NJ Teens Struggle To Find Drivers License Appointments Amid COVID

NEW JERSEY — Teens who are trying to get their driver's license are facing an unexpected roadblock: no appointments are available.

Student drivers who need to take the written test or apply for a permit are finding that there are no appointments available at licensing centers across the state.

A spokesperson for the state Motor Vehicle Commission said the agency is experiencing an unusually high demand for first-time licenses and permits. The MVC has issued 65 percent more permits than usual for this time of year.

The surge in demand stems from multiple factors including COVID-19 related staffing challenges, more students seeking permits and tests at agencies instead of taking them through their schools and a backlog of teens who couldn’t take the test last year due to the pandemic.

Other factors include an increase in no-show appointments and the recent expanded eligibility for new licenses. On May 1, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) began allowing undocument residents to apply for standard driver's licenses and non-driver identification cards.

“To better meet demand, the NJMVC has been adding appointments for new drivers, moving other transactions online to NJMVC.gov, enhancing staffing, and developing innovative approaches to boost capacity and reduce the high number of no-shows,” said William Connolly, an MVC spokesperson.

The no-show appointments have been driven by customers booking multiple appointments using different email addresses. The MVC is fixing software in its scheduling system to prevent future issues, Connolly said.

The agency is also looking to partner with computer labs and laptop stations so they can offer knowledge tests at offsite locations to alleviate the demand for the written part of the test.

With schools back in session across New Jersey, Connolly expects individual agencies will start to see less demand.

“Our capacity to process new drivers is improving as students are again able to get permits and knowledge tests at school instead of agencies, while fewer employees are taking COVID-based leave,” Connolly said.

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