When the Long Beach DMV is open

The Long Beach DMV office is located at 2701 North Lakewood Boulevard and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office is closed on weekends and state holidays. Hours may change seasonally or due to staffing, so calling ahead at (888) 639-6001 before you go is the safest way to confirm.

The office does not take walk-ins after 4:00 p.m., even though the building stays open until 5:00 p.m. This means you need to arrive and check in by 4:00 p.m. to be seen that day. If you arrive after 4:00 p.m., you will be turned away and asked to return another day.

The DMV does not accept appointments at this location. You take a number when you arrive and wait your turn. Wait times vary widely depending on the day of the week and the time you arrive — typically shorter early in the morning and longer in the afternoon.

Key Takeaways

  • The Long Beach DMV is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and closed weekends and state holidays.
  • You must arrive and check in by 4:00 p.m. to be served that day, even though the office stays open until 5:00 p.m.
  • No appointments are available — you take a number upon arrival and wait in line.
  • Call (888) 639-6001 to confirm hours before you go, since closures and changes do happen.
  • Wait times are usually shortest early in the morning and longest in the afternoon.

What to expect on different days of the week

Monday is typically the busiest day at the Long Beach DMV because people return after the weekend. If you can avoid Monday, you will likely wait less. Tuesday through Thursday tend to be moderately busy, with Wednesday often being slightly quieter than Tuesday or Thursday.

Friday is unpredictable. Some Fridays are quiet because people avoid the end of the week, but others are packed because people try to finish business before the weekend. Early Friday morning (8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.) is often your best bet if you must go on a Friday.

Avoid the lunch hour (11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) and the late afternoon (3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.) if you want a shorter wait. The quietest windows are usually 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

What documents to bring so you don't waste a trip

The documents you need depend on what you are doing — renewing a license, changing your address, or getting a new ID all require different paperwork. Before you go to the Long Beach DMV, look up your specific transaction on the California DMV website (dmv.ca.gov) and print or write down the required documents.

Bring more than you think you need. Bring your current license or ID, proof of residence (a recent utility bill or lease), and proof of your Social Security number (a Social Security card, W-2, or 1099). If you are changing your name, bring a certified copy of the document that changed it (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order).

If you forget a required document, the DMV will not process your request and you will have wasted your time. There is no way to submit documents later or have staff hold your place while you go home and return.

Scams and safety warnings for DMV visits

Never pay anyone to help you with your DMV transaction. The DMV is free to use. If someone online or in person offers to "speed up" your process or guarantees a result for a fee, that is a scam. The only exception is a licensed tax preparer or attorney, and even then, you do not need one for basic DMV work.

Do not use third-party websites that claim to renew your license or change your address for you. These sites charge fees (sometimes $50 or more) for work you can do yourself for free at the DMV or on dmv.ca.gov. The California DMV has no official partnership with these sites.

Be cautious of emails or texts claiming to be from the DMV asking you to verify your information or pay a fee. The DMV does not contact you by email or text to ask for personal details. If you receive such a message, do not click any links or provide information — it is a phishing scam.

Alternatives if you cannot go in person

You can renew your driver's license or ID online at dmv.ca.gov if you meet certain conditions: your license must not be expired by more than one year, you must have a Real ID or REAL ID-compliant license, and you cannot have any medical or legal holds on your record. Online renewal costs the same as in-person renewal and takes about two weeks.

You can also change your address online without visiting the DMV. Go to dmv.ca.gov, select "Change Address," and follow the steps. You will need your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. This change takes effect when ready.

If you need to get a new ID, replace a lost license, or handle a more complex transaction, you must visit in person. The Long Beach office is the only full-service DMV in Long Beach, though you may find shorter waits at nearby offices in Lakewood or Signal Hill if you are willing to travel.

How to check current wait times before you go

The California DMV website (dmv.ca.gov) shows estimated wait times for the Long Beach office. Go to the site, select "Visit a DMV Office," enter your zip code or search for Long Beach, and click on the office address. The wait time shown is an estimate based on the current day and time, not a may provide.

Wait times on the website update roughly every 30 minutes. If you see a long wait (over 90 minutes), you can check again in 30 minutes to see if it has dropped. However, the estimate is not always accurate — it may be shorter or longer than shown.

You can also call (888) 639-6001 to ask about current wait times. Staff can tell you whether it is busy right now and may be able to give you a sense of how long you should expect to wait. This is especially helpful if you are deciding whether to go now or come back later.

What to do if you arrive and the wait is too long

If you arrive at the Long Beach DMV and see that the wait is longer than you can handle, you have a few options. You can take a number and leave, then return later that day or another day — your number will not be called if you are not there, but you can come back and take a new number.

You can also visit a different DMV office. The Lakewood DMV (5050 Paramount Boulevard) and the Signal Hill DMV (2640 Rosecrans Avenue) are nearby and may have shorter waits. Both are open the same hours as Long Beach. Check their wait times on dmv.ca.gov before you drive over.

If your transaction can be done online, consider doing it from home instead. Renewing your license, changing your address, or ordering a replacement ID online takes longer overall (two to three weeks) but requires no waiting in line.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I go to the Long Beach DMV without an appointment?

Yes. The Long Beach DMV does not use appointments. You arrive, take a number, and wait your turn. There is no way to reserve a time slot in advance.

What happens if I arrive after 4:00 p.m.?

You will be turned away. The office closes at 5:00 p.m., but it stops accepting new customers at 4:00 p.m. You must arrive and check in by 4:00 p.m. to be served that day.

Is the Long Beach DMV open on holidays?

No. The office is closed on state holidays, including New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. It is also closed on some local holidays. Call (888) 639-6001 if you are unsure whether a specific day is a holiday.

Can I renew my license without going to the DMV?

You may be able to renew online at dmv.ca.gov if your license is not expired by more than one year and you have a Real ID or Real ID-compliant license. If you do not meet these conditions, you must visit in person.

Why is the wait so long at the Long Beach DMV?

Long Beach is a large city with high demand for DMV services. The office handles thousands of transactions each week. Arriving early in the morning or on a Wednesday typically means a shorter wait than other times.