The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is extending the temporary suspension of behind-the-wheel driving tests through the rest of January.
The suspension goes until Feb. 1 and has been extended "for the health and safety of customers and employees during the ongoing statewide surge in COVID-19 cases," according to a DMV statement Thursday.
People with scheduled appointments through Jan. 29 will be notified of their tests being postponed and those tests will be automatically rescheduled.
The suspension includes commercial and non-commercial tests but does not apply to motorcycle driving tests.
The DMV has also extended eligible permits with expiration dates through May 31 for six months from the date of expiration, or to a date 24 months from the date of application — whichever comes sooner.
All commercial driver's licenses, commercial learner's permits, and endorsements expiring between March 2020 and February 2021 will have an extension through Feb. 28, 2021.
The same extension applies to commercial drivers with current, valid medical certifications that expired on or after Sept. 1, 2020.
To protect employees and customers, the DMV is requiring face coverings, physically distancing, and temperature checks at all offices.
The DMV is also limiting the number of people allowed in the office at a time, spacing out chairs, and has installed plexiglass at offices.
While DMV offices remain open, customers are encouraged to use online services.
