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DMV waives penalties for drivers delayed by computer outage

If this week’s computer problem at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is now your problem, NewsChannel 3 has some advice.

As of Thursday afternoon, all local offices from San Luis Obispo south to Ventura Counties are back online.

DMV spokesman Jaime Garza blames a hardware failure caused by the loss of hard disks in both the DMV’s primary and back-up systems for the outage.

Some California drivers may be facing late fees because they couldn’t process forms in time.

“If you have a vehicle registration that was due and we weren’t able to process it during this outage, you can avoid paying any type of penalties by filing a statement of facts, which you can find on our website,” said Garza, via video email. “Or, by writing a letter that explains why you were late and the penalty will be waived.”

Garza said at no point was the DMV’s system compromised by an outside “entity.”

Crews are working to get nearly two dozen of the last offices impacted back online.

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Crews are well into a second day of rebuilding computer systems that crashed Monday at dozens of Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) offices throughout California.

The major computer outage is impacting offices from Eureka to Brawley as of Tuesday afternoon, however, DMV employees are still able to provide drive tests, make return appointments, help with paperwork, and answer customers’ questions.

Santa Barbara’s office is included on the outage list; Goleta’s is not, however, it is unclear whether computers there are up and running.

To determine if your local field office is up and running please visit the DMV website for the complete list or call 1-800-777-0133.

The department wants to remind customers that DMV online services are still available at www.dmv.ca.gov and apologizes for any inconvenience this issue has caused.

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