The Santa Barbara Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office at 535 Castillo St. will close temporarily for renovations, 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23 until 8 a.m. Jan. 15, the California Department of Motor Vehicles has announced.

Improvements will include new flooring, carpet, furniture, interior and exterior paint, upgraded data cables and restrooms, the DMV said.

While the work is going on, DMV customers can visit the following area offices:
• Goleta: 7127 Hollister Ave., #24 (12 miles from Santa Barbara office)
• Ventura: 4260 Market St. (32 miles from Santa Barbara office)
• Oxnard: 4050 Saviers Road (40 miles from Santa Barbara office)

Before Going to a DMV Office, however, the DMV suggests trying to take care of transactions online at dmv.ca.gov.

“Most DMV tasks do not require an office visit,” officials said. “The DMV encourages customers to use its online services and other service channels to complete transactions, such as eligible driver’s license and vehicle registration renewals.”

Customers can also use the Service Advisor on the DMV website to learn about options to complete DMV tasks.

Another suggestion is to go paperless. To sign up for paperless vehicle registration and driver’s license renewal notices, sign in or create a secure online account at dmv.ca.gov to opt in.