DMV Computer System Goes Down for Hours

@CA_DMV

California Department of Motor Vehicles office computers were down this morning, making a day at the DMV even more of a clusterf--- than usual.

To top things off, the DMV was urging people to try to resolve their issues by going to the department's website.

Except that ...

... Its website also developed issues:

The State is currently experiencing communications issues between AT&T & Verizon that is impacting both DMV online & field office services. 

— CA DMV (@CA_DMV) August 14, 2012

Yeah.

And, to be real here, who the f--- would go to a DMV office if they could deal with whatever issue they had online in the first place?

In any case, the DMV stated that its office issues started about 9 this morning, when doors opened.

@CA_DMV

Officials immediately told folks to try to get their business done via its website before realizing, apparently, that its AT&T and Verizon network services were affecting both its offices and website.

But wait, there's more. Power went out at one field office:

The Woodland field office is experiencing a power outage that may affect customer transactions. We appreciate your patience.

— CA DMV (@CA_DMV) August 14, 2012

DMV spokesman Armando Botello told the Weekly:

They're telling us it could be resolved within a few hours.

So, um, maybe wait till tomorrow to register that car if you can.

[Added at 12:04 p.m.]: The DMV sent us this statement:

We are currently experiencing communications issues with AT&T and Verizon [Verizon wasn't a part of the problem, apparently; see below] networks that have impacted both online and field office services. The California Technology Agency, DMV and other impacted departments are continuing to work with both companies to resolve the issues as quickly as possible. Keep checking our Facebook and Twitter feed for further updates. Thank you for your patience.

[Update at 12:33 p.m.]: The department tweeted at about 12:15 p.m. that "services have been restored."

[Added at 11:39 p.m.]: Verizon says it wasn't its fault and that the DMV's finger-pointing was misplaced. Its statement:

It was erroneously reported that the problem may have been caused by Verizon. Verizon's technical teams worked closely with representatives of the California Office of Technology Services to identify the issue which was internal to the California DMV and the state's Office of Technology Services.

[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]