11 NJ Driver's License, MVC Centers Go Appointment-Only

NEW JERSEY — Long lines have plagued New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission Centers since its reopening in July. Starting Nov. 2, some of the MVC centers will no longer allow walk-ins, shifting to an appointment-only system.

It's not clear why the change is being made, but a number of centers have closed in recent weeks because of staff members were diagnosed with the coronavirus.

Customers can go to NJMVC.gov now to make an appointment.

"We will continue to track demand very closely, especially if and when closures due to COVID-19 force appointment cancelations," said MVC Chief Administrator Sue Fulton.

"As with each innovation we have made – at least one new initiative every two weeks since our reopening – we will continue to balance convenience with our ability to meet demand, without compromising the health and safety of our employees and customers."

Here are the MVC's centers that will be appointment-only, starting on Nov. 2:

• Cherry Hill
• Hazlet
• Jersey City
• Lakewood
• Manahawkin
• Medford
• Somerville
• Springfield
• Trenton
• Turnersville
• Wallington

The remaining five centers — East Orange, Newton, Runnemede, South Brunswick, and Washington — will continue to serve customers on a walk-in basis, as well as by appointment.

The 11 MVC sites shifting to appointment-only are "Vehicle Centers," where visits are necessary primarily for registration/title transfers for private vehicle sales, which have significantly increased during the COVID-19 crisis.

At "Licensing Centers," it's primarily for first-time licenses, out-of-state transfers, and those with CDLs and temporary visa restricted (TVR) licenses.

In a Friday announcement, the MVC also said out-of-state transfers will also now be available by appointment-only at all centers, just like commercial driver license renewals.

Licensing Centers are also now authorized to process out-of-state registration and title transfers concurrently with license transfers. The idea is to eliminate the need for multiple MVC visits by customers.

The shift to appointment-only follows the reopening of all New Jersey MVC centers to in-person service on July 7. The opening was met with chaos as some reported waiting as long as 5-plus hours at some centers such as Somerville MVC.

Some centers were also forced to close after MVC employees reported positive coronavirus cases. Manahawkin closed for two weeks and was also already transitioning to an appointment-only system. Read More: Manahawkin MVC Becoming Appointment-Only When It Reopens

An employee at the Motor Vehicle Commission Licensing Center in the Cardiff section of Egg Harbor Township tested positive for the coronavirus causing the center to close on Wednesday. Read More: Egg Harbor Twp. MVC Closes After Positive Coronavirus Test

Seniors, age 65 and older, will be able to reserve appointments at any time, while continuing to use the "Senior Hours" at Vehicle Centers, designated Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 4 p.m., now by appointment.

Appointments for out-of-state transfers and registration/title transfers can be scheduled online at NJMVC.gov and will be available on a rolling, 30-day basis. Customers are cautioned that demand is high, so they may not be able to get an appointment at their preferred location.