And from the “Could it be true?” file this morning…

The Department of Motor Vehicles is hiring about 400 employees to better serve the hordes of people standing in line at offices throughout the state.

Interim DMV Director Chon Gutierrez said yesterday the new hires will staff overwhelmed branches. The plan will also make part-time employees full-time and allow overtime pay.

The first 265 employees have been hired, 80 are in training and 70 have started work. The hiring plan — along with other reforms — is estimated to cost $4.7 million this fiscal year.

The recruitment will boost the department´s overall staff after more than 1,000 employees were laid off after budget cuts during former Governor Gray Davis´ administration.