‘Skip the Trip’ a Big Hit in NJ

Skip the Trip is paying off, in more ways than one.

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) has announced the drivers’ license renewal by mail program has hit the 500,000 mark, and the average customer wait time in the 10 busiest agency offices has been reduced by 45 percent.

"During this busy holiday season, we offer our customers the 'gift of time' through the Administration's successful Skip the Trip program," said Raymond Martinez, chairman and chief administrator of MVC. "We're pleased that so many people have taken us up on our invitation to stay home, renew by mail and spend their time doing the things they want to do."

The Skip the Trip program was first launched in July 2012, and offered to those eligible individuals who were born on or before Dec. 1, 1964. The program was then expanded to eligible customers of all ages in August 2013 for those whose licenses were due for renewal in October.

Through the Skip the Trip program, drivers and non-driver ID holders only have to complete their renewal application, enclose a check or money order with the appropriate fee and within 10 days of receipt of payment, a new four-year driver’s license or non-driver ID is issued and delivered to them through the mail. The secure renewal process utilizes the customer’s existing photo and address on record with the MVC.

Skip the Trip is made possible because of enhanced MVC security procedures that utilize state-of-the-art facial recognition technology to confirm eligible customers’ identities prior to mailing a renewal notice. Customers who are offered the chance to renew by mail and choose to visit an agency instead will be required to present 6 Points of Identification.