COUNTYWIDE : Hours Changed at Some DMV Offices

By JON NALICK

Jan. 8, 1993 12 AM PT

To shorten lines at some Department of Motor Vehicles offices in Orange County, officials will be extending daily hours at the Westminster office and opening the Santa Ana branch on weekends.

The program, announced this week, is part of a statewide effort to shorten lines and make trips to the DMV easier.

“That’s basically what it comes down to--convenience,” said Larry Stavroulakis, operations officer at the Santa Ana branch. “Our goal is, hopefully, we can reduce the wait and increase the level of services.”

Under the new program, hours at the Westminster office, at 13700 Hoover St., will be expanded immediately, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays except Thursdays. On Thursdays, the branch now opens at 7:30 a.m. and closes at 6:30 p.m.

The Santa Ana office, at 1330 E. 1st St., will open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., effective immediately. It is now open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Thursdays when the hours are 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The offices will offer all services during weekdays, although on Mondays no behind-the-wheel tests will be given. Saturday hours will be devoted to driver’s license processing only and include services such as behind-the-wheel and written driver’s tests, license renewals and identification card processing. Vehicle registration will not be available on Saturdays, Stavroulakis said.

The program’s cost is unknown but expected to be “minimal,” because some workers’ schedules will be shifted to Tuesday through Saturday shifts, avoiding overtime, Stavroulakis said.

At the Santa Ana branch, several people praised the idea of weekend hours.

“If I was working, it’d be a lot more convenient because I wouldn’t have to take time off from work,” said Francine Vasquez, 38, of Santa Ana.

Michelle Perry, 21, concurred and added, “I probably wouldn’t have to wait as long because no one knows they’re open on Saturday.”

For information or to make appointments, call the Santa Ana office at (714) 558-4688, or the Westminster office at (714) 891-2159.