MVC Announces More Changes To Address Lines Amid NJ Coronavirus

NEW JERSEY – State officials announced on Wednesday that they made more changes to Motor Vehicle Commission services as long lines continue to plague the agency amid the coronavirus crisis. The changes come as Gov. Phil Murphy, speaking during a news conference, announced 430 new coronavirus cases and seven more deaths (you can watch it here, below).

Murphy said the MVC is still "digging out" of a backlog caused by months of shutdowns and that the state is trying to address people who have struggled to access the agency's online services (see list of changes below).

"If you're frustrated I don't blame you," Murphy said.

The update comes as the number of cases rose to 200,988 and 14,291 confirmed deaths have been reported in New Jersey. Read more: NJ Coronavirus, School Reopen Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

The changes also come just days after an outage shut down MVC agencies across the state as hundreds waited in line. One man even collapsed. Read more: MVC, Driver's License Services Reopen In NJ After Shutting Down

Here are the new changes:

• The Motor Vehicle Commission announced the expiration dates for all valid New Jersey commercial driver licenses and commercial learner permit that expired on or after March 1, 2020 have been extended to December 31, 2020.
• In addition, medical certifications for valid CDL and CLP holders have been extended, dependent on expiration dates.
• Medical certifications that expired on or after March 1, 2020 but before June 1, 2020 have been extended until October 31, 2020. Medical certifications that expired on or after June 1, 2020 have been extended to December 31, 2020.

“Commercial drivers are essential for keeping our economy and people moving,’’ MVC Chief Administrator Sue Fulton said. “Extending the expiration dates for CDLs and CLPs in New Jersey will keep our truckers and bus drivers on the road, where they belong, while at the same time reducing the need for visits to MVC Licensing Centers.’’

Customers are advised that CDLs, CLPs, and medical certifications that expired prior to March 1, 2020 are not extended. Medical certifications issued for less than 90 days are not extended, either.

The MVC also has waived the requirement for CLP holders to wait 14 days to take the CDL skills test. The waiver is in effect until December 31, 2020.

The extensions announced by the MVC follow a recent waiver from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which granted similar extensions to drivers with expired CDLs, CLPs, and medical certifications.

The MVC previously announced expiration date extensions for CDLs and CLPs in March and June, as part of its ongoing response to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Murphy also has signed two bills to help get more driver's out of the MVC lines. Read more: Gov. Murphy Signs 2 Laws To Get NJ Drivers Out Of Long MVC Lines

Murphy said he hasn't ruled out more granting additional extensions on driver's services as a way to reduce the size of lines waiting outside the MVC agencies.

"We haven't said no to really anything at this point. They're chopping through a tsunami of a backlog," Murphy said.

William Connolly, a spokesman for the MVC, has also addressed some issues – and potential myths – that the MVC has been dealing with as it's worked through months of backlog since the MVC reopened in July.

"We are constantly re-evaluating our procedures to see how we can serve the most customers with the least inconvenience during this unique time," he said.

Here is how the MVC is dealing with its issues of long lines and backlog:

• Demand is starting to slow across the state, though it continues to be higher than last year at this time, Connolly said.
• The MVC has caught up on road tests; commercial driver's license testing; driver knowledge testing; and inspections.
• Almost all registration renewals, and a majority of license renewals, are now available online, along with other services such as address changes and duplicates for lost documents.
• Despite a difficult indoor working environment, safety measures so far have proven effective, Connolly said.
• Among the MVC's 1,200-plus employees, the agency has had four COVID-19 positives – two of which were in the same location at roughly the same time – in the nearly 60 days since reopening.
• The MVC continues to expand online services; for example, the agency recently added the Discover card to its payment options, and will soon allow those with temporary visas to replace a lost license online, he said.

Connolly said the agency continues to combat "myths," including:

• No one needs to camp out overnight, Connolly said.
• On any day other than Saturday, if you arrive by 8 a.m. at all but a few of the MVC centers, you will get a ticket and be served that day.
• The remaining centers report reaching capacity by 10 a.m., so you may need to arrive earlier – in some cases, as early as 6 a.m. – but not overnight, he said.
• Of note, Saturday has always been the busiest day with the longest lines, and continues to be a challenge. "We strongly encourage customers to avoid in-person visits on Saturday if possible," Connolly said.
• No one needs to wait all day. In all cases, once the center opens at 8 a.m., MVC staff will distribute tickets up to the capacity for the day.
• If you are not in the first few dozen, staff will advise you approximately when you need to be back on location for your service, he said. In most cases, they'll take your cell number and you will get a text – but nobody needs to stand there all day, he said.
• Lines outside are not necessarily a sign of dysfunction, Connolly said. The MVC "simply can't cram 100 or 200 people inside an agency like we used to," he said..

Watch Murphy here:

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