The California Department of Motor Vehicles is expanding the number of appointments it offers and asking customers to go online for certain transactions.

Offices are adding appointments for people seeking renewals and increasing the number of available Saturday appointments at 60 field offices.

DMV offices have been slammed since Jan 2, when a new California law kicked in that offers people living in the country illegally the opportunity to get a driver’s license.

The law has affected wait times at DMV offices.

DMV officials say that since the first week of the new law, the statewide average wait time for all customers with an appointment has fallen from 32 minutes to 14 minutes. And the average wait for walk-in customers has fallen from 90 to 60 minutes.

In Orange County DMV offices, however, customers are reporting much longer wait times – often hours for a walk-in and even with appointments.

“We understand everyone’s time is important and are working to provide the best possible customer service to all Californians who visit the DMV,” DMV Director Jean Shiomoto said in a news release Friday. “We are further increasing appointment opportunities and reminding customers that many routine transactions do not require visiting the DMV at all — so save time and go online.”

Since Jan. 2, DMV has issued 79,000 new driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants and administered approximately 523,000 written and behind-the-wheel exams.

The state agency expects about 1.4 million new applicants over the next three years. To prepare, it hired 900 new employees, added Saturday office hours, opened four new offices and doubled the time customers can make an appointment from 45 days ahead to 90 days.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7829 or rkopetman@ocregister.com