REDMOND, OR -- Oregon DMV is temporarily closing some smaller offices and reducing hours at others. Redmond is among six closing Tuesday; ten others will limit hours. In previous interviews, DMV's David House has told KBND News the agency needs to shift workers to offices in bigger cities, amid staffing shortages, "Bigger offices in the cities have fewer staff than normal and so wait times are longer." For months, a number of DMVs have closed sporadically and unannounced due to a lack of staff.
Summer is considered the busiest time of year for the DMV, partly because of the high demand for driver tests while teens are out of school. House says, "Before you go to DMV, go to DMV2U.Oregon.Gov first and see if you can get what you need online and save yourself a trip to an office."
DMV released this detailed information on the changes:
Starting May 31, DMV will temporarily close these offices so that remaining staff can reinforce larger nearby offices:
- Ashland
- Cave Junction
- Lebanon
- Redmond
- Sandy
- Stayton
Reduced business hours
As of May 31, these will be the business hours for the following offices:
- Astoria: Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays except opening at 10 a.m. Wednesdays; closed 12:30-2 each day for lunch
- Canyonville: Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays; closed 12:30-1:30 each day for lunch
- Downtown Portland: Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays
- Heppner: Open 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays only; closed 11:30-12:30 each day for lunch
- Hermiston: Open at 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays
- Junction City: Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays
- Klamath Falls: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays except opening at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays; closed 12:30-2 each day for lunch
- Lake Oswego: Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays
- Lincoln City: Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays; closed noon-1:30 each day for lunch
- Milton-Freewater: Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays; closed 12:30-2 each day for lunch
