The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) began administering behind-the-wheel drive tests June 26, after a long suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The DMV will only be accepting previously cancelled test appointments, and will make changes to increase the amount of tests each office can administer each day.

Even with plans to increase testing hours, the DMV still expects it will take several weeks to get through these tests and begin accepting new appointments.

DMV Director Steve Gordon said, “I’m asking for everyone’s patience as we safely clear the backlog of behind-the-wheel drive test appointments.

The DMV initially opened on June 11 to customers who had existing appointments, and for transactions that could only be completed in-person, including paying registration for impounded vehicles, applying for a reduced-fee ID card, or reinstating a suspended or revoked driver’s license.