Oakland DMV Office Closed Five Months After Copper Theft

The Oakland Coliseum DMV office has been closed for an estimated four to five months after a water leak exposed extensive vandalism and the theft of copper wiring, which disabled the building's HVAC system and parking lot lighting. The closure, which comes just weeks before the Real ID deadline requiring in-person visits for updated state-issued IDs, is forcing many customers to seek services at other already busy Bay Area DMV locations. DMV staff and scheduled drive tests have been reassigned to nearby offices in Oakland, Hayward, Pleasanton, and San Francisco. The incident was reported to law enforcement, and the DMV has emphasized the availability of online services for most transactions, though Real ID applications still require in-person appointments. The closure has caused long lines and frustration for customers, especially as demand surges ahead of the new federal identification requirements. The DMV has pledged to work quickly to restore service at the affected location.