Wisconsin DMVs to close today for coronavirus cleaning

MADISON, Wis. — Gov. Tony Evers directed the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to review how best to protect the health and safety of citizens and employees of its Division of Motor Vehicles while still providing essential services during the coronavirus pandemic, leading to the decision to temporarily close DMV locations today for a deep clean.

“Unfortunately, COVID-19 is having a dramatic impact on our communities. We want to help flatten the infection curve over the next few weeks to protect the most vulnerable among us. Limiting the need to visit a DMV while serving Wisconsin citizens is one of our efforts,” Secretary-designee Craig Thompson said in a news release. “All DMV services related to vehicles can be done online. We encourage our customers to visit wisconsindmv.gov for this information and avoid an unnecessary trip to a service center.”

DMVs will use today’s closure to deep clean each location and modify office space to allow for additional social distancing practices when the offices reopen Monday.

To continue to offer the legally required services, the DMV is instituting the following changes during the pandemic:

—Drivers licenses and CDLs that expire during the emergency will be automatically extended for 60 days, with the extension visible to law enforcement as a valid license, and any late fees will be waived.

—All drivers skill tests are cancelled until further notice.

—Administrative Suspension hearings will be offered by telephone or paper, rather than in person.

Starting Monday, in-person services for new drivers licenses and issuing identification cards will be restricted to appointment only. To make an appointment, customers can visit wisconsindmv.gov/DLguide or call 608-264-7447.

Customers who don’t book appointments will be assisted in order of their arrival when appointments aren’t booked and there is space in the lobby to wait.

For a list of all services available online, visit wisconsindmv.gov.

—Richard Jenkins