Department of Motor Vehicles offices across California are slowly returning to normal operating status Wednesday after the agency was plagued by in-house technical difficulties earlier in the week, according to its website and outgoing phone message.
More than 100 DMV locations across the state — of which 16 are in the Bay Area — have been affected by a massive computer outage.
DMV officials hoped to reestablish full operations statewide, but people were encouraged to check the DMV website to see if their neighborhood office is up and running before heading out of the door.
By Wednesday, DMV officials managed to get about a dozen locations back online, but Santa Clara was not on that list. Many frustrated drivers were asked to visit one of the San Jose locations, which was back online. There, however, long lines were just as discouraging as a computer failure.
Matthew Knoll of Mountain View visited a DMV office in Santa Clara Tuesday only to be told that he would have to return the following day. That second trip turned into another bout of frustration.
"The DMV said that the computers would be back up this morning and they're not so another wasted trip," he said Wednesday morning.
The headache at the agency's offices kicked into high gear Monday, but some Twitter users complained about the issues as far back as Oct. 19.
Jackie Garcia tweeted on Tuesday morning that she was having problems in Culver City. Angela Bo Bangela seemed desperate when she tweeted the Stanton office in Orange County was closed. "How can I get proof of license ASAP???" she tweeted.
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Anand Sudhini of Santa Clara has showed up to his neighborhood's office every day since the beginning of the week, but hasn't been able to successfully complete his paperwork.
"Super frustrating," he said. "It's been three straight days at the DMV and you know how the DMV is. It's not a pleasant experience for anyone."
Gary Leslie was told on Wednesday that he should return to the DMV on Thursday. Problem is, he says, he received the same message yesterday.
"Getting in line today, they say the systems are still down," he said.
A woman who answered the phone at the DMV’s technical support line said that the glitch was affecting its internal computer operations, but customers could still use the agency’s online services. That wasn’t helping all of those customers, however, waiting in line.
The DMV did issue a brief statement saying that offices would still continue providing driving tests, making return appointments, helping with paperwork, and answering customers' questions.
There was no estimated time for restoration of services. The DMV asked those with problems to call its technical support services at 877-563-5213. To find out if a local field office is up and running customers can visit the DMV website for the complete list or call 1-800-777-0133.
