Latest news with #CaliforniaDepartmentofMotorVehicles
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
DMV warns of discounted registration renewal scams on social media. How to avoid the con
Social media users are being warned not to fall for a fake online advertisement that is posing as the California Department of Motor Vehicles and offering registration renewal services at a discounted price. Residents have reported seeing deceptive social media advertisements claiming to renew a vehicle registration at a 50% discount, the DMV said on Wednesday. Fact check: State law prohibits the DMV from offering discounted vehicle registration renewals. The deceptive advertisement asks for personal information, including your full name, license plate number, and the last five digits of the vehicle registration number. To take advantage of the supposed service, you're asked to pay through the peer-to-peer transaction service Cash App. Read more: Real ID brings confusion and surprise but relatively few problems at SoCal airports Fact check: The DMV will never ask for personal information or payment through unofficial channels such as social media sites and transaction applications. To make a payment to the state department for your vehicle registration renewal, you can: Make an online payment through your personal account on the DMV website. Visit a DMV kiosk. Make an appointment at a DMV office. 'The safest way to renew your vehicle registration is directly through the official DMV website,' said DMV Director Steve Gordon in a statement. The DMV advises that you take these steps to avoid this recent online scam: Avoid engaging with any offers of discounted DMV services. The DMV does not offer special deals through unauthorized third parties or on social media. Never respond to unsolicited or suspicious messages. If you receive a direct message asking for personal or financial information, do not reply. Verify the source of the post, message or advertisement. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of an online post, you can contact the DMV by calling (800) 777-0133. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
CBS News
04-05-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Bay Area DMV locations use expanded hours to help people quickly get Real IDs
With the federal REAL ID deadline fast approaching on May 7, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is ramping up efforts to help residents obtain the required identification. Starting Wednesday, travelers will need a REAL ID or a valid passport to board domestic flights. In response, the DMV has extended weekday hours and opened select Bay Area offices on Saturdays to accommodate the expected surge in applications. Many residents who visited the DMV on Saturday reported a surprisingly smooth experience. Gone were the long lines, lengthy waits, and usual frustrations. "I showed up today at 12:10, walked straight in, and 20 minutes [later], walked out," said Kelly Kouyate, an Oakland resident who scheduled her appointment less than 24 hours earlier. "Usually, when I come into the DMV, I'm sitting in one of these blue chairs for about an hour or so. I have yet to sit," she added, pointing to rows of empty seats. "So that was shocking." The DMV's Saturday services are appointment-only and are dedicated exclusively to REAL ID applications, not for vehicle registration or other transactions. That limited focus may explain why the offices were unusually quiet. "It was ready before I was ready. As soon as I walked in and gave them my ID for the appointment, they were already calling me," said Beverly Williams, a resident of South San Francisco. Williams, who is preparing for her granddaughter's graduation at the end of this month in San Diego, did have one hiccup — She forgot to bring all the required documents and will need to return. According to the latest DMV data, more than 19 million Californians have received their REAL IDs so far, which accounts for approximately 55% of all issued identification cards. However, that leaves over 15 million residents still without one. "Especially in the younger generation, a lot of people aren't aware of the Real ID and definitely not the deadline either," said Sasha Murphy, a resident of Moraga. Kouyate, on the other hand, is now prepared for a potential trip to Chicago next month. "I'm happy, I'm happy. Now I can go enjoy my day," she said. The DMV will once again open three Bay Area locations on Saturday for REAL ID appointments: Claremont DMV in Oakland Concord DMV on Diamond Boulevard West Alma Avenue DMV in San Jose Appointments must be made online in advance. To lighten the mood around the looming deadline, Krispy Kreme is offering a sweet incentive. On May 7, anyone can walk into or drive through a participating location for a free donut — no purchase or ID required.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
California DMV releases proposed rules for autonomous heavy-duty trucks, large vehicles
The California Department of Motor Vehicles announced Friday that it released proposed regulations allowing self-driving heavy-duty trucks and other large vehicles to test on state public roads. Under the new proposal, autonomous vehicles weighing 10,001 pounds or more could be tested with a DMV-approved permit. The regulations also update requirements for light-duty vehicles, incorporating recent legislative changes under AB 1777, signed into law in 2024. California to re-open e-bike voucher program. Here's what you need to know The updated guidelines enhance data reporting, establish new protocols for autonomous vehicle interactions with first responders, and create a system for law enforcement to report potential traffic violations involving autonomous vehicles. Regulators say self-driving heavy-duty trucks are already being tested in other states, including Texas, Arizona and Arkansas. California, however, is the only state with regulations that explicitly ban them, according to The Associated Press. The proposed rules' release initiates a 45-day public comment period ending June 9. Written comments can be submitted by email to LADRegulations@ The draft regulations are available on the DMV's Autonomous Vehicles webpage. After the public comment period, the DMV will host a public hearing to gather additional input. Details about the hearing will be announced later. The new regulations come after the California Legislature passed a bill in 2023 to require human drivers aboard self-driving trucks. However, Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed the bill, citing that current laws governing self-driving vehicles were sufficient. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Reuters
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- Reuters
California proposes to allow self-driving heavy-duty truck testing
April 25 (Reuters) - The California Department of Motor Vehicles said Friday it is proposing to allow testing of heavy-duty trucks and other large vehicles on state public roads. California currently allows self-driving light-duty passenger vehicles for testing on public roads but not heavy-duty vehicles weighing more than 10,001 pounds, which manufacturers are testing in states like Texas, Arizona, and Arkansas. The state would limit autonomous heavy-duty commercial motor vehicles driverless testing on specified routes that are legal for the size, weight and loading of the vehicle or vehicle combination and would largely ban operation on city streets. Stay up to date with the latest news, trends and innovations that are driving the global automotive industry with the Reuters Auto File newsletter. Sign up here.
Los Angeles Times
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- Los Angeles Times
Real ID really has a real deadline. Are you ready?
Good morning. Here's what you need to know to start your day. It looks like they actually may be serious this time. After 17 years of extensions, federal officials are adamant that, yes, you will really, really REALLY need REAL ID to board U.S. domestic flights beginning next month. They even have a countdown clock, winding down to the official start of nationwide Real ID enforcement on May 7. 'As of Jan. 1, more than 18.5 million California residents now have their Real ID, compared with last year's January count of 16.9 million according to recent data from the California Department of Motor Vehicles,' my colleague Karen Garcia reported this week. 'There's still a long way to go for the state to reach complete compliance. More than 35 million Californians have either an ID, both an ID and a driver's license, or an ID for people under the age of 16.' If you're among the millions of Californians who haven't made the switch yet (that includes me), Karen put together a short, handy guide. Here's what to know. Real ID isn't the only way to fly domestically Thankfully, there are several other valid forms of ID that the Transportation Security Administration will accept for those of us that put off getting Real ID (or forgot because they never seemed too serious about it). Those include: It seems like the California DMV would prefer you hold off on getting Real ID if you can, so they can process the surge of residents now scrambling to obtain one. A message at the top of their webpage on Real ID states: 'Californians who do not have a REAL ID but already hold a valid passport can comfortably wait to convert to a REAL ID when their driver's license is due for renewal.' California's DMV is adding hours as the deadline approaches You have to apply for Real ID through your local DMV office. In response to the looming federal deadline, 18 offices across the Golden State will open an hour earlier, at 7 a.m., (except Wednesdays) through June 27 for residents who've made an appointment to obtain their Real ID. Here's where: Select DMV offices will be open Saturday, May 3, strictly for Real ID appointments. For more information or to start the appointment process, visit the DMV website. What took so long? The long-delayed nationwide standard for identification was established in 2005, when Congress passed the Real ID Act in a response to the 9/11 attacks. The initial deadline requiring Real ID to travel domestically or enter federal facilities was May 2008. Then came more than a decade and a half of delays and extensions, caused by a number of issues, including public opposition, initial refusal from some states to participate, sluggish bureaucracy, a lack of resources and later a pandemic. Better late than never? Mystery surrounds a man accused of chainsawing trees across downtown L.A. The L.A. Times Festival of Books is back and celebrating its 30th anniversary What else is going on Get unlimited access to the Los Angeles Times. Subscribe here. How an L.A. grocery store's unofficial Instagram blew up — and no it's not Erewhon. What started as a bit has turned the Los Feliz Albertsons into the focus of a beloved neighborhood meme account. Until now, the creators of the account have been a mystery. Here, they tell us why they made it and how it connects the neighborhood. Other must reads How can we make this newsletter more useful? Send comments to essentialcalifornia@ Going out Staying in Email us at essentialcalifornia@ and your response might appear in the newsletter this week. Show us your favorite place in California! Send us photos you have taken of spots in California that are special — natural or human-made — and tell us why they're important to you. Today's great photo is from Times contributor Carlos Jaramillo at a Y2K L.A. quinceañera put on by cultural curator Anita Herrera who uses parties as an artistic medium. Have a great day, from the Essential California team Ryan Fonseca, reporterAndrew Campa, Sunday reporterKevinisha Walker, multiplatform editorChristian Orozco, assistant editorKarim Doumar, head of newsletters Check our top stories, topics and the latest articles on
