Freehold MVC Reopens Friday Afternoon Following Power Outage

FREEHOLD, NJ – The Freehold Motor Vehicle Commission on Okerson Road reported a power outage Friday morning, with employees calling for customers to disperse from the agency shortly after the office opened its doors.

"Freehold Licensing Center and Inspection Station is currently experiencing a power outage and is temporarily closed," the agency wrote on its website Friday morning. "Please check back for updates."

While some lined up at the Freehold location as early as 1 a.m., a representative from the office told the crowd to leave around 8 a.m., according to New Jersey News 12.

Freehold Licensing Center and Inspection Station is currently experiencing a power outage and is temporarily closed. Please check https://t.co/KepkrWi9aD for updates.
— New Jersey MVC (@NJ_MVC) August 21, 2020

Eatontown, Toms River, Hazlet, Lakewood and the Manahawkin offices already reached their maximum capacities for the day shortly after the Freehold location closed, according to the MVC website.

A spokesperson from the agency confirmed that the Freehold Licensing Center and Freehold Inspection Station reopened later on Friday for business following power restoration.

"Freehold Licensing Center and Inspection Station experienced a power outage today and were unable to process transactions until approximately 12:30pm when JCP&L restored power," said MVC spokesperson William Connolly.

Friday morning’s outage comes amid a months-long backup for New Jersey MVC offices, with hundreds of eager customers lining up in queues across the state each day. Many offices have reached their allotted capacity within hours of opening since the Murphy administration allowed the agency to reopen in July.

“Freehold DMV has no power. Half the line was sent home. People in line took off work to get their licenses,” wrote one disgruntled social media user.

@GovMurphy Freehold DMV has no power. Half the line was sent home. People in line took off work to get their licenses.
— Michelle George (@michgeo) August 21, 2020

Thanks for reading! Have a news tip? Email nicole.rosenthal@patch.com.
Want to write for Patch? Click here.
Click here to get Patch email notifications, or get breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our app, download here.