New DMV to Open in Palm Desert
The Coachella Valley is getting a new Department of Motor Vehicles office for the first time in 22 years. It will open to the public on Monday.
The folks behind the new D MV facility in Palm Desert are working hard to make the next experience you have there a painless one.
“(The new location) was thought up about five years ago,” explains Leroy Ramirez, Regional Administrator for the California DMV, “and it was budgeted back then to build another building in this area to help with the congestion because of the growth in the Coachella Valley.”
Drivers like Chris Hushaw of Palm Desert, say it’s about time.
“The DMV down there in Indio is backed up all the time. So that’s cool. Cut down on waiting times and lines I guess. That’s really cool.”
The 10,780-square-foot location is one of the largest in the region, and is LEED silver certified by the U.S. Green Building Council.
It is the third California DMV developed by Riverside-based Magnon group. Carter Group Architects of San Clemente has designed all three properties.
For the last year, landscapers, contractors, and carpenters have been hard at work on the facility at 74-740 Technology Drive, off of Cook Street and I-10.
Of the 14 people who will work there, four are new hires. However, the biggest economic boost to the area may be to neighboring businesses, which are expected to see a large increase in traffic.
Ramirez says the location is expected to serve about 70,000 people a year, or 200-300 a day. That should cut down wait times at the other two Coachella Valley DMV offices. However, Ramirez says making an appointment online before coming into the facility will also help.
“Our online services growth has gone up about 20 percent over the past year,” says Ramirez.
The DMV is also pushing new technologies, like an app available for Android or iPhone.
“You can get information,” explains Ramirez, “you can also schedule your appointment on your smartphone.”
Customers also have a choice to avoid waiting on hold.
“We have a virtual phone system now where if you call, and you don’t want to wait in line, you can leave your name and phone number and the DMV will call you back,” Ramirez says.
The Palm Desert DMV officially opens to the public on Monday, Sept. 24. Ramirez says between 30 and 40 people have already made appointments online for opening day.
The DMV office in Indio underwent a major remodel about 18 months ago, and was built in 1990. The Palm Springs location was built in 1985. The Palm Desert location will be the state’s 170th DMV facility.
To reach DMV customer service, call 800-777-0133.
To make an appointment online, go to http://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/home/dmv.htm
