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California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton vows to eliminate state DMV

Candidate Steve Hilton proposed closing the motor vehicles agency, according to The Guardian.

Updated Sep 10, 2026 · 17:50 UTC1 reports

The short version

  • Gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton pledged to abolish the California Department of Motor Vehicles if elected.[The Guardian]
  • Hilton proposed converting agency branches into after-school clubs and establishing a flat $73 annual car registration fee.[The Guardian]
  • Democratic rival Xavier Becerra's campaign warned the plan risks driver safety, while Hilton trails Becerra in recent polling.[The Guardian]
  • Enacting the proposal would require approval from the Democratic-controlled state legislature, making passage unlikely.[The Guardian]

Key facts

  • Steve Hilton pledged to abolish the California Department of Motor Vehicles if elected governor.[The Guardian]
  • Hilton's proposal includes setting a flat $73 annual car registration fee and converting offices into after-school clubs.[The Guardian]
  • The California legislature allocated $1.46 billion to the DMV for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.[The Guardian]
  • The campaign of Democratic opponent Xavier Becerra argued that Hilton's plan would risk driver safety.[The Guardian]

What remains uncertain

  • It is unlikely the agency could be abolished because doing so requires approval from California's Democratic-controlled legislature.[The Guardian]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.