Expecting a nightmare, my visit to NJ MVC turned out to be a dream
For a very long time after the restrictions were lifted, we heard about the nightmares unfolding at the New Jersey Motor Vehicles Commission. I was so expecting to spend a day in MVC hell that I cleared my whole day to spend there.
Fortunately, I was wrong.
My trip turned out to be an absolute dream. Let me explain.
What started as a courtesy plate transfer failure turned into a registration and license suspension that required me to travel to Eatontown MVC to clear the matter. As I was doing catering, I didn’t need an appointment.
NJ MVC Eatontown via Google Maps
As I said, I had planned to spend the day there. It would be my luck if the entire population of New Jersey needed to have their licenses reinstated and they would all be ahead of me.
I arrived around 10:30 am and was greeted by a very friendly policeman who directed me to where I needed to go and gave me a number.
Within minutes I was in front of an employee named Lisa who suffered from my lengthy explanation and was very helpful and courteous. She even went the extra mile to make sure I understood what was going on and why it happened.
Shortly after, I was given the letter I needed for my court appearance – like I said, long story – and I was completely out within 30 minutes.
I was so amazed that I went back and told Lisa that I wanted everyone to know. Later, I received a call from MVC’s press secretary, William Connolly, who emailed me this statement.
“Over the past few years, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission has dramatically transformed its operations to make our services more convenient and efficient.
Now, 80% of all New Jersey motor vehicle transactions can be completed quickly online at NJMVC.gov, including nearly all license and registration renewals. Only about 20% of transactions require residents to visit an agency in person. This greatly reduced the number of customers at state motor vehicle agencies.
Most in-person services are now run by appointment, eliminating the long lines associated with the MVC in the past, with appointments widely available across the state, including driver’s licenses for the first time. We also offer several walk-in services, such as the suspension services you accessed at our regional service center in Eatontown earlier today.
All of these improvements allowed us to process a record number of transactions last year, nearly 12.3 million, the first time we exceeded 12 million in a single year. And we are on track to break that record again this year.
If there’s one thing we can impress on you and your listeners, it’s this: When you need Motor Vehicle Commission services, your first stop should be NJMVC.gov. More than 30 online services are available on our website, and there is a good chance that you can carry out your transaction there, without having to travel. If you need an appointment, you also schedule it on the website.”
The views expressed in the above post are those of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Steve Trevelise only. Follow him on Twitter @realstevetrev.
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