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Oregon DMV Closures Become Routine Amid Staffing Shortages
Staff shortages have forced 34 full-day closures since Jan. 1, and the agency says 64 employees have left since late June 2025.
- On May 1, the Albany DMV office closed after four staff members were unavailable, marking the 34th full day Oregon DMV offices have shuttered since Jan. 1 due to staffing shortages.
- Since late June 2025, 64 DMV employees have left following budget uncertainty, while agency spokesperson Chris Crabb noted staffing levels remained stagnant for 25 years despite population growth exceeding 840,000.
- Managers like Jessica Lavery decide daily whether to close offices or shift staff; customer service manager Mia Ravell noted staff commuting to distant locations "really only helping for four to five hours."
- Lavery acknowledged community frustration, particularly for rural residents facing long drives, while emphasizing that "it feels really frustrating" but closures stem from staffing constraints, not disregard.
- Oregon voters will consider Measure 120 on the May 19 primary ballot to raise revenue for operations, while the agency deploys online platform DMV2U and Fred Meyer kiosks as alternative service options.
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Columbia Gorge News+6 Reposted by 6 other sources
Oregon DMVs regularly pushed to close because of short staffing
ALBANY – Jessica Lavery starts her mornings, sometimes as early as 6 a.m., deciding if she needs to close one of the offices she manages or shift her staff to another location. Lavery manages the Oregon Department of Transportation’s Northwest…
Oregon DMVs Pushed To Close Because Of Fewer Staff | The Ashland Chronicle-Oregon
Oregon DMVs regularly pushed to close because of short staffing Regional managers must weigh where to prioritize staff so they can serve as many Oregonians as possible By: Mia Maldonado – May 8, 2026 A “closed” sign sits at a counter at the DMV office in Albany. Since Jan. 1, 2026, there have been 34 full day office closures across Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle division offices because of staffing shortages. (Photo by Mia Maldonado/Oregon Ca…
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Total News Sources11
Leaning Left1Leaning Right0Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution80% Center
Bias Distribution
- 80% of the sources are Center
80% Center
L 20%
C 80%
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