12:57 PM: The Department of Motor Vehicles’ computer system is working again this afternoon after a problem knocked the DMV and a number of other state agencies offline for about four hours this morning, a DMV spokeswoman said.
The connectivity issues, which shut down computers at DMV offices statewide around 8 a.m., were resolved just before noon with help from the state Office of Technology Services, DMV spokeswoman Jessica Gonzalez said.
A second connectivity issue involving a problem with a DMV router and Verizon was also slowing the computer system, but that problem has also been fixed, Gonzalez said.
A tweet sent out by the DMV on its Twitter page while the computers were down stated, “We are experiencing communications issues with AT&T and Verizon that have impacted DMV services.”
Other state offices affected in some capacity by the technical problems included the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, the DMV’s umbrella organization; the Department of Consumer Affairs; and the Department of Personnel Administration.
Visitors to the DMV were able to take driving tests during the outage, and some paperwork was done by hand to be put into the computer system later, DMV officials said. Long lines were reported at some offices.
Non-urgent appointments were rescheduled, while some visitors with more pressing matters waited out the technical problems, according to the DMV.
Online services at dmv.ca.gov had been unaffected earlier in the morning, but a notice posted on the website after 10 a.m. alerted visitors that the “DMV is currently experiencing technical difficulties with our online applications.”
Although there may be some residual delays at offices this afternoon, Gonzalez said operations are back on track.
10:54 AM: The California Department of Motor Vehicles is one of several state departments whose computer systems are down this morning, a DMV spokesman said.
Computers went down at DMV field offices statewide around 8 a.m. after a problem occurred at the state Office of Technology Services, DMV spokesman Armando Botello said.
Other state offices affected in some capacity by the technical problems include the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, the DMV’s umbrella organization; the Department of Consumer Affairs; and the Department of Personnel Administration.
“We’re the worst because we have so many offices and services that people depend on,” Botello said of the DMV.
Visitors to the DMV can still take driving tests, and some paperwork can be done by hand and put into the computer system later, Botello said.
At some DMV offices, self-service terminals where drivers can renew their registration are still operating.
At the DMV headquarters in Sacramento, Botello said, said there was no Internet connection, and the problem was also affecting state-issued BlackBerry smartphones.
There is no estimated time when computer service will be fixed.
“It might come back in 10 minutes or an hour,” Botello said.
Meanwhile, affected motorists who can reschedule their appointments are being asked to do so. Others who need immediate services are waiting out the technical difficulties, Botello said.
Online services available at dmv.ca.gov are functioning properly.
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