In a court case that's so pedestrian other than the defendant (and even that could be disputed), it's big news. The Britney Spears driving without a valid license case has finally come to a close, days after the the jury tried, but failed, to agree on a verdict. Now that a mistrial has been declared, maybe it's time to get to the real issue for those of us not so enthralled with the pop tartlet:......

Short waits at the DMV are once again a thing of the past | Photo by SteveLyon via Flickr Governor Schwarzenegger's budget has called for many job losses and service cuts, and the Department of Motor Vehicles has been one of the most prominent in recent days to be on the chopping block. With many DMV employees already out of work and reduced hours announced at several locations statewide comes the news that there......

For 14 years California drivers have been able to select a whale-themed license plate designed by Laguna Beach artist Wyland which is offered by the DMV in partnership with the state Coastal Commission. Wyland, however, has now pulled his authorization on the use of the design, calling the Coast Commission "bullies" for denying his request that a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the plates go to his own foundation. Apparently, for the......

Today's issue of LA Weekly holds their top few picks of the 740 new California laws coming our way in 2008. The law that hits Californians on the most basic level is Senate Bill 33, which bans talking on a cell phone while driving unless using a hands free device. It also bans teens from using cell phones flat out while driving. Don't worry, you don't have to spend your money yet, buying that ear......

Driving under the speed limit can cause you to fail your drivers test. From the Top 10 Reasons for Failing the Driving Test In October, the California DMV took a step out of the 1970s and into the current generation. Okay, so they have had online reservations for awhile now so you can avoid waiting in line. And now you can avoid some reading by watching the 55 videos they uploaded on YouTube. The......

I’m writing this from bed, plan on returning to sleep when I’m done and will be too busy cleaning up the residue from my birthday celebration last night to post on dear ole LAist anytime soon, but...in my bleary, horizontal state, I felt moved to write while still basking in the glow of the Old Crow Medicine Show’s concert last night. It’s a miracle I made it at all, having hours before returned from......

The LA Times has definitely had its fair share of scandals in the near past with firings and hirings. Yet recently, content wise, the watchdog coverage of scandalicious politicians has been riveting. There is Mayor V and then there was the daily pounding of Rocky Delgadillo. The newest politician in the ring is 74-year-old 2nd district county supervisor Yvonne Burke who represents Watts, Culver City, Compton, South LA, Hollywood, Marina Del Rey, Inglewood to......

She acts like a princess, talks like a princess, and thanks to the LAPD, Paris Hilton continues to be treated like a princess. According to fly-on-shit gossip site TMZ.com, Paris was arrested around 12:30am after police noticed her driving erratically, conducted a field sobriety test, and when she blew a .08, she was taken into the Hollywood police station for drunk driving. The star was not blind, she was boozed. Not long after Paris......

Last night was "about community. It's about you playing the role of the community-based policing component essential to keeping crime down," explains Mayor Villaraigosa. Best lede: "They're calling it 'Slaughterfest' and promising concertgoers will "bleed metal" at the Whittier Community Theatre later this month." NPR visits some local DMVs: Drivers license photographs are notoriously ugly, even for the beautiful people of Los Angeles. Producer Ayala Ben-Yehuda visited two Department of Motor Vehicles offices in......

Owners of hybrid and electric cars can go another year without having to feed the meter within the city of LA. Yesterday the city council extended the program that allows properly documented alternative-fueled vehicles to ignore parking meters. However, posted street signs must be obeyed, as must residential permit parking on certain streets. A California DMV Clean Air Vehicle decal must be clearly displayed on the automobile or the meter maid has the right......

We saw this billboard on Vine at Selma, across from the DMV (whose website tells us that the current wait time for non appointment customers is .23 minutues). Is the billboard still up? Nevada sure isn't pulling its punches as it lures business away from our sorry state. Is Nevada's message accurate?......

The papers today are carrying a story detailing the plan to reinvent the state government. Although Governor Schwarzenegger has yet to back the plan, he appointed the members of the panel and their report recommends adding unprecedented power to his office. Most of the cost-cutting - estimated at over $30 billion over five years - would come by consolidating redundant chunks of the bureaucracy. Arnold will have to overcome many obstacles to pass his plan.......