If you're planning to swing by the Tillamook or Astoria DMV offices today, you'll need to reschedule. The Tillamook branch at 308 Evergreen Drive is currently shuttered due to a facility issue, while the Astoria location at 705 W. Marine Drive is closed as a result of staffing problems. These closures are but a symptom of an ongoing struggle within the Oregon DMV system, which has been grappling with a severe staffing crisis for years.
According to a release from the Oregon Department of Transportation, which was highlighted on its website, the number of personnel the DMV is allowed "to fill is roughly the same as it was 25 years ago," despite a population swell in the state by over 800,000. This has inevitably led to burgeoning wait times and the potential for the DMV to be unable to serve all customers on a given day without prior appointments. To circumvent these delays, the agency advises Oregonians to make appointments online at DMV2U.oregon.gov to guarantee in-office service.
Funding shortages, hiring freezes, and staffing shortages are impinging on the DMV's operations, sometimes causing abrupt office closures. The DMV urges customers to check online for the latest office status before making the trip, to avoid any wasted time and ensure the service they require is available.
Oregon's DMV now offers over 20 transactions through its online portal, DMV2U. In addition, the agency has partnered with Fred Meyer stores to install self-serve Express Kiosks at 10 locations along the I-5 corridor and in Bend. These kiosks allow customers to quickly renew and replace registrations and stickers, with plans to expand to additional locations in the future. VIN inspections are still handled by mail or in-person.
