday: the Downtown Los Angeles office at 2415 North Separate Road, the Van Nuys office at 14600 Vanowen Street, and the Long Beach office at 2640 North Lakewood Boulevard. Each opens at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. The Downtown and Van Nuys locations are the busiest on weekends, so arriving before 9:00 a.m. typically means shorter wait times than arriving mid-morning.

Not all Los Angeles County DMV offices are open on Saturday. The Pasadena, Santa Monica, Torrance, and Palmdale locations operate Monday through Friday only. If you live near one of those offices, you will need to travel to one of the three Saturday-open locations or visit on a weekday instead.

Saturday hours are the same year-round, including holidays. The DMV does not close on federal holidays, but it does close on state holidays like Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. You can confirm current hours on the California DMV website by entering your zip code into the office locator.

Key Takeaways

The Downtown Los Angeles, Van Nuys, and Long Beach DMV offices are open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday.
Arriving before 9:00 a.m. on Saturday typically results in shorter wait times than mid-morning visits.
Other Los Angeles County offices, including Pasadena, Santa Monica, and Torrance, do not open on Saturday.
Saturday hours do not change for federal holidays, but the DMV closes on state holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Wait times on Saturday mornings versus afternoons

Saturday mornings at Los Angeles DMV offices fill up quickly, but the first hour of operation typically has the shortest lines. Between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m., you can usually complete a standard transaction in 30 to 60 minutes. By 10:00 a.m., wait times often climb to 90 minutes or more, especially at the Downtown and Van Nuys locations.

Afternoon wait times on Saturday vary by location and time of year. Between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m., the Van Nuys office often sees a second wave of customers, while the Downtown location remains consistently busy throughout the day. The Long Beach office tends to have shorter waits in the afternoon than the other two locations. If you cannot arrive early, late afternoon (after 4:00 p.m.) sometimes offers shorter lines, but you risk not finishing before the 5:00 p.m. closing time.

What transactions you can complete on Saturday

You can renew a driver's license, renew a vehicle registration, obtain a duplicate license or ID card, and change your address on your license or registration on Saturday at any open DMV office. You can also take a written driving test, though you will need to have scheduled the appointment in advance through the DMV website or by phone.

Some transactions require an appointment even on Saturday. These include commercial driver's license (CDL) testing, certain vehicle title transfers, and disabled person placard applications. You cannot walk in for these services. If you need an appointment-only service, you must book through the California DMV website or call 1-800-777-0133 to schedule a Saturday time slot.

The DMV does not offer behind-the-wheel driving tests on Saturday at any Los Angeles location. If you need to take a driving test, you must visit on a weekday or use a third-party testing service.

Documents to bring for Saturday visits

Bring your current driver's license or ID card, proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days), and your Social Security number or ITIN. For vehicle transactions, bring your vehicle registration and proof of insurance. If you are renewing your license, you will also need to pass a vision test at the office.

If you are changing your address, bring a document showing your new address. The DMV accepts utility bills, lease agreements, mortgage statements, bank statements, and government mail as proof of residency. A document dated within the last 60 days works best, but the DMV may accept older documents if they are the only proof you have.

Bring originals, not photocopies, unless the DMV specifically requests a copy. The office staff will tell you if they need to keep any documents or if they will return them to you.

Parking and accessibility at Saturday-open offices

The Downtown Los Angeles office has limited street parking and a paid lot across the street. Arrive early if you plan to park on the street, as spaces fill quickly on Saturday mornings. The Van Nuys office has a large free parking lot with accessible spaces near the entrance. The Long Beach office also has free parking with accessible spots available.

All three offices have wheelchair-accessible entrances, accessible restrooms, and accessible service counters. If you need an interpreter or other accommodation, call the office at least one day before your visit to arrange it. The DMV provides interpreters for most languages at no charge, but advance notice helps may support the right interpreter is available.

Alternatives if Saturday doesn't work for you

You can complete many DMV transactions online through the California DMV website without visiting an office. License renewals, address changes, and vehicle registration renewals can often be done online if you meet certain requirements. The website will tell you whether your specific transaction is available online.

If you cannot visit on Saturday and cannot use the online option, you can visit a weekday DMV office. Most Los Angeles County offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and some open as early as 7:30 a.m. Weekday mornings typically have shorter waits than Saturday, especially mid-week (Tuesday through Thursday).

You can also use a DMV-authorized third-party service to handle certain transactions, such as vehicle registration renewals and address changes. These services charge a fee but can save you a trip to the DMV office. Search for "DMV authorized service" in your area to find nearby options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an appointment to visit the DMV on Saturday?

Most transactions do not require an appointment on Saturday — you can walk in. However, some services like CDL testing and certain title transfers are appointment-only even on Saturday. Check the California DMV website before you visit to confirm whether your specific transaction needs an appointment.

Which Saturday-open DMV office has the shortest wait times?

The Long Beach office generally has shorter waits than Downtown Los Angeles or Van Nuys, especially in the afternoon. However, all three offices see longer lines on Saturday than on weekdays. Arriving before 9:00 a.m. at any location will give you a shorter wait than arriving later in the day.

Can I renew my license online instead of going on Saturday?

You can renew your license online if you are renewing a standard driver's license (not a commercial license), you have no medical conditions that affect your driving, and your license is not suspended or revoked. The online renewal costs the same as an in-person renewal. Check the California DMV website to see if your renewal is available online.

What if the Saturday office is too far from my home?

You can visit any DMV office in California, not just the one closest to you. If none of the three Saturday-open Los Angeles offices are convenient, you can visit a weekday office closer to your home, use the online renewal option, or use a DMV-authorized third-party service.

Are there any DMV offices in Los Angeles that open on Sunday?

No DMV offices in Los Angeles County are open on Sunday. Saturday is the only weekend day when DMV offices operate in the Los Angeles area.

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.