DMV Employment

If you're seeking employment at one of the many departments of the California Department of Motor Vehicles, you're making a great career choice. It's a rewarding occupation with fantastic benefits.

A true Equal Opportunity Employer, the DMV hires the most qualified candidates for any open position. Disabled job seekers are encouraged to read about LEAP (Limited Examination and Appointment Program), a state program with alternative testing for persons with disabilities who are applying for state jobs.

Civil Service Requirements

When you work for the DMV, you're a civil service employee. This has special requirements:

• Civil service list eligibility

• Currently employed in a position that is transferable to the DMV position

• Have reinstatement rights for the open job position

The Application Process

Apply to take the civil service exam as the first step. After you pass the exam, your name will be put on a list of those eligible for DMV jobs.

California issues "preference points" to former military service members. These points boost their examination scores a little, so nonmilitary applicants might have to do slightly better on the exams to compete.

Once you're on the eligible list, the hiring agency will begin contacting those who got the highest exam scores.

For a thorough breakdown of how this process works, check out the State Personnel Board's How to Get a Job with the State of California brochure.

The entire process can take six months, so have a backup plan in the meantime.

The DMV posts current California DMV openings. If you find an opening you're interested in, review the step-by-step application instructions listed on the job description, and dive in.

Salary and Benefits

The state talks about general pay scales and benefits, but not until you're offered employment can you knwo what your salary will be.

The state's benefits packages attract a lot of new talent. They're generally much more generous than those found in the public sector.

Besides comprehensive medical benefits, DMV employees receive paid sick leave, 12 paid holidays per year, paid vacation time, dental insurance, vision care, a flexible spending account, and excellent retirement benefits.

DMV employees also have access to other benefits, including assistance with childcare, group legal benefits, long-term care coverage, and home buyers assistance.

Note that there's usually a six- to 12-month probationary period before some benefits kick in.