California Department of Motor Vehicles

The following is a description of the many disability services the DMV offers. We recommend you go to their website for further and up to date information. Where the text below is highlighted, the DMV website page on disability services provides a link to more information.

Disability Services

There are several alternatives for DMV services. You might not even need to go to a DMV Office. In addition to this website, you can obtain information from the Telephone Service Center at 800-777-0133.

If you do need to visit a DMV office, you can make an appointment by calling the Telephone Service Center at 800-777-0133 or by using our online Appointment(s) service.

The TTY for Speech and Hearing Impaired Only – Toll free: 800-368-4327
Persons with speech or hearing impairments can call, toll free: 800-368-4327 for assistance on DMV services. Only typed messages from another TTY are received and responded to at this number.

Interpreter Services
The Department of Motor Vehicles provides interpreters, including American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters, at no cost to the customer.

If you need an interpreter, please let one of our staff know and an appointment will be scheduled for when a foreign language or an ASL interpreter is available. Appointments may also be scheduled during regular business hours by calling 1-800-777-0133 and indicating foreign language assistance is needed. For the California Relay Telephone Service from TDD phones, call 1-800-735-2929 or, from voice phones, call 1-800-735-2922 for assistance in contacting DMV and making arrangements for an ASL interpreter.

Conducting Business with Your Service Animal
Your service animal may accompany you into the DMV Office. You are required to comply with county or city ordinances regarding leash laws, so your service animal must be leashed when inside the DMV office, if the local ordinances require it. If your animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of other people, you will be asked to remove your animal from the office.

Although the service animal is not required to wear an identifying harness or special collar, you may be asked if the animal is a service animal or what tasks the animal has been trained to perform. You may not be refused service because you are accompanied by your service animal.

Taking your Knowledge Test
Check out DMV’s alternative methods for completing the drivers license knowledge test.

Note: To allow you sufficient time for testing DMV will not be administering knowledge tests after 4:30 p.m.

Telephone Service Centers-Call Toll Free: 800-777-0133.
At this number you may speak to a DMV specialist to either address your concern by phone, or help make the specific arrangements to obtain DMV services at one of the offices. You can get information on nearly all services available at DMV, such as:

Vehicle Registration
How to obtain a license
Where to take a driver license test
What to expect at that test
DUI restrictions and much more
DMV Public Offices – The “Start Here” Sign
All DMV Offices have a “Start Here” sign. When visiting a DMV office you may ask for any special assistance you may need because of your disability.

Specifically Designated Counter for Disabled Persons.
Disabled persons may check-in at the “Start Here” window or at the designated disabled counter in the field office and receive a Queue ticket for DMV services.

The Office Manager at any DMV Office
You may ask to speak to the Office Manager at any DMV Office that you call or visit. DMV Office Managers are trained to assist disabled customers that may require special arrangements.

DMV Driver Safety Offices – Disabled Parking and Building Access Maps.
All DMV Driver Safety Office listings now include a map showing where the disabled parking and building access is for that specific office.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
Discrimination Complaint Form (EXEC 50) (PDF)
Americans with Disabilities Act (EXEC 95) (PDF)HTML Version
Additional Information
Disabled Person Parking Placard or Plates