RANDOLPH — Shorter wait times, better customer service, and no online transaction fees are a few of the initiatives that the Christie Administration is promising as part of an overhaul of the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission.

Gov. Chris Christie announced the planned changes during a press conference Wednesday at the Randolph MVC.

According to Christie, the initiatives will gives state motorists more online options for conducting business with the MVC and will also make certain transactions more convenient.

In 2017, the state will also launch two mobile agency units where drivers can perform all of the same transactions as they would at an MVC, except driving tests and obtaining titles. Christie said the MVC is also taking steps that will allow customers to renew their registrations through AAA agencies.

Some of the other overhaul plans include:

  • A driver’s license express process: This allows customers to bypass the ID check stations when renewing their licenses. Some MVC agencies have already began implementing this program.
  • Improved customer service: Earlier this year, Christie ordered enhanced MVC employees to participate in customer service training, which focused on basic customer service skills such as active listening, communication and conflict resolution.
  • Skip the trip: This program allows drivers to renew their licenses or state-issued ID cards by mail, as long as the picture hasn't expired. According to the Christie administration, 1.4 million people have already renewed their licenses without the need to go to an agency every four years. Christie said 79 percent of all renewalswill be eligible for Skip the Trip between now and December.
  • Renovations: Officials say six new MVC agencies were built and several have undergone construction.
  • License expiration date changes: Christie is asking the NJ Legislature to pass a bill changing expiration dates on licenses from the last day of the month to customer's birthdays in order to reduce wait times at agencies that are typical toward the end of each month.
  • No more online fees: Online transaction fees will be eliminated by Oct. 1 to encourage people to conduct MVC business online.

Christie's announcement comes two weeks after state Democrats held a press conference at the Rahway MVC stating that the Senate Legislative Oversight Committee would conduct hearings to look into computer glitches and long lines at the Motor Vehicle Commission offices. Senate President Steve Sweeney said the MVC collects between $1.5 and $2 billion a year from state drivers.

Toniann Antonelli is a social content producer for NJ 101.5. She can be reached at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.

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