The Department of Motor Vehicles will be fully operational today, according to a state announcement on Wednesday.

DMV expected to have all hands on deck when computer service was fully restored, enabling the processing of driver’s licenses and ID cards in customer service centers. DMV is extending operating hours until 6 p.m. today and Friday at all 74 locations statewide.

During the holiday weekend, DMV is extending Saturday hours at 14 locations, including the Chesapeake and Hampton offices.

Headquarters employees trained in field operations will be deployed to offices to assist full-time and part-time employees working to serve the influx of customers affected by the computer outage.

DMV estimates approximately 35,000 to 45,000 customers have been unable to receive or renew driver’s licenses or ID cards since the service disruption began Aug. 25.

Due to the emergency, DMV will extend the validity periods of most licenses and ID cards that expired during the service disruptions by 20 days. For example, licenses that expired Aug. 25, 2010, will be valid until Sept. 14, 2010.

In addition, customers who renew licenses prior to the revised expiration date will not be required to provide documentation of their U. S. citizenship or legal presence in the country.

Longer-than-normal waits for service are expected as a result of the weeklong outage, and DMV plans to make issuing driver’s licenses a top service priority, officials announced.