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Staffing shortages to shutter Ashland DMV By Morgan Rothborne May 30, 2022 12:15 AM A A Photo from oregon.gov The Ashland office of Oregon Driver & Motor Vehicle Services plans to close its doors for the foreseeable future amid a statewide staffing shortage. DMV officials encourage people to use its website to navigate this year’s closed doors and long lines. “Every time you need a DMV service, see if you can get it done at DMV2U.Oregon.gov. We’ve added over two-dozen services in the past three years,” said DMV Administrator Amy Joyce. Those who had appointments scheduled at the Ashland office can expect to be contacted by DMV. Anything that needs to be mailed to the department should be sent to DMV headquarters, according to its website. Summer heat brings people to DMV offices to sell, buy and register boats, motorcycles and cars. DMV is particularly busy throughout the summer with teenagers seeking driver’s licenses. The agency recommends making appointments ahead of time or taking the test with a third-party testing company, albeit at a potentially high cost. See www.oregon.gov/odot/DMV/Pages/DriverID/ClassCTestingBusiness.aspx for a list of DMV-approved testing companies. Like many other industries, DMV has been wrestling with staffing shortages for months and now is compelled to close or limit hours at multiple offices to reshuffle limited staff and fill holes at its larger sites. Offices in larger cities may reduce hours while five others — Cave Junction, Lebanon, Redmond, Sandy and Stayton — will temporarily close. “Lately we’ve been closing offices — without notice — across the state when we don’t have enough staff that day. We need to stabilize the staffing so customers can know ahead of time which offices are open,” Joyce said. As a result, DMV is hiring. Job applications can be found at odotjobs.com. Reach Mail Tribune reporter Morgan Rothborne at [email protected] or 541-776-4487. Follow her on Twitter @MRothborne.