11th MVC Agency Closes As NJ Continues To Fix Service Problems

NEW JERSEY — New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission officials continue to work to fix problems with long lines now that eight more centers have closed this past week due to coronavirus cases linked to employees. The total of closed centers has now reached 11.

The MVC announced on Saturday that the Freehold Licensing Center was closed because of an employee testing positive for COVID-19. The center will reopen on Thursday, Dec. 17.

The employee who tested positive was last in the Freehold Center on Wednesday, Dec. 2.

The Freehold Inspection Station remains open since it is separate from the Licensing Center.

The MVC Centers currently closed due to an employee testing positive for COVID-19 at each location are scheduled to reopen on the following dates:

• West Deptford Regional/Licensing Center – reopens Tuesday, Dec. 8
• Salem Licensing Center – reopens Tuesday, Dec. 8
• Cherry Hill Vehicle Center – reopens Wednesday, Dec. 9
• Medford Vehicle Center – reopens Saturday, Dec 12
• Springfield Vehicle Center – reopens Saturday, Dec. 12
• Randolph Licensing Center – reopens Saturday, Dec. 12
• Eatontown Regional/Licensing Center – reopens Tuesday, Dec. 15
• Trenton Regional/Vehicle Center – reopens Wednesday, Dec. 16
• Newark Regional/Licensing Center – reopens Wednesday, Dec. 16
• Flemington Licensing Center – reopens Wednesday, Dec. 16
• North Bergen Licensing Center – reopens Thursday, Dec. 17

Spokesperson William Connolly said the MVC continues to navigate the challenges posed by the COVID-19 public health emergency.

To help speed transactions and shorten visits at the centers, the MVC has launched its "Central Issuance initiative."

Under the new initiative, customers are no longer getting permanent licenses during their MVC visits – a process that causes long lines and waiting times. Instead, drivers are getting interim licenses at Licensing Centers, which will be valid for 30 days.

The MVC's "central issuance facility" then mails the licenses, which usually arrive in one to two weeks from the time of the transaction — the same as if they renewed their license online, according to Connolly.

Originally planned as part of REAL ID readiness, the initiative went live last week after being delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

At least 27 other states issue licenses via a "Central Issuance Initiave," which is considered industry "best practice," said Connolly.

"Above all, distributing licenses via 'Central Issuance' will better secure individuals’ personal information, helping to protect people from fraud and identity theft," he said.

This will hopefully combat the long lines that have been plaguing the MVC centers since reopening in July, he said.

Connolly also noted that the MVC has moved many transactions online, including the majority of license and registration renewals.

"For those transactions that require an in-person visit to MVC, the majority are now available by appointments scheduled at NJMVC.gov. This has dramatically reduced lines outside MVC Centers," said Connolly.

To stop limit the spread of the virus, Connolly said MVC Centers are following strict guidelines such as:

• Closing MVC Centers upon confirmation of a single employee testing positive for COVID-19
• Enforcing needed quarantines among staff
• Maintaining rigorous cleaning and safety protocols

The MVC continues to post daily updates on which agencies have reached capacity. As of 11 a.m., nine agencies were already closed for Wednesday. The updates can be found by clicking here.

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