Christina Spagnoli Assistant Chief Deputy Director | State of California DMV
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has announced the closure of its Driver Safety Office (DSO) in Fresno, located at 2510 S. East Ave., Suite 310. The office will cease operations at 5 p.m. on Friday, November 8. This decision is part of the DMV's efforts to improve efficiency and adapt to the changing needs of its customers through digital transformation.
Driver Safety Offices are responsible for handling administrative hearings related to potential DMV actions such as suspending or restricting driving privileges due to negligence, alcohol-related incidents, or health issues. These offices also conduct driving re-examinations prompted by safety or health concerns but do not handle services like driver's license applications or vehicle registrations.
Recently, the DMV introduced a new Case Management System (CMS) designed to streamline processes, enhance efficiencies, reduce costs, and improve overall operations within DSOs. This modern system allows drivers and their attorneys to schedule hearings and check case statuses online without needing to visit an office physically. Most hearings are now conducted virtually.
With the CMS in place, maintaining multiple DSO field offices is no longer efficient or cost-effective for the DMV. Consequently, the department is closing and consolidating offices across the state. Hearing officers from the Fresno DSO will be reassigned to nearby locations.
For those requiring in-person hearings, appointments can be made online or by calling 1 (833) 543-7703 during regular business hours at one of these nearby field offices:
- Fresno North: 6420 N. Blackstone Ave., approximately 10 miles from the current Fresno DSO
- Madera: 1206 Maple St., about 25 miles away
- Visalia: 1711 E. Main St., around 42 miles distant
The DMV advises customers to utilize online services whenever possible since many tasks do not necessitate an office visit anymore. Services include eligible driver’s license and vehicle registration renewals that can be completed digitally.
Customers interested in receiving paperless notices for vehicle registration and driver’s license renewals can sign up by creating a secure online account at dmv.ca.gov.
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