Chris Christie Ends Online Driver's License Fees, Makes Other MVC Changes

Gov. Chris Christie ended online driver's license fees and took other steps aimed at reducing Motor Vehicle Commission wait times and costs on Wednesday.

Christie visited the Randolph MVC agency to announce the new initiatives and improvements to existing programs that he says will cut transaction times and make it easier for drivers to access services.

The changes include:

• To reduce demand at the end of the month, Christie called on the state Legislature to pass a bill that would change driver license and registration expiration dates to drivers’ birthdays instead of the last day of the month.
• To encourage use of MVC’s online tools, the MVC will eliminate online transaction fees by Oct. 1.
• The MVC will continue to post on its website updated wait times at each agency location and identify low-volume agencies, as well as offer online scheduling of driver tests and online suspension/restoration appointments.
• Starting in early 2017, the MVC will launch two mobile agency units that will be able to perform all transactions that existing agencies can, with the exception of driver testing and titles. They will be deployed in the event of unforeseen agency outages and also will be utilized to service the needs of varying populations.
• The MVC also is working with AAA to develop a system for customers to be able to renew their registration through certain AAA offices.

“Providing excellent customer service at MVC and throughout state government has been a key component of my administration,” said Christie. “MVC is continually looking for ways to enhance the customer experience and streamline the transaction process. With these new initiatives, customers will have more options to conduct their business either online or at a variety of locations with some express options."

Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon, R-Monmouth, unveiled legislation later Wednesday to curb wait times at motor vehicle offices.

O’Scanlon’s proposal would change driver’s license expiration dates to each driver’s birth date. Currently, licenses in New Jersey expire at the end of each driver’s birth month – leaving MVC offices with long wait times at the end of the month that deal with a large volume of license renewals, he said.

“I’ve been working with Governor Christie’s administration on legislation that would ease the long wait times that New Jersey drivers experience when renewing their license at their local MVC office," he said. "I am pleased that the Governor has thrown his support behind this common sense solution to a serious problem facing New Jersey’s drivers. I urge legislative leadership in both houses to post the bill - which will be introduced during our next session day - so we can end unnecessarily long wait times for New Jersey residents and drivers.

Deputy Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco, R-Morris, offered support for Christie's proposals and plans.

“The process should be more efficient. I proudly support the governor’s reasonable changes," he said. "These reforms will increase satisfaction, reduce transaction times and help eliminate frustration levels for New Jersey drivers. I look forward to working with the administration and plan to sponsor the legislation implementing these reforms.”

To reduce the time of license renewal transactions, many agencies have implemented a driver’s license express process that allows customers to bypass the ID check stations.

MVC also has increased the number of "Enhanced Digital Driver’s License" cameras in 10 of its busiest agencies — Bakers Basin, Springfield, East Orange, Turnersville, Somerville, South Plainfield, Edison, Rahway, North Bergen and Wallington.

“AAA is proud to work with several states to provide motor vehicle services at our offices,” said Cathleen Lewis, director of AAA Northeast public affairs and government relations. “We look forward to working with the administration to provide similar services for the State of New Jersey.”

The MVC has started the process of converting to a central issuance system to issue IDs from a central location rather than through individual agencies, which will reduce transaction times and ensure maximum security throughout the process.

Earlier this year, Christie ordered enhanced customer service training for MVC employees which focused on fundamental customer service skills, such as active listening, effective communication and conflict resolution.

Photo: Gov. Christie's office