SALEM — The Oregon Department of Transportation plans to reopen Driver and Motor Vehicle Services offices in Eastern Oregon counties in May.

Amy Joyce, the DMV administrator, said recently during a conference call with the Association of Oregon Counties the division is reducing the number of appointment slots in most of its Eastern Oregon offices to expand to a “stand-by” model.

Joyce said the appointment system with the DMV never would completely go away. She said people who come in for appointments appreciate the consistency that comes with having a scheduled time.

She said the DMV’s future is a hybrid system, where it will keep appointments for some and have a “walk-up” capacity for people who do not want to make an appointment or do not have access to the internet.

Joyce said renewal of driver licenses, permits and identification cards would be allowed online beginning in early May. The DMV expects the new feature to be available on DMV2U.Oregon.gov in early May.

While some DMV services have previously been available online, most have been moved to appointment-only sessions at local DMV offices during the pandemic. Timely appointments can be challenging to come by due to the reduced capacity at DMV offices.

Joyce said customers had been telling the DMV they like both appointments and the ability to drop in.