US Trends

when does the dmv close

Most DMV offices in the U.S. typically close around 4:00 PM–5:00 PM on weekdays, but exact closing times vary a lot by state, city, and even specific branch. Many locations are also closed on weekends and all major federal holidays, so you always need to check your specific office before you go.

Quick Scoop: “When does the DMV close?”

Because there’s no single nationwide DMV schedule, there isn’t one universal closing time. Think of DMV hours more like a patchwork: similar patterns, but different details place to place.

Typical patterns you’ll see

  • Many DMVs run roughly 8:00 AM to 4:00–5:00 PM, Monday–Friday.
  • Some states have a later start one day a week (for example opening at 11:00 AM and staying open into the early evening).
  • A few urban offices may offer extended hours or appointment-only evenings, while small-town offices may close earlier.
  • Sundays are almost always closed; Saturdays are hit-or-miss and often have shorter hours if they’re open at all.

Holiday closures that affect closing time

  • DMVs typically close entirely on major federal holidays like New Year’s Day, MLK Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, plus some state-specific holidays.
  • Around long weekends, some offices may adjust hours the day before or after, so the usual “closing time” doesn’t apply.

How to find your DMV’s exact closing time

Since you’re likely asking “when does the DMV close near me?”, the only truly accurate answer comes from your local office. Use this quick checklist:

  1. Go to your state’s official DMV (or RMV, BMV, MVD) website.
    • Look for a section like “Locations,” “Field Offices,” or “Office Finder,” then search by ZIP code or city.
  1. Open your specific office page.
    • You’ll usually see a daily schedule, for example:
      • Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
      • Wed: 11:00 AM – 6:30 PM.
  1. Check the holiday/closure notices.
    • Sites often have a “Holiday Schedule” or a banner noting special closures or reduced hours for certain dates.
  1. Confirm whether it’s appointment-only.
    • Some locations list “hours,” but certain services may be appointment-only , which effectively changes when you can be seen.

A simple illustration: if your local office posts “8:00 AM–5:00 PM” but stops taking walk-ins at 4:30 PM, showing up at 4:55 PM can still mean “too late,” even though they’re technically open.

Handy tips so you don’t get burned by closing time

To make “when does the DMV close?” less of a gamble, you can use a few strategies:

  • Avoid the last hour of the day. Lines often cut off before official closing if the queue is long.
  • Skip lunch hours and right-after-work times. Mid-morning on a non-Monday is usually calmer.
  • Use online services when possible. Many renewals, registration changes, and address updates can be done online at any time, so “closing time” doesn’t matter.
  • Watch for special announcements. Weather events, local parades, or internal training days can cause unexpected closures or reduced hours.

Mini takeaway (TL;DR)

  • There is no single answer to “when does the DMV close” because every office sets its own hours.
  • Most close around 4:00–5:00 PM on weekdays , and are closed Sundays and major holidays.
  • The only reliable way to know is to look up your exact office on your state’s DMV website and check today’s hours and any closure alerts.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.