The Manahawkin NJ DMV offices are two Motor Vehicle Commission sites serving southern Ocean County: the Manahawkin MVC agency at 712 East Bay Avenue, a licensing center and vehicle center, and the state inspection station at 220 Recovery Road. Together they cover licenses, REAL ID, titles, registrations and inspections. The agency needs appointments for most business; the inspection station doesn’t. Road tests are given at Miller Air Park in Berkeley Township.
Manahawkin NJ DMV Offices at a Glance
| Facility | Address | Hours | Handles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manahawkin MVC agency | 712 E. Bay Ave, Manahawkin Plaza, Suite 9, Manahawkin, NJ 08050 | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Saturday, 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. | Licenses, permits, IDs, REAL ID, knowledge tests, titles, registrations and plates |
| Manahawkin inspection station | 220 Recovery Rd, Manahawkin, NJ 08050 | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Saturday, 7:00 a.m.–noon | Free state inspections without an appointment |
Neither facility publishes a direct phone number. Call MVC customer service at (609) 292-6500, 8:30 a.m.–4:15 p.m., Monday–Friday, or the inspection line at (888) 656-6867.
Which Manahawkin Facility Do You Need?
| If you need to… | Go to | Appointment? |
|---|---|---|
| Renew a license you can’t renew online, get a permit or take a knowledge test | Agency, East Bay Avenue | Yes |
| Get a REAL ID | Agency, East Bay Avenue | Yes |
| Title, register or renew registration for a vehicle | Agency, East Bay Avenue | Yes |
| Return plates or get a disability placard | Agency, East Bay Avenue | No, walk in |
| Get a vehicle inspected | Inspection station, Recovery Road | No |
| Take a road test | Miller Air Park, Berkeley Township | Yes |
Services at Each Manahawkin Facility
| Service | Agency (East Bay Ave) | Inspection station (Recovery Rd) |
|---|---|---|
| Driver licenses, permits and non-driver IDs | Yes, by appointment | No |
| REAL ID | Yes, by appointment | No |
| Knowledge tests | Yes, by appointment | No |
| Titles, registrations and plates | Yes, by appointment | No |
| Name changes, placards, plate returns | Yes, walk-in | No |
| Vehicle inspections and reinspections | No | Yes, no appointment |
| Replacement inspection stickers | No | Yes |
| Road tests | No | No |
Appointments and Walk-Ins
Book agency appointments through the MVC’s appointment scheduler: choose the appointment type, such as Renewal, REAL ID or New title or registration, then Manahawkin and a time. Our NJ MVC appointment guide explains each type. The agency takes walk-ins for name and gender marker changes, probationary licenses, disability placards, plate returns and permit validation. The inspection station serves vehicles as they arrive; check wait times on NJinspections.com or at (609) 620-7992.
Hours and Holiday Closures
The agency is open Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. and Saturday, 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. The inspection station is open Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. and Saturday, 7:00 a.m.–noon, so on Saturdays it opens an hour earlier and closes three hours earlier than the agency. Both close on Sundays and state holidays; expect closures on Columbus Day (Monday, October 12, 2026), Election Day (Tuesday, November 3), Veterans Day (Wednesday, November 11) and Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 26).
What to Bring
To the Agency: License and ID business runs on New Jersey’s 6 Points of ID system: one primary document plus secondary documents to reach six points, two proofs of address for a REAL ID and proof of your Social Security number. For a registration, bring the title, your ID, proof of New Jersey insurance and Form BA-49, plus Form OS/SS-UTA for an out-of-state title.
To the Inspection Station: Bring a valid driver’s license (the driver must be 17 or older), the vehicle’s registration document, not an online renewal receipt, and a New Jersey insurance card. Our guide to New Jersey car inspection explains what’s checked and what happens if you fail.
Fees and Payment
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Auto license, initial or renewal | $24 |
| REAL ID | $35 |
| Permit | $10 |
| Title transfer | $60 ($85 with one lien) |
| Registration, most passenger cars | $46.50–$84 a year |
| State inspection | No fee |
The MVC accepts American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Discover cards, checks, money orders and cash. Purchases are taxed at 6.625% when you title the vehicle; our guide on how to register a car in New Jersey has the details.
Road Tests for Manahawkin Drivers
Neither Manahawkin facility gives road tests. The closest site is the Miller Air Park road test site at Route 530 and Mule Road in Berkeley Township, by appointment, weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. After you pass, walk in at the Manahawkin agency for your probationary license.
Renew Online and Skip the Trip
Most license renewals, including REAL ID renewals, and most registration renewals can be done on the MVC’s online services page, along with address changes and replacement licenses or registrations.
Other MVC Offices Near Manahawkin
- Toms River MVC: 1861 Hooper Ave, Toms River; licensing only
- Lakewood MVC: 1195 Route 70, Lakewood; vehicle services
- Cardiff MVC: 6725 Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township; licensing and vehicle services
- Mays Landing inspection station: 1477 19th St, Mays Landing; inspections and road tests
For every agency, inspection station and road test site, see our guide to New Jersey MVC offices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Two: the MVC agency at 712 East Bay Avenue, for licensing and vehicle business, and the state inspection station at 220 Recovery Road.
Yes. Register it at the agency on East Bay Avenue by appointment, then take it to the inspection station on Recovery Road, which doesn’t need an appointment.
At the agency, yes, for most transactions. The inspection station doesn’t take appointments.
The agency is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The inspection station is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to noon.
No. The closest road test site is Miller Air Park, at Route 530 and Mule Road in Berkeley Township.
Yes. State inspection stations don’t charge a fee. Bring your license, registration and New Jersey insurance card.
Conclusion
The Manahawkin NJ DMV offices split the work for southern Ocean County: the agency at 712 East Bay Avenue handles licenses, REAL ID, titles and registrations by appointment, and the inspection station at 220 Recovery Road inspects vehicles for free without one. Check which hours apply, bring the right documents for each, and plan on Miller Air Park for road tests.
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