Hours-Long Waits, Long Lines Mark Freehold MVC’s Reopening

FREEHOLD, NJ – On Tuesday morning, the Freehold Motor Vehicle Commission center experienced more than your average wait time. Hundreds of individuals waited in a line that wrapped around the parking lot and building, with some even towing lawn chairs for the anticipated wait.

After four months under lockdown, New Jersey MVC centers opened once again on Tuesday, drawing long lines and huddled crowds, according to witnesses. While road tests and inspections resumed June 29, services such as title transfers, first-time licenses and out-of-state identification transfers only became available on July 7.

During busier parts of the day, the line at the Freehold location measured nearly half a mile long with about 1,000 individuals in line, according to one witness, with the queue extending to the nearby State 33 highway exit.

“I stood on line for 6 hours today at freehold dmv and didn’t even make it anywhere close to the entrance up,” one Twitter user wrote. “People that came at 7 am still waiting at 1 pm left because they didn’t even make it close to getting in either!”

Across the state, agencies are reporting confusion, chaos and traffic congestion on roads adjacent to MVC branches. Lakewood and Lodi MVC centers shut down entirely to new customers, while locations in Eatontown and Springfield showed overwhelmingly long lines. As NJ.com reports, a fight broke out among people queuing at the Trenton branch.

@GovMurphy you’re a clown @News12NJ Freehold DMV line of over 500 people wrapping around the parking lot and building. So much for shutting down life for months and social distancing! Really doing wonders now pic.twitter.com/VxEL4k0vgj
— dana felise (@dfelise12) July 7, 2020

“As we reopen today, MVC agencies are experiencing extraordinarily high customer volumes,” said NJ MVC Chief Administrator Sue Fulton. “While we understand the frustration of our customers in this extremely challenging and difficult time, our employees are doing the best they can to keep everyone safe and work as efficiently as possible."

Those braving the long waits on Tuesday will be the first to notice several important changes to MVC operations, with one of the biggest alterations being the new designation of either a Vehicle Center or a Licensing Center for each location. While vehicle centers will manage registration/title transfers, license plate transactions and salvage titles, licensing centers will handle first-time licenses and permits, out-of-state transfers and expired forms of identification.

Freehold DMV looking like a tailgate rn pull up I’m abouta start selling pretzels and waters pic.twitter.com/VorU7CBfhC
— heineken (@KeepABlickyOnMe) July 7, 2020

The Freehold MVC on Okerson Road has since been dubbed a Licensing Center, whereas the Hazlet MVC in Airport Plaza is designated a Vehicle Center.

Face coverings are required at all MVC agencies. Those who cannot wear face coverings are asked to make alternative arrangements.

Representatives from the MVC urge those that can complete transactions online, such as replacements, changes of address, and standard driver license renewals, to do so online at NJMVC.gov. In fact, any transaction that can be done online will not be available in-person to reduce crowding. For a list of all transactions that can be completed online, click here.

“We look forward to reopening as a reimagined MVC that will allow us to streamline services and keep crowds down,’’ said Fulton. “We have to take care of the people who don’t have other options.”