Oakland NJ Licensing Center

Line has a tendency to build up during busier times of the month, be prepared to wait outside. Staff is a little slow but friendly enough.

Location is in as strip mall and visit was during early COVID-19 reopening. Location was understaffed due to some of them having gotten infected. Despite having an appointment, I still had to wait 2 hours because the location did not open on time. Purpose of my visit was to register a new vehicle, which they would not allow to me done through the website and had to be done in person. A simple temperature check was done upon entry by a security guard, who also checked my cell phone to make sure I had an appointment. Social distancing inside the faciity was followed through stickers and lines on the floor indicated by masking tape. This means fewer people inside and more time spent waiting outside in the cold weather.

I need handicap placard

Yesterday I accompanied my wife to the Oakland MV. She walks with a cane and needed assistance. She was getting a license renewal and a 6-point ID. We were doing very well until we got to the ID check. When we were motioned up to the window I knew we were in trouble by the expression of hate from the woman behind the window. She checked my wifes 71 yr old birth certificate and noticed a little see through scotch tape on the back, not the front and not blocking anything of importance. She said its not acceptable. Then she called somone on the phone and I heard her say "a lot" where there was just a little. She repeated it was unacceptable and I calmly stated to her that she was being unreasonable for not accepting what we gave her. All the while with this expression of hate. Then she loudly called the security guy over who was very civil and polite and I could tell he was humouring her by holding open the door for me and asking me to wait outside. No problem I said until the woman behind the glass wanted something else from my wife. They then sent a supervisor out for me and brought me back in to give her something else that wasn't needed since they weren't going to give her the 6-point ID to begin with. It was just more harassment. I really feel we were reverse discriminated against based on our obvious race (white) and the hateful expression on her face. I know we can't be the first or 50th people who have had problem with this person in the middle window on 9/15/22 at about 3:30pm. We were really treated badly.

found directions confusing and appointment scheduling unsatisfactory

Overall a mixed experience. The employees can use some training in consumer interactions to make a stressful environment a little more bearable.
The employees who dealt with my wife and son were abrupt, rigid, confrontational and unhelpful needing resolution from the facility manager. On the other hand, persons who helped me, especially Rashmi were true professional with kind demeanor, adroit and focused in their work making complicated task of transferring multiple out of state document transitions in matter of minutes ( which I was warned at the time of check in , may take the entire day or a revisit).

My tips would be:
The Oakland NJCMV office is in a strip mall hidden in plain sight.
Make appointment. Arrive on time, study the process beforehand on internet. Come prepared with the exact documents preferably all forms filled. Follow staff instructions and the flow is well designed and procedures are efficient .